I think my A/C compressor is shot...help!

[EuropaVin]

Everytime I turn on my a/c in my 97, the engine stumbles and an obnoxious kind of screeching sound emanates from the engine bay. A quick search of the archives indicated that it could be the other fan (where the radiator is) that isn't working (source of the sound) but i'm not sure. However, my mechanic thinks my compressor is shot.

I'm thinking the culprit was a few bumps that I hit up in Vermont. I can't remember clearly but I think the front bottom of the car (where the AC compressor) may have gotten banged up during those bumps.

So with the imminent arrival of summer around the corner, I'm going to need my AC. Any suggestions on what the problem may be or where I can source an AC compressor without breaking the bank? Thanks!

[Poopie]

search on car-parts.com

sounds like the compressor to me.

[JMG]

Where in the engine bay is the sound coming from? It's usually pretty easy to tell if it's really a fan or belt.

[EuropaVin]

Where in the engine bay is the sound coming from? It's usually pretty easy to tell if it's really a fan or belt.

thats a good question. i'm not sure since the mechanic was the one listening to the sound. I'll check though, I dont think the sound is coming from the fan, that was just a suggestion i saw in an archived post with AC problems so I thought I'd throw it in here as well.

[BeatjunkieXL]

any one got a line on the ac lines for a 97 a4 1.8

[EuropaVin]

search on car-parts.com

sounds like the compressor to me.

best advice ever. just ordered one for a fraction of what it would've cost new.

[Poopie]

glad to help.....i'm was retarded cause i probably could have sold you mine. hahahahaha