180-220 is normal temperature range

 

Before you tear into it, you might want to get it up on jack stands or on a lift with it running and up to operating temp. and check for coolant drips from water pump….use a good light, it can be hard to see small leaks or slide dry clean piece card board under engine, passenger side to check for fluid leaks. Leaking water pump seals allows air in system and makes pump cavitate. If that is all good then I would replace thermostat and coolant. Dex-cool and THE thermostat others told you here.

 

If a thermostat gets blocked completely open, or someone removes it completely, you could get an overheat as the coolant doesn't stay in the radiator long enough to transfer the heat. Normally the thermostat gets blocked open just a bit and takes too long to warm up which gives you an error code and CEL.
I noticed my temp would get quite warm, especially at stop lights in the summer heat. I ended up having a coolant flush /replacement which took care of the problem. I found out that even the "Permanent" antifreeze is only good for about 5 years and then doesn't do the job of 'cooling'

I also found the tee where the cap goes on is a spot where the plastic can crack, and leak just a bit. when that happens, the system doesn't build up pressure, which can also cause it to run hot. Just as bad as a leaking cap. A good way to check for a blocked radiator is with a thermal temp gauge that uses the laser pointer thing and check the radiator in different places for cold/hot spots.

 

Betcha OP changed the thermostat and that’ll be it.

Since I changed coolant and thermostat, I haven’t seen much North of 190, even on a hot day.

 

I’ve said it many times over the years, and been duped into buying a cheaper popular brand, Stant, Motorad, AC Delco gold( the $14.00 junk) and the AC Delco 131-158 works best and change the Dexcool every 5 years with 50/50 Dexcool, mine runs from 178 to 184 any season

 

Jimvw you got it backwards, or meant to type "closed" not "open". Stuck open circulates coolant too much to get hot. The function of the t-stat is to keep the coolant temp ABOVE 180F. The radiator and fans function is to keep the coolant temp below 220F