There's 3 temperature 'sensors', Honda moved them around some over the years. My '95 Integra & '98 Accord both have the same story for those, so maybe your '96 is the same. These 3 separate systems don't 'share' information with each other.

The fan switch is in thermostat housing, it has a plug with 2 wires. Just an on/off switch, it's not really a 'sensor'. Unplug it, jumper the wires together, turn on the key; that should make the fans run.

The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor is at the upper hose nozzle, it's also got a plug with 2 wires. That's for the fuel injection ECU to measure temperature.

The sender for the temperature gauge on the dashboard is also at the upper hose nozzle, it's got only one wire.