Do I need the compressor belt?

When I bought my 2001 Tacoma the serpentine belt that runs to the compressor was missing, but it’s been driving just fine (with no AC of course). Recently in the cold weather my other serpentine belts have started squealing for a few seconds on a cold start and the power steering belt is starting to fray on the sides just a bit. I was going to replace the belts going to the power steering and alternator for now, but should I even worry about the compressor belt? The idler pulley for the compressor is seized so I’d have to replace that too. Just trying to get by replacing as little as possible until summer when I commit to replacing the timing belt, water pump, etc, and I’ll do the compressor and idler pulley then. Mainly because it’s too cold to work outside right now for very long, and I don’t I don’t have a garage.

 

Nah
Missing belt not squealing

RR ac belt when the warmer arrives (and you start all that other work)

 

If your defrost isn’t working as well as it should you may want it, otherwise it’s fine to leave off.

 

They removed the belt cuz the ac belt tensioner is seized as you stated most likely so they can continue to drive it.
My buddy had one & the ac compressor was actually taking a dump, no idea if it was just the clutch field & pulley or internal compressor failure.
Did the same thing, removed the belt so he can keep on trucking...

 

I guess my other question is- could the lack of the third belt possibly be causing the squealing? Since all three belts wrap around the water pump, my thought is that maybe the water pump doesn’t have enough friction on the cold start and causes the other belts to slip? Just spit ballin lol

 

doubtful,
most likely loose belt