Have a '98 Ford Escort Wagon - AT, Power Steering - 197,000 miles. Last summer the AC stopped working. Checked & it had freon, but couldn't get compressor to start. Yesterday I tried the AC & it was working & cooling very good, until the drive belt broke. Replaced the belt & now the compressor won't start, like before. Any suggestions on what to try?

if you have B+ to the clutch then it is a siezed pump of a bad clutch. Does the belt squack when the a/c turns on ? does it work if you "help" the clutch pull in?

You know the compressor works- but apparently only when it wants to.
It is possible that it is a problem with the switch... I think the first think I would try is giving the wiring a bit of a jiggle and see if you can persuade it to start working again... if it does then you will just have to isolate the defective area.

If the belt broke I'd say the compressor seized. :2cents: