No, a fan won't trigger a check engine light, there usually isn't any sense input to the ECU even if the ECU controls the fan (based on coolant temp). Check out the fan wiring before you assume that the fan itself is bad. It could be something as simple as a power or ground problem, connector corrosion, or a bad fan relay (relays can fail once they get hot, etc).
You should check the voltage at the fan connection with the fan on and with the fan off.

Oh, also check that the fan can spin freely, meaning that there isn't anything blocking the fan from turning by itself. If it's been wrecked, who knows what's bent or twisted in that area..