you can test it.
Im pretty sure it is a simple analogue sensor so connecting a multimeter across the two terminals should indicate a resistance, now put the tip of the sensor in hot/boiling water and the resistance should change.
From the manual 60Deg C should have 70-90Ohms resistance. 100Deg C should have 21-24Ohms.
These are pretty cheap to replace anyway.
Coolent temp is a major factor in compensation for cold idle (warm up idle) most ECUs have a compensation table for coolent temp.
But ultimatly, as indicated a couple of years ago, if you remove all the other idle up gear, you won't get a good idle with this engine, you can increase the idle speed but it won't be as good as when all the gear is connected.

Bryan