Testing the Radiator / Engine Compartment Fans

[Dave80GTSi]

Even with the higher temperatures that we have been seeing here lately, neither one of my front radiator fans have turned themselves on automatically. Similarly, I’ve never heard my engine compartment fan run, ever. Which leads me to wonder if these three (3) fans are even operational in the first place.

Of course, turning on the A/C does cause both front fans to come on, to what I assume to be their higher speed. So my interest now is in checking that, indeed, both front fans are capable of running at low speed – I’ve seen the stories about the blown-out electrical resistors associated with the lowest speed.

Seems like one ought to be able to just remove the relay for each fan, and then plug a temporary jumper wire between a pair of the relay pin sockets so to see if the fans are OK.

So, can someone who is more electrically clever than I am advise which pair of sockets at each relay location are to be bridged so to conduct this type of test? A picture / diagram is always a big help for such as this.

And, under what circumstances does the engine compartment fan click on? Does it operate in conjunction with, or independently of, the pair of front radiator fans?

Thanks - DM