running a/c in winter

["Solomon Ngan" <sngan@netaccess.on.ca>]

Hi guys,
I understand that the a/c should be run once in a while in winter to 
keep all components lubricated, and so on.
Just yesterday the weather here (in Canada) was getting warm enough 
to do the winter "a/c work-out".   When I push the a/c switch, 
nothing happens.  I mean absolutely no response at all;  no red light 
indicating a/c is selected, a/c clutch did not move at all, rpm of 
engine remained unchanged, the "rec" switch did not change the vent 
louver position.

I did not know what to do.

However, a few hours later when I started my car again and tried the 
a/c unit, guess what, everything kicked in as if nothing had happened 
earlier - indeed that was the case.  The a/c seemed to work fine.

Could someone explain why ?

The only speculation is that the compressor or the condensing unit 
may require certain warm-up after a prolonged period of inactivity.  
Before the warm-up is complete, the unit won't start.  Am I close ?

_________________________________

Solomon Ngan <sngan@netaccess.on.ca>
  '93 100s
  '90 90q20v