I have a 1988 5.7 liter TPI IROC with an automatic transmission and AC. Lately, the dual fans don't turn on while idling and the engine temperature gets above 220 degrees. Though while driving down the road, the temperature falls below 220 degrees (more like 180 degrees). What things could I check to see that may be the root of this problem?

 

Well mine always ran hot, it's climb well past the 220 mark and go towards the 3/4ths mark, then go back down. My primary fan blew a fuse and had an old motor, but the secondary fan(the one that switches on at X degrees and shuts down once it cooled it down to X degrees) still worked, so it never really overheated. The secondary fan comes on when the car gets to X number of degrees(i forget what it was exactly), or when you turn on your A/C. You can check that one, just fire up the car and turn on your A/C. I ended up taking mine to a dealer.... found out there's an upgrade with the fans that push more air, I'm getting that next week.