> MY QUESTION IS: Why did the AC stop working Saturday afternoon? Is the
> AC related to the water pump, or is my car just smart enough to quit the
> cooling process when an overheating is imminent?
The a/c is not directly related to the water pump. Many vehicles, such as your Coutour, that have a/c compressors controlled by the PCM will prohibit a/c compressor clutch operation if the engine exceeds a certain temperature.
Roger