thanks for the photos man, that's saved me a lot of guessing game crap. i picked up a fresh temp switch (as i find it's called) today and will try getting it in there when i have the time, just wanted to thank you for the info first. i hope that's what it is, as the other possibilities (bad gauge/bad wiring) are things i don't want to deal with.

unfortunately my girlfriend's car died so my focus has shifted to getting my other car (largely ignored for a year or so) operational. i find i'm a lot less adventurous when i know any mistakes are going to keep us both from getting to work.