problem with "cold" starting

[ontarian_frog]

i think its just an open/closed. not 100% sure, but in the wiring diagram its just 2 wires, no reference.

Nope. Straight from the manual:

The coolant temperature sensor (CTS) uses a thermistor to control the signal voltage to the engine control module (ECM) and controls the instrument panel temperature indicator.

Here is the chart of both the IAT and ECT sensors.