+1 the aux fan should turn on if you press the A/C switch even if the system has little or no refrigerant. The compressor clutch won't engage, but the fan should run. Double check it...on low it's hard to hear over the motor.
Also, the aux fan should turn on automatically, regardless of A/C settings. Check the little fan stat switch screwed into the radiator. It will turn the aux fan on low or high depending on coolant temperature. If it isn't, check the relays, fan resistor and fan itself.