2004 Pontiac Grand Am Odd overheating

Here is what you gotta do. This is a common problem when filling the cooling system on these FWD GM cars. When cool, remove the cap, make sure the coolant level is good, start the car and turn on the heat, let it run till it reaches operating temp, Raise and hold the rpm to 3500 and hold for 5 seconds then let it idle down, open the bleeder screw to see if you get solid trickle of coolant out of it, close the bleeder, raise the rpm to 3500 and hold for 5 seconds and let it idle let is idle, open bleeder to check for air, close bleeder, raise rpm to 3500 for 5 seconds.(Repeat till you get heat at idle), keep checking the coolant level between revs. Then shut off the car and let it cool down completely with the cap off. Return later to when it is cooled down and check the coolant level (fill if needed), put on the cap, and start it and let run and check for heat at idle and any overheating.

That will happen. When you raise the rpm your pushing the air pockets out. Also if you let it run long enough the coolant will begin to boil from not being under pressure. If I rememeber right you may also have to shut off the car in between the rpm revs to settle it for about a minute or two while keeping an eye on the coolant level. These things can be a bear to get the air out at times.

Ok, try again but this time do the procedure I posted and it should resolve.

Yes it can. The problem you described is exactly the issue these GM cars have with air in the system.