2001 SC1 a/c problem

Hi,
I've just bought a 2001 sc1 and the air conditioner compressor only occasionally kicks in when I press the a/c button. The service guy at the dealer I bought the car from tells me there's some kind of outside air temp. sensor which won't allow the a/c to compressor to kick in when it's cold outside. Is this true? He also said if I ever want to check to see if the compressor is working, I should just turn the fan switch to defrost, then the a/c would automatically kick in, and it does but also only intermittently. When I was at the dealer yesterday to get my power roof motor fixed, the a/c compressor was working, but today it isn't again. I just bought the car last week, so I still have plenty of time left on my 3 month warranty, so getting it fixed isn't a problem so long as it the a/c doesn't decide to work every time I bring in the car for service! Anyway, any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

is there any change in the frequency the compressor comes on when you move the thermostat all the way to cold (blue)? (this is assuming the newer saturns still have that)

if ambeint temp is below a certain temp the A/C will not come on.(i have heard of anywhere between 26F-40F, but thats not to say the sensor isn't bad)

if the compressor cycles on and off ever now and then but it cools normally then there is no problem. the system is designed to cycle so the compressor only works when it is needed.

Thank you for your kindly replies. I did get wind that the A/C will not come on below a certain temperature. Now that it's warming up here in NH, the A/C will work when the ambient temp. is above 40ish.

Thank you again.

if ambeint temp is below a certain temp the A/C will not come on.(i have heard of anywhere between 26F-40F, but thats not to say the sensor isn't bad)

if the compressor cycles on and off ever now and then but it cools normally then there is no problem. the system is designed to cycle so the compressor only works when it is needed.