Very hard to diagnose intermittent problems, except to say loose connections are probably the culprit most of the time. The water temp sensor is to the right of the cold start time switch. Both are almost directly underneath the throttle body, just 3 or 3 1/2 hairs to the right. The connectors for both are only a couple inches apart and both face forward (radiator) on my 88 truck.

Richard S.
88 Toy 4x4 Truck, 22RE, 3"BL, 5-Speed, Muds
Proud to be an American. Blessed to be a Texan!