ok, base on my very limited understanding..
1. check contactor if 24v.
1.1 if yes, bad contactor.
1.2 if no, go to control board.
2. control board, white=W=heat, yellow=Y=cool, brown=C=common, red=R=24v.
2.1 use voltage meter, check C+R, if 24v.
2.2 if no, goto 4, transformer.
2.3 if yes, goto 3.
3. if 24v on C+R, connect Y+R, condenser should kick on.
3.1 if condenser doesn't kick on, possible bad thermostat wire or bad thermostat. goto 5.
4. transformer.
4.1 check 110v input, if no input, bad wire.
4.2 check 24v output, if no output, bad transformer.
5. thermostat, white=W=heat, yellow=Y=cool, brown=C=common, red=R=24v, green=G=fan.
5.1 connect Y+R, if condenser on, bad thermostat.
5.2 if condenser doesn't kick on, bad thermostat wire.