This is usually a pretty easy fix. It can be the fan, relay, or temperature switch. In some cases there can be an ECM in the mix as well.
If you have a volt meter or test light you should be able to check for power at each device.
Depending on your vehicle it may switch the +12v side or the ground to complete the circuit.
Check the fuses, check the relay and then check the fan motor.
If radiator cooling fan it turns on only when temperature sensor reaches temp needed to cool car, then when enough cooling takes place, it gets told by sensor to turn off.
check the coolant temp. sensor, this sends info to the computer to turn on the cooling fan. Check for other answers for the cooling fan, I posed a answer on how to replace the fan relay with out removing the front facia and bumper
Cooling fan? will only come on when: vehicle temp exceeds 235o F or when a/c or defroster is activated
== == Cooling fans are designed to start at 235 degrees
Bad temp. sensor? on most ford contour cars the cooling fan only runs when the motor reaches a certain temp. this model car also has a cooling fan relay switch,if the switch is bad the fan will not run.
The electric cooling fan or cooling fan temp sensor may be faulty.
It's thermo controlled, when temp falls below a certain point-it will. That's normal.
Some fans are made to only turn on when the temp reaches a certain point. Have you run your engine up to temp and let it idle and see if the fan kicks on after a certain time? Keep your hands clear. Has your engine been running hot or did you jsut look in and NOT see your fan turning? If your engine is running hot AND your fan is NOT coming on then the temp sensor for the fan may be bad.
Could be a bad temp. sensor not telling the fan to turn on, or a bad motor. Try jumping the motor to see if the fan comes on. If not, its the motor.
Problem with the temp sensor.
I too am having the exact same problem!