A/C won't work! Mechanics can't figure it out. Help!

[johnhere]

I bought a used 1991 350-SD a few months ago. A/C worked so so. About 2 months ago A/C began blowing luke warm air and then worked fine sporatically. As of 1 month ago A/C doesn't work at all. I've determined the compressor will not turn on (it's not a freon leak). It works once in a while, and when it does it's ice cold. But most of the time when you push the "on" button on the climate control unit the compressor doesn't come on and it blows red hot air.

I've had the car to 3 inde MB shops. The first charged me $200 to tell me it was the electric relay under the hood. So I bought a new relay for $300. Still nothing. The 2 other shops couldn't figure it out after a week at each place and didn't charge me. The last shop did jump the relay and did get the A/C to work. They took out the relay and bridged 2 holes with a wire and it worked. It worked all day and the next day when I started the car it didn't work.

I'm really at my wits end with this. The climate I live is 110-118 F degrees 5 months out of the year. The shops are all 45 mins from my house. Any assistance would be appreciated. My next step is to put in a new compressor but this sounds more like an electrical fault issue.

[flyboyike]

Has the push-button unit been tested?

[johnhere]

No, the push button unit hasn't been tested. And at this point it doesn't matter since I was so pissed off today I snaped and put my foot right thru the center console. The push button unit, wood trim, radio, and buttons are now in 5,000 pieces.

I ordered a refurbed push button unit for $250 and if that doesn't work I'm parking the car in the slums with the keys in it and windows down and someone else can deal with it.

[mr.xpowerseller]

Where are you? I'll take the car for free.....with a smile.