95 SC2 getting hot on gauge

Hey all,
have a cooling issue. so far have changed the electric fan, thermostat, and the coolant sensor on the block. this was done by a shop. i have green antifreeze in system, looks really clean. On the gauge in the car, when I am driving around town, it gets half way to 3/4 way hot, then i have to turn on the A/C to get it to come down again. But the temp creeps back up with the A/C on. The fan doesn't seem to come on by itself, only when I turn on the A/C. Is that normal for a 95 Saturn DOHC? Is there another sensor or thermostat or switch that I need to replace. The guys at the shop now want to charge me $160 to "unclog" the radiator. I am hoping that there is a cheaper fix...seems the Radiator is doing it's job, because it cools off some with the A/C, just goes back up after running it a while. Thanks Jenn

obviously it is a fan problem so i would find a new place to take. i remeber readong about this somewhere on here. when i find it i will write back

Are you sure you changed the correct sensor? There are two that look similar. The one you want to replace has two wires going to it. Also, you need to inspect the plug that connects to the sensor for corrosion. If it's corroded, replace it with a new one from the dealer.

You can buy a new radiator for about the price those bozos want to "unclog" yours. Don't bother with that, if your radiator is bad, replace it with a new one. It's not a hard job to replace the radiator.

does it only overheat in city stop and go traffic? fine on the highway? then the problem may be the airflow thru the radiator. make sure the lower splash shield and air dam below the bumper is intact, as they are commonly broken by parking to close to the curb. make sure the radiator and condensor are fairly clean, not to many bent fins. if you place a flashlight behind the radiator you should be albe to see light thru it. and make sure it was the two wire sensor that was changed.

have you let it go to 3/4 and not touch the a/c switch? its normal for all the cars to reach the 3/4 mark and go down. if it reaches the red with no fan engagement, then shut the car off. you can let it get to the red without damage to test it, but not to let it sit there.

the car should run between 1/4-1/2 on the gauge, and the fan kicks in at the 3/4 mark. this is completely normal as the temps are normal gm temps, as with many other manufacturers. running temp (1/4-1/2 mark) is around 195, the fan engagement temp is (3/4 mark) around 220.

many people freak out about this, but as long as the fan kicks in and drops temp back down its fine. if fan kicks in and temp stays level or increases be worried. if temp rises right back up to 3/4 mark shortly after, probably have some something clogged.

but yeah, let it go. if it hits red with no fan engagement (or fan is engaged and cant cool it) then turn it off.

Took the words right out of my mouth.. That is exactly what my saturn does (94)