Temp gauge no go, and Dip stick almost stuck...
 

As i was fleeing Houston, i noticed that my Temp gauge never went past 50*. When my water pump failed just about 500 miles ago, i also had the thermostat replaced. i checked my fuses and they are all good. could it be the cluster or is there something else i can check.

Also my dipstick is Very hard to pull out and push back in. if i dont guide it back in, it would bend in half, easily. Will this cause false readings regarding oil lvl?

bump

With the current outside air temps, I don't believe a stuck open thermostat would give you that low of coolant temps. It might be a loose or corroded connection at the temp sensor which is just below the glow plugs and near the middle of the head.

great, thanks for that info, i will check that out now.

anyone have any ideas why the dip stick would be so hard to put in/pull out? i want to make sure i don't have any incorrect oil level readings.

Blockage or being twisting while being insterted. Or, a damaged tube.