My air won't work on auto butt will on on. When I put it on on the blower blows but the unit outside won't come on. I have to manually push in contact button. When I push in contact button it works fine. I have changed the thermostat but it didn't help

Sounds like the contactor is bad if it works.mechanically.

If u push the contact button in with a stick it runs fine. If u set the thermostat it won't come on. U have to manually hold button in.. will that hurt anything by holding the button in with a stick till I figure out the problem.

No. It does shut off?

I have a stick propped up holding the button in. When it gets to the right temp I go out and take the stick out. Do u still think its the contactor.