temp gauge conundrum *help*

[turdsmell#2]

Hey all, it's been a while since I have been on as I had sold my ol turdsmell. I have purchased a new one that is proving to be a pain. Without getting too much into the other issues, I do want to get the temp addresses asap, so I can drive the thing without worry of an overheating situation. It all started with the temp gauge jumping around erratically right before the water pump went. I put in a temp switch from an old motor and got nothing. Just a dead needle that didn't do anything. I grounded the switch out and it jumped all the way to max hot, so I don't think it is the gauge. So, I bought a brand new duralast switch and installed it. The gauge jumped straight to hot again. WTF? any idea's on what might be going on?

[dlb]

all that is involved in that system is the temp sender, the wire, and the gauge. you tested the gauge (which passed) and replaced the sender so i would follow the wire and look for damage. the sheath is probably broken around some corner, causing it to ground out intermittently.