Every time I turn the car to power, the temp gauge just shoots up to hot and the motor isn't even running yet and its still cold. I don't know if I plugged in something wrong but it seems like its reading backwards. Any ideas?

 

The temp sensor wire is shorted to ground. The temp sensor is a very small plug located on the driver's side. You're going to have to chase the wire back to find it.

Unless the sensor is actually internally shorted. Try unplugging it first.

 

OK thanks, I'll go try that.

 

^My friend AGreen is dead on.