I was out scraping my windows this morning and noticed that the fan was on. should it be running when the engine is cold?

 

The clutch will never allow the fan to entirely freewheel; it will always spin somewhat especially when first starting. It takes a couple of minutes for the fluid to distribute itself when first starting out in the morning. The best indicator I've found is to listen for the fan roar upon accelleration, or lack of. If you hear constant fan roar in the winter, your clutch is toast.

 

Mine will "roar" until third gear in the winter. At about 1800 RPMs in third it will release and quieten down. My 98 was the same way.

 

The way to check the fan clutch is to give the fan a spin after it's warmed up and shut down. It's should turn easily but not freewheel when you let go.