For home air conditioner because everything is wielded in, if you lose coolant, it means a leak. It would take more than 500 to fix it. and may or may not work.
You best chance is to check the switches yourself. ( air conditioner is very simply. open it only few parts.) There are also a capacitor. Check it too. If DIY don't work. For a 20 years air conditioner , it is time for new one. I did that last year.