1997 Ford Explorer temp gauge is pegged hot but motor is co

If the truck is not over heating and the temp is high u should try a new temperature switch. Also what makes those newer vehicles read wrong is if u just use water in your cooling system and not atifreeze. You should use half and half or even better 90 perceent antifreeze and 10 water thats what I do. If none of this works for u your temp guage is bad.U can also use a universal temp guage that is sold at auto parts stores and this way u wont have to buy the whole cluster and save money, it connects to the original temp switch, only do this if your guage is bad and u wanna save money. Go to www. Kragen. Com look at the temp guages and temp switches. Good luck. By the way the temp switch is on the lower intake