i am no car mechanic although i do my own work on my car........ saying that i would say the temperature sender is faulty its a common problem and the switch only works on a resistance to earth basis(i take it it is the warning light for the temp the way you have explained it)i would buy a new one and screw it in they are only cheap and its easy to do.it may be worth reposting the question in the car section too as this is the motorcycle section.
adam bike doctor, January 2010