You may want to check the pressures of the refrigrant. When it gets low the unit will not come on.
You should find the fuse and the relays under the hood. Look for a black plastic cover. I have a '95 amd '02 so I am not sure about the '97. The '02 has fuse under the hood and fuse and battery is under the back seat.
If you don't locate the trouble you can try this site:
http://www.autoacforum.com/categories.cfm?catid=2
They are very helpful with ac problems but they are gonna ask you about the pressures