thanks. what about this sensor should i focus on considering my symptoms?

 

To me it sounds more like a wiring issue. Intermittent things like this typically are not caused by a faulty sensor...

 

where on the wiring should i look for a short?

 

Can't answer that question... Look for places where the wiring harness may be pinched. Look for abrasions to the harness casing. Other signs of abuse... Wiring faults are one of those things you just have to get your hands dirty.

 

could this have caused my temp sensor codes?

 

That is a distinct possibility.

 

could that cause the spark plug wire directly under that to arc to that open connection?

 

If the insulation on the plug wire is intact, it shouldn't.

 

just curious cuz it hasnt stalled like it had been in the last 400 miles since I changed that coolant temp sensor... although it still seems to be missing. It idles rough unless I've been doing some highway driving and when it does idle rough, if I keep it in park or neutral and rev it to about 2k you can hear and feel it missing....why? bad plug wires?The SES is still on as well. Does pending DTC codes mean stored or current?

 

If you didn't clear the codes after replacing the coolant temp sensor, it could still have a stored code for that. After a few drive cycles that code should clear though.