'89 Tempo/Topaz Fan Control Module Q

Have an A/C-equipped '89 Tempo/Topaz with an inoperative radiator fan. I jumpered the fan to the battery, it works. I jumpered the relay on the drivers side headlight, it clicks and my multimeter says it has continuity when energized. I also tested the coolant temp sensor near the thermostat and it has continuity when the engine is hot.

According to the Haynes, that leaves the cooling fan controller behind the glove compartment. The book does not describe any testing procedure, is this one of those replace-and-hope-that-was-it kind of parts? The kind of auto repair that I hate?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!!

P.S. And why did Ford need such a complicated fan system, anyway? How about a relay to kick in the fan when the A/C was on, the engine was hot, or both? Seems to be a whole easier and cheaper to me!

This JUST happened to me. I tested everything that you did and that controller in the glove box is the most expensive. I didnt know how to test it so i just started to replace the cheap stuff. First the sensor than the relay, and it turned out the relay was bad even though it tested good so i would try that before you replace anything else.

Edit, i have a 91 tempo L

Hmm, good idea. Thanks!

As a followup, I finally dug into it some more and realized I wasn't getting +12VDC to the harness where the relay plugs in. Traced it back to a blown fusible link. The fan works now... finally!

I guess next time I'll check one more thing before throwing up my hands. ;)