bluelights81

Hello all. I've spent hours reading over countless threads searching for A/C troubleshooting, but the more I read, the more confused I get. I think I have a pretty simple problem, that probably has a pretty simple answer. I am a pretty novice automotively, but don't know anything about electrical systems on cars...

I have a '97 Honda Accord DX, auto. Up until two weeks ago, the A/C worked great. Ice cold, plenty of flow on each setting, etc.

1. Two weeks ago, I noticed it was warm, zero coldness, and furthermore, as I would press the A/C button inside the car on and off, the compressor would not engage (as you can feel the draw on the engine). The
cooling fans weren't engaging either.

2. I started with the simplest and cheapest of possible fixes and checked the fuse for the 'Condensor Fan' under the hood. There was a 20 amp in it, when the car calls for a 15 amp. Swapped it. Everything worked,
back to normal for a good week or two!! Thought that was a fix.

3. A few days ago, same problem happened again. Checked fuse (was good). Could hear an occasional 'clicking' sound from the 'Cooling Fan Relay' in the under-the-hood fuse box. Fans also weren't working. I'd
pull the relay in and out a few times and the compressor and fans would come out for a second or two, but then stop.

4. Again not knowing much about electrical systems, I went to a junk yard and got 2 identical relays. Put both of them in and in each time, heard that distinctive 'clicking' sound from that relay, compressor and fans
would engage and then nothing.

I am lost. Tomorrow I am planning on renting a manifold gauge tool from Autozone and checking the pressure on both low and high sides, as I've read that not enough and/or too much refrigerant will cause the compressor to not engage. I know there are two A/C specific relays for the 'compressor clutch' and 'condensor fan', however I heard that distinctive clicking from the cooling fan relay.

I included a picture of the relay I heard clicking and have tried three of none of them keep the compressor and fans on.

ANY help, guidance and/or possible causes would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!