Unless you're willing to put up with the extreme summer heat, better replace your busted switch immediately. Like the switches used in other electrically-powered devices, your air conditioning switch starts the operation of your a/c parts. It does this by completing a circuit to allow current flow between conductors.

Now, a/c switches vary depending on their location and function. The most visible of these switches are found on your dashboard. These switches are called dashboard controls. Each switch has a specific function, and these functions include turning your a/c on or off, modifying your blower speeds, switching between temperature ranges and modes, and choosing between re-circulating and fresh airflow.

Aside from these easily accessible and highly-visible switches, your a/c system also has switches for various parts of your a/c assembly. Some of these switches include your pressure switch, cycling clutch switch, condenser fan switch, and temperature switch.