temp sensor,ac comp shutdown problem

[nepper]

'02,9-3,se, start car-temp gauge needle starts up toward midpoint indicating coolant fluid is warming, resistance of thermistor(sensor) is decreasing allowing completion of circuit to ecu. ac compressor on-ac operating fine. after about 10 minutes, temp guage needle drops to zero, ac compressor stops. as if coolant fluid is cold. stop car, wait 3 minutes, restart car, ac compressor comes back on, ac operating fine. temp guage needle back up to midpoint and remains there. no more problem w/continuous driving. cycle repeats after car is stopped overnight. have replaced sensor twice, faulty wiring to sensor? thermostat? main computer?

[nordwulf]

Faulty thermostat is usually the cause for temp gauge to drop to zero.