Running hot- (not thermo, cap, or level)

[IIv SHaDoW vII]

Facts--
-Car- 98 GS auto... why is it that my GST never has these problems.. >.<
-I checked the level of the coolant and its full but I have been getting a hot reading lately.. It will go up to about 3/4 then back down after driving again.. It only goes up like this at idle.. Then right when I start moving it seems to go right back down to the mid point.
-I dont think its the headgasket because I just changed the alternator and there was no visible leaks of any kind on the bottom of the engine nor is there coolant on the ground or missing from the system(completely full)
-I changed the cap and thermostat just recently but it still does it.
-Both fans work but I am not sure if they cut on and off.
-The temp going up at idle has nothing to do with the a/c being on or off.
-At light throttle the car seems as if it is surging rather than being consistant.. Only does it at very light revs.
-When I rev the car up in P or N, sometimes when it is dropping back down it will go back up slightly on its own and then fall back to idle
-The idle itself has a slight miss to it as if one of my spark plugs is missing, but I also just replaced the wires and the plugs, but the problem developed before this.
Could it be a bubble in the system, water pump, or the IAC?
If some of my facts dont match my (running hot) problem please feel free to tell me what you think the cause of those are. Thanks

 

[absolute_DSM]

Sounds like a fan problem. If airflow (from driving) is cooling it down, then the only difference at idle is the fans may come on. Id let it idle and pop the hood and see if they come on at all.

 

[IIv SHaDoW vII]

I'll check that out today, I know both fans work..although I am not sure if they come on at the right time. It makes sense though.. When it gets hot today I will check it out. If it happens to be the fans, doesnt that mean its that sensor that sits right under the thermostat housing on the 420a? Just glad it doesnt sound like the water pump... I can think of some better stuff to waste 90 bucks on than one of those. Could the acceleration surge still be the IAC? I have no known vaccuum leak..

 

[IIv SHaDoW vII]

Checked today.. ac fan was on, radiator fan was not when it was getting hot..
So I went and grabbed the temp switch that kicks the fan on when its hot... Ill post again if it doesnt fix the problem.

 

[Locke]

Could the acceleration surge still be the IAC? I have no known vaccuum leak..

Disassemble and test the IAC. If it appears good, clean it and the air bypass galley in the TB thoroughly, then reinstall.

Inspect for leaks where the IM mates to the head, and the injectors. Make sure the camshafts are in proper time, and check for this if you haven't done so.

 

[IIv SHaDoW vII]

Switch didnt fix the problem, and the fan isnt coming on at all now today.. So that problem is down to the fan itself, or the relay. Any ideas..also I dont really wanna spend the money on a new radiator fan or a 25 dollar relay from the dealership so is there a way to test the fan and/or relay individually? Thanks

Locke.. Thanks for the advice on the surging, I will check around the egr tomorrow as well as the other stuff around the tb. When we changed the valve cover gasket about 2 weeks ago I did find one vaccuum leak so there may be others I overlooked.. Ill get back to you on the surging.. right now Im more worried about the car running hot. I am pretty sure these 2 problems arent connected anymore.

 

[Locke]

A agree, the surging, and overheating are not likely connected.

Test the fans by applying 12V, it should (obviously) kick on, and without any odd noises. Test the relay by applying 12V to it's coil, and checking for continuity across it's armature. Check the wiring to the relay, and to the fan as well, for opens.