Need serious help on 1996 Corolla.

Toyota thermostats are where the bottom radiator hose connects to the engine.

Exactly opposite of most other cars.

Save this post for the next time someone says you don't have anything to offer regarding fixing Toyotas.

Does the car overheat only in stop and go conditions, or at highway speeds as well?

That really was from Ray....

I pay attention to Ray and since he is on vacation, I gave the answer he would have...

You are looking at the wrong hose. The thermostat points to ward the drivers side fender. I think you are looking at the hose that goes to the front of the car. Wrong one. I made the same mistake a while back. Check the other one.. A little bit harder to get to but if you remove the airbox and hoses first it is much easier.

I'm back! My hands still smell fishy from cleaning all those fish; my mosquito bites still itch; the eagles, wolf, and moose I saw were awesome; I found my wife in the woods after her 1/2 hour stroll with my friend's wife turned into an 8 hour adventure lost on the trails; saw a few shooting stars. The only thing I missed was the northern lights and a bear sighting.

To the OP: Check the location that Scott suggests, make sure the coolant level is somewhere between the "cold" and "hot" marks on the coolant overflow bottle, make sure that the coolant is translucent and not muddy, rusty, or oily in appearance, and while you are changing the thermostat, replace the radiator cap. If the coolant is more than 2 years old, replace it. Make sure the cooling fans come on when the temperature gauge is registering hot, and make sure the radiator fins are not clogged with dirt or leaves.

Hey! look who's back! Have fun? If it smells like fish...

Finally got the fishy smell off of my fingers ;-)

We don't really need to know about your sex life here...

I'm married...

the smell was from fish.