coolant sensor help?

ok can anyone tell me the purpose of the coolant sensor and how it will affect the running of the engine if its not working.
also do any of these symptons point towards this
starting engine from cold and cold start not working just ticks over at 800rpm and runs **** spluttering and bouncing down the road

also temp going way above 95 and never able to cool down with the radiator fans.

any advice?

There is a Coupe technical manual at http://server.hmallett.co.uk.nyud.net:8090/Coupe - This explains the operation of the sensors.
If the temp is going right up, and the fans don't reduce the temp, I would think that your thermostat is broken, and fixed shut. This would mean that coolant doesn't flow through the radiator.
H

thanks for the reply hmallett. ill get one i dont wanna me engine to cook!
oh well its only 45 quid from fiat could of been worse