Odd Coolant Temperature Sensor Occurrence

[ARCHINSTL]

The gauge worked fine Tuesday night.
Wednesday night, after a mile or two, I noticed it was still sitting on "zero," and heat was beginning to emanate from the vents.
Now, I am paranoid about keeping a eye on the gauge, as that is how my Beloved Sister fried the head on my '83 in '85 when on an extended loan- she was accustomed to the idiot light in her poor Escort.
I stopped, popped the hood - checked all - everything seemed normal. I repeated that a few miles later at the grocery store.
Ditto when I got home - nothing was amiss. The upper hose was hot and the lower hose was cold and coolant levels were as normal.
Today, I checked the sensor and while its blade did not look oxidized/corroded, I simply rubbed it with my fingers - I also very slightly bent the "tab" on the "plug." It was still kinda loosey on the blade, but I did not want to chance bending it more. I let the engine run for 5-6 minutes and the needle moved. OK?
Tonight I took it on a run to the Post Office, and the gauge worked per normal. I again popped the hood and all was OK on coolant levels and again the upper hose was hot and the lower hose was ice cold. And again, no funny noises.

Has anyone else experienced this? I did a search last night and found no similar reports.
Thanks,
Tom M.

[Petros]

I have seen this on other connectors, not on the sender. If you take the female end of the connector and slightly squeeze it with pliers it will grip better and make a better contact.

[marlinh]

I have had the needle sticking on the gauge. Tap the dash and the needle would pop up to normal.

[splatterdog]

T4 #1 needed a new wire end. Along with general fatigue and corrosion of the terminal the crimp was getting pretty rough and had some broken strands too. I cut back a few inches, just past the hardened area of wire, and ran a new end.

[ARCHINSTL]

It has worked as normal since last Friday.
If it occurs again, I will first try marlinh's suggestion and then splatterdog's; Thanks!
It just seems odd that it worked fine Tuesday night and then at the next drive, it did not; oh well, I sometimes vary in aches and pains from one day to the next ...
Tom M.