coolant gauge acting weird

[Crystal Creek]

Ok, after letting the truck sit for almost four hours in 50* air temp, I got in set the key to the glow plug position, and notice the coolant temp gauge is already reading midway in the normal position. Go to the movies and come out and start the truck, and the same thing. I will check in the morning after a trully cold start. I don't think its a thermastat or I would be overheating. EGT gauge is also reading everything as normal, maybe even a few degrees cooler, as the fall temp set in. What could be causing this? Bad sensor? Please help with some ideas. Thanks guys.

[Crystal Creek]

[Crystal Creek]

Isnt there anyone who can hep???? I dont know if this is a bad sensor or something with the cluster. The gauge went right to the middle of the normal operating range this morning, and the truck sat all night. When I removed the key, all the gauges fell to their normal resting point, but the coolant fell much slower, about 3 seconds. Please help me with some guidence. Where is the coolant temp sensor? Is it hard to replace? Cost?? Or should I start looking in a totally different direction. Please help, I'm beggeing!!! Thanks Guys!

[bismic]

Take a look at these:

Page 9: Component Locations

Page 54: Electrical Components

Without any DTC's, it would seem logical that the ECT sensor was the issue, but it could be the gauge panel.