Chevrolet Repair: Engine Coolant Temperature Switch, coolant temperature switch, s10 blazer 4x4

Question
I own a 98' S10 Blazer 4x4 with the 4.3 vortec motor. My SES light came on and I instantly noticed the Temperature gauge was pegged at the 5 o'clock area. The normal area is between around 10 o'clock to around 2 o'clock. The engine runs perfectly and there is no hint that it is over-heating. The overflow bottle has the normal amount of water in it. Is it possible that the wire has came off of the engine coolant temperature switch or the switch has gone bad. If so...where can I find the switch on the engine? Any help you can give me will be greatly apprecciated! Ricky

Answer
Hello Ricky,
I can't honestly say weather the wire coming OFF would peg hot, or if it is SHORTED, or the sender shorted.
But it should be near the thermostat.
Actually, the sensor should be there...there should be a gauge sender on the left side of the engin, near the #1 spark plug I believe.

Really, it sounds like the thermostat might be stuck, but you should be able to tell under the hood if the engine is actually that hot.

Van