all right... I did as Mark suggested.. the round 7 pin connector internal
is pristine, no corrosion... I applied some dielectric grease and put it
back... no go... I grounded the yellow/red wire and bingo the gauge flashed
and the needle went up... nice...
now I'd think that the new temp. sensor I put on was bad out of the box...
could it be?
I ordered another and we will see... now if I put the new one in and the
gauge still not working... would could it be then?

thanks

dan