the cooling fan does not come on unless ac is turned on. temps can and have gotten over 250 degrees consistently in ten minute drives of slow driving. Here is a photo of a sensor i found on the passenger and engine side of the radiator. It doesn't have a corresponding female plug. could someone follow theirs from the radiator and share some photos so I can see where the plug should be incase I need to fully rewire it?

 

That's a coolant level sensor. It being there allows the same radiator to be used in many other car models. That's not the original radiator that came in the car, it's a replacement.

Not related to the fan in any manner way shape form or fashion. Ignore it.

The fan's temp switch is in the pass side head, between the #6 & #8 spark plugs. The same hole that the gauge sending unit is in on the driver's side. Depending on what car and engine you have, the ECM may also be involved.