overheating

My fairly lightly modified 1995 325i over heats in traffic or any slow or stopped situation. I put a Active Autowerke's 72 degree thermostat, and it did nothing. i have not clutch fan anymore, but thats been gone for a few years now. i'm not sure if my electric fan is broken or just not up to the task. is there a different fan switch, or anything i can do to make it stop.

I read a tech article a while ago that gave instructions for how to install a manual switch to turn the radiator fan on and off. Hmmmm, wish I could remember where it was. I seem to recall it involving wiring a switch to the two wires at the top left of the radiator. Hope this info helps for a google search or something. Anyone else heard of this?

I've heard something about putting a 318ti fan switch will make your fan come on sooner. If anyone know about this then I wanna know.

i read the same thing somewhere, but i swear it was foir the E30, not sure if it would be the same for the e36. . .

Hey, your problem is probably the water pump. Unfortunately the water pumps have a plastic impeller and over time they break off. If your vehicle is overheating in a normal amout of time than that is more than likely your problem.
Ok, just reread your question, sorry. The overheating in traffic is most likely your electric fan. The clutch fan is there for normal use and if you remove that the cooling system isn't as efficient. The aux fan comes on with ac or an extreme heat situation. The power to the fan is switched on by the fan relay which is located in the front power distribution box located in the left rear corner of the hood, as if you are sitting in the driver seat. It can be modified there. If you want, pm me and I will let you know exactly where to splice in. I need to look at the ETM to find out the best point.

Reread because of the edit, sorry if I mis lead you. Didn't read the question thoroughly.

tech:

does the E30 also have a plastic impeller for the water pump?

once upon a time my E30 was overheating and come to find out that it was the thermostat, my ladies dad replaced it and it then ran cooler then it did before it started to overheat. . .

No, the E30 water pump has a metal impeller. They started the plastic impellers with the e36. They did go away with the plastic to metal and now back to plastic.

so does the m54 have a plastic or a metal impellar?

The M54's have a redesigned plastic impeller. I have yet to see a prob with them though.

Thanks for all the info Tech!