how to troubleshoot electrical cooling fans on 1999 mercury cougar?

Start by checking fuse. There could be several thing wrong, but if it turns out it needs to be replaced: Disconnect the negative battery cable on your Mercury Cougar Unplug the fan motor wire connector from the side of the fan shroud. Remove the retaining clip for the male terminal connector from the fan shroud mounting tab. Loosen and remove the upper retaining bolts for the upper fan shroud from the radiator support. You may also need to remove the mounting bracket attaching screws. Lift the engine cooling fan assembly past the radiator and out of the engine compartment. You'll need to disengage the two lower retaining clips from the fan shroud as you lift it out. Place the new fan assembly into the engine compartment, fastening the upper and lower retaining clips. Bolt it into place. Replace the retaining clip for the male terminal connector and plug the fan motor wire connector back into the side of the fan shroud. Reconnect the negative battery terminal, run your vehicle and test for proper engine cooling fan operation.

Remember you must first know what Is wrong before you can fix it. Locked fan motor, motor not getting signaled to turn on, does the fan work and there is a different problem. Be careful fan can kick on when your not expecting it to. With a piece of cardboard you can make engine warm up quicker. Don't through a new fan motor on just to find out it's something else.

mrmooney, I may have not made that clear, but you are of course right. I did say, fuse. and IF IT NEEDS to be replaced...there could be several things wrong. I DID state ALL that. Just not specifics as you did. Then I just posted a 'how to" for an IF. Your clarification is a good thing. Thank You.

Sorry, I was referring to the question person. I should have typed it in a little different