1994 Pontiac Grand Am Car stalled-Red Engine coolant light(

My Engine Coolant light went on today (red thermometer, not low coolant) and my car stalled but the temperature gage wasn't showing overheating. I was going about 45 up a hill after driving 20 minutes and the car was on heating up 10 minutes. It has never done this before in 10 years that I had the car. If my car was over heating why was the gage at a normal temperature. I did have a low gas tank at the time. It was just about on Empty (2 gallons left). I did blow a head gasket about 3 years ago and at that time the temperature gage was telling me that the car was overheating. Eventhough I there is a possibility of having a defective temperatur gage, I don't think this is the case. Any information would be helpful.