Temperature needle does not move for awhile and when it does the check engine light comes on but the temperature needle does not read hot and moter does not get hot

Bulb is possibly out behind the instrument cluster for the check engine light. As far as the temperature guage not working it sounds like your temperature sending unit is not working if it doesn't move at all. If your thermostat is stuck open it would come up some. If not your temperature sending unit is bad.

The gauge is supposed to move. Between 190 and 210 degrees. About a 1/16 to 1/4 inch movement with the needle. If it goes from middle(200 degrees) to hot(260 degrees) and back. Check the coolant level. Air pocket in the engine. Low fans come on at about 210 degrees. High fans come on at 225 degrees. High fans come on when the A/C is turned on. And it works.

check that the wire to the temp sender unit has not fallen off and is shorting out on the head/block. The power comes from the ignition switch through the gauge down to the sender unit and because the sender is a temperature controlled resistance unit the voltage is very low and so the gauge reads cold . as the temperature heats up , the resistance is decreased and so the voltage is increased though the gauge and the needle reads higher.. Hench if the gauge goes directly to hot on start up the wire is shorting out or the sender unit is faulty.

Faulty coolant temperature sensor and a faulty heater control valve.

check the sensor on the front of the engine ,by the water pump.i It will usually have a single little plug on it

the cat is most likely plugged, but have car checked for a lean condition before replacement of cat otherwise you will just melt the new cat as well

Is the heater nice and hot when the needle shows low temp? If the cooling fans turn on and the heater is hot, that leads me to believe the coolant temperature sensor is bad. You should try replacing that sensor. They are only $6 usd here. As long as your check engine light is not on and your fans are running, this will not hurt your car... but this is something you should fix soon if you can. Make sure the engine is cold when you replace the sensor

Have you checked the antifreeze level lately? Low antifreeze will cause a temp sensor to give false readings. Does your heater work OK, as in does it blow hot air when heater is on? that is another symptom of low antifreeze.

As far as the check engine light coming off and on, I would bet it is the oxygen sensor that might need to be replaced.

u might have a sticky thermostat try takin it out and boil a pot of hot water and place it in if it stays closed or open and doesnt move it needs to be replaced