The fan is electric and thermostatically controlled from an electrical sensor in
the engine water jacket. This means the fan doesn't work until the engine gets
warm enough to need cooling. The "steam" business doesn't sound good, and the
engine has probably blown a head gasket. Take it to a garage to see if the
engine can still be saved.

What you most likely have is a blown head gasket which was
evidenced by the cloud of white smoke more commonly called
"steam".  The 3.8L engine of that vintage was well known for
this type failure.  The cooling fan has nothing to do with
it overheating if your speed is above 40mph as the fan is
turned off at that point anyway unless the air conditioning
is running.  The repairs you are likely looking at are head
gasket replacement which typically runs between $900 - $1300
if you haven't already overheated it to the point of
damaging the block.  Another aspect is the high probability
that the crank bearings have been damaged by coolant getting
into the oil and will fail after the head gaskets are
replaced.  I don't know where you are but, in this part of
the world, a '95 Taurus is not worth anywhere near the cost
of the repairs.

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