96 Cutlass Ciera AC issue (aka I CAN'T go another summer with no AC!!!)
 

First and foremost, I am not a mechanic
Everything I know about working on cars I've learned from youtube, google and forums like this one
So I have to ask that you keep it simple for me
I need step by step instructions
Anyway, my ac compressor doesn't engage
I verified that it doesn't need recharged and checked the fuse
I saw a couple videos about using a jump wire to see if the clutch engages then but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle because the connector is hard to get to
Should I just replace the compressor or could there be an easier, cheaper fix?
Thanks in advance

Based on your admission you have zero mechanical experience, I highly suggest you take this to a certified shop. A/C systems can be very difficult to diag and if done incorrectly, lead to EPA violations by accidentally releasing freon into the atmosphere. Which leads me to my next question, how did you verify the system has a proper charge?

Before taking it to a shop try swapping out the relay.

I really don't mean to sound like a jerk...it just comes naturally

I know where the relays are, but for the life of me, I can't find a good diagram showing which relays control what component
I feel like I must be using the wrong search terms
Probably either making it too detailed, or not detailed enough because it doesn't seem like it should be this hard to find

It's on the bracket with a few other relays.
Here's your electrical.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...a797538a62.jpg

Okay, as much as it pains me to say this, I cannot figure out how to pull the relays out to check them
The only ones I've seen before are in an enclosed box and you just pull them out
If I'm in the right spot, (front passenger side corner by the radiator) there's no wiggle room
And it doesn't help that you have to have teeny little leprechaun hands to get to them
It looks like I have to lift a tab on the back to lift it off but I can't get to it
Does the bracket come off?

Also, there are 5 (?) relays but the wire coloring is different than the diagram you sent and the one in my Haynes book
So if I'm standing facing the car, which relay is it, counting left to right?

Maybe a shop is your best bet.

Sorry to have to say this, but this does not tell any of us that the system is already charged. In order to have any idea that it is charged I would need to hear something like "When I tried to charge it, the gauge said xxxPSI was already in it" . . . or . . . "When I hooked a gauge to it it showed green"

Remember, we don't know you or your technical habits or descriptions from any other member's. We are using our knowledge and linguistic skills to make a keyboard describe to you how to diagnose a car we'll likely never see and then tell us the results through a keyboard in such a way as to help you fix a fairly complicated machine whose operation is governed by highly technical concepts. When you say "I tried to charge it, but the ac still blows hot", we can't tell if:

- you tried to put one can in and nothing happened
- you put seventeen cans in and it all came right back out where you didn't notice
- you charged the battery instead
- etc.

I don't mean anything negative when I point this out, I'm just providing perspective based on things I've personally seen over the years here.

Next step: Get a gauge, even the Walmart special that comes with a can of refrigerant, and get us a reading. For bonus points, get a gauge that can adjust its range based on ambient temperature and get us a reading on that.

You may learn something in the link below and also may help many other of the inexperienced DIY people who have no clue how the A/C system works.
https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/D...sis-by-Symptom