Glad some folks are still keeping this thread going. Thanks to all who have contributed!
I recently started having intermittent A/C trouble in my 97 Wagon. Thought it was just an inconvenience until I realized the cooling fan was also NOT running. I checked the coolant charge in the A/C system and it seemed to have enough. Intermittent nature caused me to think it was an electrical problem, checking on FEOA confirmed.
Ran to a parts yard to see what I could find. My CCRM has AA for the last two letters. I pulled CCRM units from a 98 (part was replaced, part manufactured in 2007, code BA) and a 99 (part was replaced, part manufactured in 2001, code BC).
When I installed the part from the 98 (code BA), all seemed well at first (A/C ran and radiator fan ran), but A/C became intermittent again. Odd thing was, it seemed when I put a heavy load on engine (accelerating beyond about half throttle), the A/C came on. Others have mentioned that there were some changes to A/C wiring in 98. In many A/C systems, including those on 2nd and 3rd gen Escorts, there is a switch to decouple the A/C clutch when the driver loads engine heavily during acceleration. Once driver throttles back, A/C kicks back on. I believe this CCRM is engaging the A/C clutch once I give the engine a heavier load, and is disengaging once I throttle back - the opposite of what is intended.
Just for giggles, I tried putting in the part from the 99 Escort (code BC) and I have no A/C at all.
One interesting note: with my factory CCRM, the water temp gauge never registered below about 25% (between cool and hot), but seems to work well above that. With both of these other CCRMs, the temp gauge settles down to around the cool end, and rises slowly from there.
I ordered two of the JSM1-12V-5 relays (if one is good, two is better!) from Mouser Electronics and I'm going to try to repair my CCRM. If I have trouble with this, I'll probably spring for a new/re-manufactured unit.
I found a complete replacement CCRM from RockAuto (
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1251892&cc=1119361&jsn=539&jsn=539 ). For my car it is listed under Electrical-Switch & Relay, Radiator Fan Relay. The part is made by Four Seasons and is called a Rad Fan Controller. Price on date this was written was $122, and it appears to have a 120 day warranty.
I've also found re-manufactured units at Autozone and O'Reilley's (a bit more expensive), and at Advance Auto Parts (about $110, but found coupon code online for $40 off an order over $100, $25 core charge). All of these seem to have a one year warranty.