David stated,

>>...The gauge will rise 2-3 needle widths before the fan comes on, and more before it shifts to high speed.  That's the way it's designed....<<

   It's in the manual...  From the '89 book:

   "When the engine is working hard and in stop-and-go traffic or in
hot weather, the needle can show a very high temperature, but this is
not serious as long as the warning light does not flash."

  I've driven an entire day through the midwest when the ambient
temperature was above 100F, aircon on and the temp gauge needle
"stuck" at 3/4 scale, and IIRC, the high speed fan never operated.

Geo/ATL