Pontiac Repair: 2002 Sunfire Almost overheats, electric cooling fan, coolant level

Question
Hello.  I have a 2002 Sunfire with a 2.4L.  If I turn the a/c on, my temperature stays around 195 degrees.  Once I turn in on in a matter of minutes it jumps to almost 250 degrees.  It never goes higher than that however.  I'm not sure exactly where to start on this, as both the waterpump and thermostat require lots of work, just to change.  Or so my manual says.  I'm thinking also since the a/c takes a bit longer to properly get cool, somehow it's related.  The belt appears good, no cracks, or dry rot.  

Thanks in advance for any help.

Answer
Hi Jeff:

well first off start by check the coolant level in the car when the car is COLD. make sure it's full. Next when the car is on and getting hot does the electric cooling fan by the radiator come on? turn on the a/c with in a minute or so that fan should turn on due to the a/c system load on the coooling system. if the fan doesn't turn on then I would go the route of that not working and cauing it to over heat. if the fan does turn on then maybe you have an air flow issue acrtoss the rataitor I have ssen car where dirt tree pollin etc plugs the fins in the condenser or radiator and then it can't transfer the heat from those part to the air. if that's not it then you have to start looking at engine mechanical issue like a thermostat etc...