95 explorer coolant temp guage problem

[kathyexplorer]

Occasionally over the last 2 months (3 times) when I start driving in the morning after about a mile, the temp guage starts to quickly move up to redline but when I get out and pop the hood, the engine is obviously not overheating, upper radiator hose not yet warm ie thermostat not yet open, then the guage will suddenly drop back to normal operating temp. Appears the problem is with either the coolant temp sending unit or the dashboard guage? Are there 2 coolant temp sensing units? one for the engine/computer and one for the dashboard guage? Can someone help me figure out the problem and fix? Thanks

 

[StevoR]

My 92 has two temperature senders one for the computer and one for the temperature gauge. I would check the one for the temperture gauge located near your thermostat. They are less than $20 at AutoZone.
StevoR