My air has been working ok (doesn't exactly freeze you out, but does come on). Today driving on the highway I started hearing a squeel.

It sounded like a belt and there was some smoke. I quickly turned off the air and the car went back to normal. Any thoughts as to what this is? Is there an AC belt driving my compressor?

One other thought on this that may help is that when I turn on the compressor the engine would rattle more than usual. Perhaps this is related???

I need to avoid trips to the shop. I've loaded enough into the AC already so any help is really appreciated.

I'd be willing to bet it's a compressor related problem. Did it sound like a belt squeal? The poor cooling could be due to low refridgerant. The squeal and smoke may be coincidental. Very likely they're related though. See any visible damage under the hood?

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1984 190D 2.2 Auto 220k
2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 70K
2004 Lexus RX-330 ??K
2005 Chrylser Crossfire LTD 6K

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I can't see any damage but turning on the air now makes the engine slow and shudder. The squealing starts right away. I tried to see the problem but don't want to risk running the car for too long with the AC on.

Lack of freon/lubricant causing the compressor to seize, drive belt being forced to turn around the seiezed compressor pulley? Put a mark on the pulley, start the engine, engage the AC and look to see if the pulley is turning or stationary with the belt moving. Don't do this for too long, if the compressor is seized you can disconnect the power to the electric clutch or take off the AC drive belt depending on what car it is?! Using the defroster will engage the AC even with the heat on, so its best to disable the compressor. Good Luck!

Sounds like the compressor has given up. You can confirm this by removing the belt, turning on the air so that the clutch engages, and WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING but the key on, turn the compressor by hand to see if it has a metallic rough feel to it. If so, you are in for a real problem. You will have to replace the compressor and FLUSH THE SYSTEM THOROUGHLY. After the flushing, the system should be reassembled with a new filter drier, evacuated and recharged.

Best of luck,

I suggest you buy a rebuilt compressor from NAPA. You can get one for under $125. Yours is about to self destruct it it hasn't already. Be sure to replace the receiver/dryer and convert to R134A at the same time.

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Orland Park, IL
1985 300SD 215,000 miles

Make sure that the rebuilt compressor is not a four seasons rebuild. These things are notorious for quick failures. I opted to buy a compressor from the dealer over buying one for my Dodge last fall. Almost everybody that has used them in the forums that I've read, has had them die within months.

I have changed the compressor (new one, as I also hear rebuilds fail quickly). Now it is ice cold. I am happy now, but not impressed with the shop who told me that the old amount of cold air was just the way it is.

It seems to me they likely should have known that there was another problem. It would have saved me a loss of freon.