Chrysler Repair: 1997 Van: fan relay location, haynes manual, inner fender

Question
Roland I have a 1997 caravan that overheated due to the cooling fans not running (even while to a/c was on). I looked into the haynes manual and seen a relay is used to control on off. With my limited experience I jumped the fans back to the battery and they came on. So i figure its the relay, but the relay is not under the fuse panel/relay center. I can't find the location of the relay in the hayes manuel. I trace the wires to the main harness and like magic they dissapear. Would you be so kind as to tell me where one might find this relay in the vehicle so i can replace it      
thanks rc

Answer
Hi Richard,
Ah yes, the case of the "hidden fan relay". The Chrysler engineers evidentally wanted to use a solid state fan relay but to do so they had to mount it on a solid metal surface in the open so that heat could be dissipated. Unfortunately it didn't prove too reliable so in the latter half of the 90's there was a recall to replace it with an improved model. You might be able to get a dealer to replace it free if yours hasn't already been replaced free once. The dealer can access the factory recall records on line using the VIN of your vehicle to see if you are qualified for a replacement.
In any case, you will find it mounted solidly in a bracket that is located in the engine compartment on the left side, on the frame rail that runs along the inner fender, just behind the fan module at its lower left corner. If you need to replace it yourself, just be sure that the bracket is solidly attached to the rail so that heat from the module is conducted away. It has a plug so it should be easy to replace.
Roland