2004 Ford Focus

Air conditioning stopped. Local mechanic takes a look but indicated he doesn't have machine to diagnose etc. He places paperclip (jumper) after removing module in fuse box. Air works. He installs new module and air doesn't work. I go to ford dealership. I relate my experience and that first mechanic also placed a paper clip into something on the passenger side of the engine compartment. It did not work. Mechanic finds broken wire and repairs it with connector. It took 4 hours to find the wire. How many wires did he have to check? Is this a reasonable time to find and fix the problem?