If you were getting cold air, the compressor coil was activated. It is the device which "turns on" the air conditioning. It's an electric coil on the front of the compressor which is used to generate a magnetic field - it's basically a modest size electromagnet. When active, it literally pulls the clutch plate against the rotating pulley, and the compressor starts spinning.

Anyways, my point is the compressor coil was active all those 2-3 minutes. I can't think of what else could kick in on that circuit after a few minutes.

This is a 124 chassis, right? The electric water pump shouldn't be a problem. Sure, they go bad, but the PBU includes short circuit protection against a bad water pump. As well, the pump doesn't run until the PBU decides to mix in a little heat. This only happens after the car cools down, and begins to get too cold. So you won't see any symptoms from a bad aux water pump in the first few minutes after the car is started. (Well, unless you live somewhere not very warm.)

Radio Shack is a decent place to buy a DVM. Make sure you get a digital unit, with autoranging. They're common as dirt, so shouldn't be difficult to find. I haven't bought one for 10 years, but it was only $25 back then.

Thought of something. If the resistance on the compressor coil checks out OK, try installing a new fuse and running until (?) it fails. Then immediately recheck the resistance. It may only short out when it's hot, but be OK when cool. It's unusual, but I've encountered wierder things.

- JimY