Weather can make old circuits behave in a ghastly way. I myself experimented a faulty A/C clutch coil during a cold spell (it showed the signs of a false contact since it intermittently lost continuity at the terminals), that apparently fixed itself when warmer and more humid weather came back (in the meanwhile, i've bought a spare coil just in case it fails definitely). The "i need to apply force" part, provided you're referring to the switch in the steering wheel, likely means that the problem isn't in the relay, but in the switch you're actually pressing. Try disassembling it and checking for any oxidation or false contact.