Coolant Temperature Gauge
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 1997 GMC Savana Special, 1997 GMC Savana Camper Special, 1997 GMC Savana, 1997 Chevrolet RV Cutaway, and 1997 Chevrolet Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Coolant temperature gauge responds to resistance of coolant temperature sending unit, mounted in cylinder head. Change in resistance changes current flow through gauge, moving pointer toward appropriate reading.