It is difficult to test a/c now because if outside temp. is low, the copmressor would behave the way you described. If you read the manual, it says that on the car w/ auto climate control a/c would not even kick in if the temp. falls below 32F. Last year my '95 had similar symptoms in the spring, and I charged it w/ 1 can of freon - as a result I overcharged the system.
At this time of year you can ask your mechanic to evacute the system and see how much freon come out - should be ~1.6 lbs. If significantly less - then there is a leak. If the number is close to 1.6 lbs., then the system works fine properly