starting and AC issues

[braden]

ok, so first off, i don't know too much about cars so i'm going to do the best i can..

my car: 98 ford escort zx2 auto

the car has issues starting. i've never not been able to start it, so it's not that big of a deal now, just more of an annoyance. it seems its worse when the weather conditions are either too warm or too cold. i usually have to turn the key 2 or 3 times before it finally fires and i find myself having to pump the gas often to get it to start. ive changed my spark plugs and wires and it hasn't helped. back in the spring i cleaned out the throttle body and it helped a little bit but didn't last long...


my ac also doesn't work.my fan is working fine and the compressor seems to want to start. my fuses aren't blown, and i checked the pressure at the low end valve for the refrigerant and it showed it as full.

any idea how these issues can be resolved?

helpful comments are appreciated