AC Trouble :(

welp, after 153,000, the AC has gone out. When I turn it on, it will screech pretty loudly (its coming from the AC/outside, not a fan or blower inside). I can turn off the AC inside and usually the squealing stops, if not ill turn the truck off/back on and it seems to be fine. I am no mechanic but I'm thinking this is either the clutch not engaging or something internal to the compressor. I had someone turn on AC while I was watching the AC/pulley but like an idiot can't remember if the clutch actually engaged or not.

so...up here in Maine and I'm poor - what's the most cost effective way to fix this? I am no mechanic, have somewhat changed my alternator in the past.

Also, is there any danger to driving while its non operational? I've been staying away from using the defroster as (I believe anyway) uses the AC. One note here: it doesn't seem to screech as far as I recall when using the defroster, the AC light will just blink.


Thanks for any help!

 

Sounds like the compressor has locked up, can you rotate the face of the compressor by hand with the engine off?