High Idle and trouble cold starting...

Hey Everybody,
Looking for a little help here. Ive got a 2002 taco with the 2.7. I just went to replace my head gasket, ended up replacing the entire head and after everything went back together I have a couple problems. The one known problem I have is that when I was disassembling everything, the connector for the Engine Coolant Temp sensor had a cut wire. I ordered a new connector, which is now on the way. Other than that everything looks good and the truck starts.
Here are the problems:
It idles high. When I start it it idles around 1,250 - 1,500 RPM but once it warms up the RPM doesn't drop below 1,250 and generally stays a little higher. Occasionally the RPM will starts to run away, but just revving the engine brings it back down.
The second problem is it does not start well when the engine is cold. This is a big problem, because I live in Alaska. Even 20 degree weather it has a tough time starting. Generally if its cold, it won't start until the battery is on its last crank, and then it magically starts, which is beyond me.
Im not sure if the ECT not being connected would cause these problems, but any insight is appreciated. Also the ECT is all that comes up when I plug in the diagnostic.
Thanks!

 

Without the sensor working the computer goes into fail-safe mode and assumes the coolant is 180F or something like that, and that might explain the hard starting. Maybe it bumps up the idle too. Bottom line is until that sensor is hooked up it's hard to tell if there is another problem.

Is there any way to temporarily hook the wire up while you wait for the new part?

 

No, I tried getting the terminal out of the connector, but had no luck. Not sure how but the wire that got disconnected was about a half inch shorter than the other wire that was still connected, so it doesn't even reach. The replacement I ordered is supposed to have plenty of wire, so that should make up the difference.
Im thinking if that doesn't fully fix it that the IAC will be my next stop
Thanks for the reply