I'm glad I'm not in Kalifornia any more
I went through hell on my old Ford Ranger with the SMOG BS. I'm in Yuma where it is also very hot. When I'm cruising down the road my fan doesn't run because the air is flowing through the radiator. So although your fan doesn't work right I'd say that it is not the primary problem. I have a '93 wagon also. About two years ago mine was overheating. It was caused by the radiator being clogged up. You can have it rodded out but it's easier to buy a new one. On my Escort if you disconnect the temp sensor then the fan will run hi speed. Are you familiar with the waiver program where you go to a 'referee'?