1998 Saturn SL2 Themostat

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Just to clarify, I want to replace the thermostat without having to go under the car and flush the system period! I want to replace it and that's it. I was referencing "back in the day" like I had just flushed the system and was able without draining the radiator again, able to replace the thermostat. Doing it that way, you'd lose a little fluid when taking the top radiator hose off. You could clean the housing, which was separate, seal with a gasket and done. I just paid $100 to have the system flushed. I don't have a lift. I'd have to lay under the car and drain the system. My Wife, Children and Grandchildren would be very upset if I left this world under a car. We knew someone who had jack stands give way and was found by his wife dead under a Bobcat. Let me know if this can be done in the way I explained. Thanks again!

Thanks for the info. The car runs cool while moving. ONLY gets really hot @ idle or stuck in traffic. Boiled over a couple of weeks ago idling in a parking lot. Again, if you're maintaining about any speed at all, the temp gauge is between quarter and half way up. If on the highway, NEVER goes above quarter of the way up. Do you think it could be anything except a partially stuck thermostat? Thanks again!

Thanks for the info! AC works great when you're moving. At idle or stuck in traffic, the AC does not blow cold. Feels like just fan. The car will run hot to over heat if running at idle or stuck in traffic. I will check and make sure the fan comes on when turning the AC on. I first thought fan, since the car runs cool when moving. I figured no blocked. So replace coolant temp sensor and check the color of the wires. Is this an easy job?

I meant blockage. LOL!

Is it also called a coolant level sensor connector?

Replaced the sensor. No difference. Hard to see but I believe the radiator fan is not working! I checked the fuse, which appears to be fine. I've narrowed it down to the fan, power not getting to the fan, faulty ground or a relay switch. Is there anything else it could be?

Where is the radiator fan motor located? I checked fuse. Looks good! Do you think the relay could have gone bad? Is there anything else to check? Thanks!

Thanks for your help!

Replaced the radiator coolant fan motor. Turned the AC on and the fan came on immediately! Let run for almost half hour and the temp gauge stayed right @ quarter. Yea! It's fixed. Thanks for all your help!

Keep sharing your knowledge, especially for fellow Saturn owners! It amazes me how many I see on the road; mostly our Model. May have to lean on you again with our next problem. LOL! We bought our Saturn a year ago March. It had just under 89k miles. Silver, working A/C, key less entry, a stock cd player that sounds great after we replaced the speakers, and believe it our not, window cranks. Oh, leaky sunroof too. Sealed it. ONLY paid $2,500. Came with a 3 month/ 4k warranty that we didn't have to use. Besides the fan motor, the only thing we had to do was have an exhaust leak addressed for $80. Got REAL lucky! Thanks again!