My A/C will not come on (which is a pretty big issue right now as you might
imagine). I found that the 50 amp fusible link for the evap fan & A/C relays
was fried to the point of having melted the mount; I cobbled it back
together but no joy. I know it has enough refrigerant in it to not trigger
the low pressure cut out.

You can see the fusible link here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/garciasghostvw/ACWiring#
<http://picasaweb.google.com/garciasghostvw/ACWiring>

I checked all the other fuses and none of them are blown (?). I haven't
gotten to the fusible link for the radiator fan in the dash yet.

So at this point I have a couple of questions:

Given the condition of the link I was thinking I might replace it with
something like this:

http://www.tti-plus.com/8-Gauge-MAXI-Fuse-Holder-W-Weather-Cap-50-AMP-Fuse-p
/tti-maxi-f8g-50.htm

That isn't necessarily the one I want to use; it's just an example of what I
had in mind. Suggestions welcomed.

The thing is that I don't know if something like that is appropriate
compared to the characteristics of the fusible like (slow-blow or fast-blow
or whatever). I don't want to put the wrong thing in there.

Secondly, does anybody know of a systematic approach to troubleshooting the
A/C electrical system? It has a ton of relays, for one thing, and I'm not
sure how one would test those. I'm hoping to avoid the brute-force approach
of following the current from the fuse block back to the compressor and fan,
etc. while the engine is idling or the system is jumpered live or
what-have-you.

Help? : /