This was an ok running 2006 ranger 4 cyl auto tranny salvage truck. After I bought it, drove it to and had it checked at the BMV I put about 200 miles on the trip and parked it for a couple days. It did not want to start back up after a week, so I shot some starter fluid in the air filter and it started. I let it warm up for about 5 minutes it ran rough but ran. It has been two more days and I go to start it it acts like it is out of gas, so I shoot some starter fluid and it starts, runs rough and dies and the temp gauge light flashes and the temp gauge goes all the way to hot and back to cold back and forth. I was told the temp sensor or thermostat has gone bad, and I have an overheat condition reading preventing the truck from starting. Has anyone had an issue like this? Where is the temp sensor? Where is the thermostat. any thoughts?

 

Found the temp sensor it is located between the spark plugs up top under a rubber cup dome, careful not to pull the wires out lift it up and carefully un clip the electrical connector to bypass the emergency shut off. I believe I may have a stuck thermostat. I get heat rather quickly and the metal pipe near the back of the block gets hot as does the hose running to the fill/overflow tank. Neither hose going to the radiator got hot after 15 minutes, the pipes going to the water pump got warm but not hot. At least I can take it to the shop if I need to now.