Temp gauge still goes to high with the ignition on but the engine is not running

SOURCE: high idling at low temp.

Hi,

Offhand, yes this would be normal. The high idle is brought about by the auto choke whose purpose is to hasten the reaching of operating temperature of the engine. The fact that the idle RPM goes down after some time is a good indicator, it tells us that the auto choke is working.

Just a start, do postback how things turned up or should you need additional information. Good luck and Thank you for using FixYa.

SOURCE: 2004 Trailblazer strong smell of exhaust/rotten eggs in interior

sounds like you have a plugged convertor

SOURCE: 2001 dodge stratus engine temperature gauge spikes occasionally

Look for a loose connection to the temperature sender unit on the motor.
If all connections OK, you may need a new temp sender unit.

SOURCE: COBALT TEMP GAUGE READS 250 DEGREES BUT ENGINE

Probably the temp gauge itself. Most of the time it doesn't have a problem but sometimes they do go bad. Did the car ever overheat prior to changing the solenoid?

SOURCE: Code P0118 on Audi A4 - Related to Ignition Coil Problem?

Hi, the sensor on the engine (right at the rear end of the cylinder head) has two separate outputs. One drives the temperature gauge and the other provides data for the engine control unit. The output for the engine control unit is almost certainly faulty and the sensor will need to be replaced. It isn't an expensive item and's not time consuming to replace (1/2 hr) - so you could ask Audi to do it for you when they replace the ignition coils.
Hope that helps Matt..