Overheats sitting idle in traffic - hot days

Just cranked her back up, turned on the A/C and both fans were running!

Warmer I would agree, however I think it will go up to red line if I would let it. It usually runs at 1/4 of the temp range. It never had this much of a tempeture change before the last year or so. Always ran below the mid white line on the temp zone/range with or without the A/C running.

Recent example: Sunday, sitting in traffic, (Braves game.) Normal operating temp for the 25 miles or so before we started sitting in near standing traffic. After being in the near standing traffice, it went from normal to 3/4 of the way up, equal distance above the mid point, nearing the upper white line before the red zone. Once I saw this jump, I turned the A/C off and turned the temp to hot to drop the engine temp back to its normal position.

Had no problems today, ran A/C on highway back in to town. No temp swings, nice so I turned off A/C and she ran at the normal temp that I am use to seeing the temp guage at.

Could there be something blocking the flow in system? I am open to any and all suggestions. I have to drive this car for a while, in sales, then is will go to my daughter. Has to be dependable like it has been for the last 14 years. Only 193,500 on her. GREAT CAR!

What is the best way for me to check out the temp switch in the thermostat housing? Can I get the part and replace myself? In my younger days, I was a gearhead and rebuilt engines to make them "go fast". Prem Gas back then was under $0.50 a gallon!

Sounds like I just go get the part and swap it out! I do "thank you" for helping me out. I need to keep this car going for a few more years.