2004 Ranger Temp Gauge problems

[redneck15431]

Recently on my 2004 4.0, the plastic housing that holds the thermostat had split at the seams and made my truck look like a steam engine going down the road. Originally, I think the culprit was a bad radiator cap combined with heat and cold conditions outside...anyways onto my problem...I took everything apart to find out that my truck has two temp. sensors. I called my local Ford dealer for replacement sensors since they didn't look so great and gave him the part numbers...I had two of the same exact sensor on my truck, which was factory, it had not been touched, and the parts guy told me that I should have two different ones, two different part numbers. One that sends info to the computer and the other that sends info to the gauge. So I ordered the parts and put them in the truck, which I did orient properly thanks to a drawing that was provided by the parts guy. However, the two connectors on the harness in the truck are exactly the same. One wire shorter than the other. I used my common sense and plugged the shorter one onto the sensor closest to the breakout point in the harness, and the longer one the furthest away. Upon turning the key in the on position, my gauge spikes up to the HOT position and does not move no matter the temperature of the truck.

My question is that did I get a bum sensor? Do I have the sensor connectors swapped? Is there a ground that may have gotten pulled off? I would really like to get some guidance before fighting that thing again, that thermostat housing was a big pain in the ass to change out...everything is in the way and harnesses are ran so tight that they could be a guitar string. If it were any tighter in there, I would have to pull off the intake to do it. The truck is not overheating and I'm fairly certain I got all air pockets out of the system. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!