When the engine hesitates;(esp. when cold) the strange thing is that when it does hiccup, each time the tempature gauge shows it by pegging temporarly to hot. I am positive the engine is not running hot. When running properly the temp. gauge shows normal. OK experts, what's is the connection ?
The engine only does this 5-10% of the time but keeps running. 220k miles.

 

Put a thermometer in the radiator, to check that your gauge and sensors are reading correctly. That would be the first step in diagnosing in order to solve your issue, IMO.

 

It isn't overheating. It can do this 10 seconds after starting.

 

a poor connection, the hiccup prob temporary loosens the connection causing the gauge to peg till the engine goes back into place. the hiccup itself could be from the bad connection

 

Connection. What connection. A loose plug wire. Surely a loose connection on the temperature gauge isn't going to make the engine falter, is it.
Thanks

 

loose ground wire