Did you ever find an answer to this question? My 2002 Focus is doing the same thing. The water pump and thermostat have been replaced, but the temperature gauge still show that it gets hot if I drive the car for about 30 minutes in stop and go traffic. If I slow down or stop, I will see the needle move. Once I get going, it will come back down to normal or will do so once the fans kick in.
Thermostat could be at the tempure setiting, No antiboil antifreeze coolant, and the water leakage or a bad waterpump.
Check the fan clutch, it may not be working properly.
i have replace the thermostat, checked the fans,filled with water and it is still overheating. Very often, the waterpump leaks and stops working only years after it was last replaced. Coolant is probably not flowing from the engine to the radiator to be cooled.
There are a few reasons a vehicle is overheating. The common causes are the thermostat, water pump, radiator, or the fan stopped working.
If you have replaced the water pump then flush the radiator with CLR also check to see if the fan is working properly.
A 2001 Mitsubishi Spyder will experience overheating even though the fluid is good and the fans are working if the thermostat is stuck. A stuck thermostat will prevent coolant from circulating and will quickly overheat the engine.
Did you check the thermostat to make sure it is working? If it is and you have enough coolant, you might want to check for head gasket issue. You can rent a tester at Autozone. HTH
Low coolant level? System airbound? Cooling fan not working? Radiator plugged or restricted? Water pump not circulating coolant? Defective radiator cap?
Take your thermostat out and put everything back together, run your car without a thermostat... If your car no longer overheats, replace your thermostat.
Low coolant? Cooling fan not working? Thermostat not opening? Water pump not circulating coolant?
Check the coolant in the 96 Taurus. Check to insure that the thermostat is working properly, and that the water pump is working.
check thermostat. check engine fan coolant sensor possible locations radiator or thermostat housing. check electric fan working