1995 Grand Am Water Not circulating, PLEASE HELP!

Hello: Overheating can be a real bummer. Make sure the electric fan indeed does run up to speed ok when engine temp gets to the point where it should turn on. Make sure the seal where the coolant cap is installed is in good condition and does not leak system pressure. If cap is not pressure tight, coolant will boil sooner (212 deg or so) With antifreeze will raise boiling point. In the heater hoses that go to the firewall should be a valve that allows the water to circulate through the heater core, make sure it indeed is opening and not defective. Most of these are vacuum controlled. Might have a bad selector mechanism for heat in the dash. There is always the possibility of a blown head gasket, this will usually cause the engine to get hot quite fast and overheat. What temp thermostat did you install? 190 deg or so?
Good luck
Darryl.

Took it back apart, water pump is running good. Just no circulation. Also therostat is 195. The drain under the thermostat is cold when engine is hot. I did test it before we put the second one in. Radiator is cold but fan will come on good and installed a bleeder valve on the pump housing to check for air pockets. No luck, I hate this car. Ken

Hello: Take the thermostat out temporarly, that way there should be no restriction at all to the water circulation. See if the hoses come up to temp ok after thermostat removed. Possibly there is an air pocket in the water jacket some place, the water pump will not pump air. See if radiator drains fast with lower hose removed. Have cap off to radiator. Hold hand over lower hose connection. Fill with water. Remove hand and see if drains fast, possibly plugged up or something. With thermostat removed pull upper and lower hose and use a hose to force water through the engine, possibly that will show you something. Looks like an air pocket or something blocked, with thermostat out all restrictions should be removed. Make sure the thermostat is not installed upside down, it may fit, but will not work properly.
Good luck
Darryl.

Is the return hose from the motor to the reservoir hot? If not there may be something (rust, dirt etc.) Clogging it up. Also could be a bad head gasket, though there may not be signs of a bad gasket.

Just had the same problem with my '95 Grand Am a few month ago. I changed out the thermostat, heater core, unplugged the return hose from the motor to the coolant reservoir, and checked to make sure the cooling fan was working properly. All in all it ended up being the head gasket.