Wierd Overheating Problem

[Badazzharley]

My 2002 T Bird has come down with a strange problem. It will start and drive fine for about 3 to 5 minutes then the temp gauge pegs hot and it starts running like it's in limp mode. If I tun it off and wait 5 minutes and then start it back up it runs fine for the rest of the trip. Once it sits long enough to get cold the same thing happens again. I've done some investigation and the general consessis is a bad temp. sending unit. Where is the sending unit located? I have looked and looked but can't find it. I probably just need new glasses but could somebody send me to the right location? Thanks in advance.

 

[George]

Could be a thermostat. The ones we have are not so reliable. If replaced, be careful, the gooseneck above it is plastic and probably should also be replaced if you do the thermostat.