Cadillac Repair: 1992 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, cadillac sedan deville, auto button

Question
My air conditioning went out suddenly today.....is there somethin I can fix myself to get it going again? I don't know BEANS about cars!!!!!!!

Answer
Hi Enid, There might be a simple fix. First push the button for the outside temperature and make sure it reads correctly and above 60 degrees F. Then if you push the auto button and the auto lights up on the climate control panel then it might be a bad relay for the compressor. It is located inside the engine compartment behind the black plastic panel at the base of the winshield area. Turn the 2 plastic wingnuts a 1/4 turn and pull out...then remove the 10mm nut and the panel will lift out. You will see a serries of relays and the a/c one is the first one from the passenger side. With the a/c on and engine running tapping on the relay witrh a screwdriver handle might get it to work and compressor to engage. If it does then it is definitely bad and even if it doesn't replaceing it might get the comp.to work again. To remove the relay place a screwdriver into the space below to relay and push down on the tab...look at the tab where there isn't a relay...and they it should pull straight out. Remove the connector lock and then push down on the release and pull the connector out of the relay at the same time. After plugging in the new relay if it failes to make the compressor work the you will need to take your car to the shop. Bill