Answer:
I have a "98 Mercury and my air conditioning went out. I went to one outfit and the fellow said my compressor was out: about $650. When he was under the hood I felt cold air coming out only for a few moments. I told him this.
Of course I told him no thanks. A few days later I went to another outfit. How he tested it'; he tapped on the, whatever and there was cold air again. It cost me $67 including the part. The first guy was just a thief preying on a "dumb" woman.
I hope this works for you.