Temp gauge always in red

I just swapped over from a jeep. I have a 98 tacoma 4x4 sr5 that I've replaced both coolant temp switches and the gauge still is pegged in the red? When I unplug the back sensor the gauge goes dead. When it's plugged in it stays in the red? Any suggestions?

 

First thing I would do is get a ScangaugeII and plug it into your OBDII port. It will tell you exactly what your temperature is.

It is a known fact that the temp gauges on our Tacoma's are pretty dumb. If your gauge is truely in the red, than you definately have a problem. The gauges really don't move much from normal to overheated(red).

 

Yea the truck can be cold and first time it starts in the morning it goes red? I thought it might be a grounding issue cause the speedometer and odometer stopped also?

 

Cold engine first thing in the morning and it's in the red when you turn the key on before you start it?

But ya, from the speedo and odo not working, there's an electrical problem in the dash.
All we can do from here is suggest checking all fuses (in both fuse blocks, under the dash and under the hood), and scan under the dash for a hacked wiring job from the previous owner. Also look for evidence of water in some of the more obscure areas that might be hard to clean... truck could have been flooded.

 

sounds like u have a wire thats short to ground