Erratic Temp Gauge (CTS?)

[89SiR]

92 Ka24DE

Lately my car has been pulsating a litte under hard acceleration, i thought it was my Timing chain Tensioner starting to fail. but then i started having a 1200 RPM idle when i came to a stop. Today on the way home from work, my temp gauge kept rising and falling like crazy. Although it never went above the normal temp range, i still dont wanna be sitting a stoplight for a long time and have my engine start to overheat.

I guess my real question is could this be so easy as a stuck thermostat or will i need a new coolant temp. sensor.

If i do need a new CTS, i'd like to get new plugs for them as well. Can anyone recomend a cheap website where i can get these items.

TIAJeremy

[navysnail]

that could be a bad connection on the temp gauge sensor. it is completely different then the coolant temp sensor, the CTS only gives a signal to the ECU, not the gauge itself.

as for the idle and pulsing, start with checking your MAF, a search will bring up the procedure