2002 Mercury Sable: Understanding AC from inside the cabin

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2002 Mercury Sable.

Usual story: it's long and I'll tell you the story if you ask, but the short of it is that the AC was working before the car went in to the shop, wasn't working when it came out, and I am obliged to fix it myself. (Taking it back to the shop isn't an option, so don't suggest it. It's a long story, as I said.)

Anyhow, the mechanic missed a connection so there was no airflow from the dash vents. This leads me to believe that he probably screwed up some other stuff while he was in there. (I reconnected the tube, so that works now.)

The AC compressor isn't coming on, and the shop owner told me that the sensor isn't picking up the cabin temperature (very warm here in Missouri.)

I'm trying to get an understanding of the cabin side of the air conditioning: the tubs, cables, sensors, etc, but I can't find any resources online. I can work out what needs doing, I think, but I don't have a starting point.

So, I'm looking for things like "See that bit there? It does this..." and "That long white hose? That does this..." Anyone care to take a stab at it? Or point me to a web page or document?

- Bill

Measure with a micrometer.
Mark with a crayon.
Cut with an ax.