The spiraling wire is a protector for the fragile tube that it surrounds. Don't mess with it. They are very fragile and can break easily.
If you think the two sensors are reversed, remove the one from the remote
oil filter (they unscrew easily. Don't lose the tiny copper washer that will fall out. You will reuse it) and immerse it in a cup of hot water. Then check to see which gauge moves. If the water temp gauge moves, then the sensors have been switched.