Replacing the Thermostat.

[Jason in GA]

My question is 2 fold.
1) today my wife noticed that her 04 Sebring 2.4l 6cyl only has heat when she is driving, at idle it blows cool air. I took a look and am thinking I found the issue, a bad seal on the stat. Their was pink crust around the housing and I think that it came from air leaking out, what do your expert minds think. Im hoping its not a plugged heater core or rad, which I believe I ruled out beacuse I let it idle for a while and once it heated up the coolant started to circulate out of the reservoir.

2) When I was going to take the thermostat out to change it I noticed a few things in the top of the housing, an electrical connection (im assuming its a sensor of some sort) and what looks like an air or greese fitting. I dont want to cause any damage removing these as I dont know exactly what they are. Can any of you ID these things and give any words of caution when removing them.

Thanks.