"somebody" > wrote in message
...
> A $10.00 ECTS (engine coolant temperature sensor) took care of the
> temperature gauge and now it runs fine. The original was the plastic
> version and it had a crack in it. Will change the oil becaus it's due
> and we're done for the day.
>
> Thanks for all who replied!

Lucky guess.
The engine controller 'learns' and adapts (to an extent, at least). Often
times, when you fix one thing, you have to either reset the controller
(remove the battery cable to dump memory or by OBDII) or wait for it to
re-learn the new conditions.

Glad it all worked out for you. -Oppie