1994 940T 116K

I'm on a road trip and I’m experiencing a problem with the AC. Prior to this the system was doing fine at cooling. The belts are new and the AC belt is properly tensioned. I replaced the condenser, and the accumulator three years ago. The compressor is original.

It began as a chirping sound as the compressor would engage each time it cycled on. That symptom went away and all seemed fine until the next day. At that point it sounds like the compressor is occasionally locking up because the belt will scream for four or five seconds before it stops and seems to cool as usual. This was repeating every five minutes or so. After three repeats I turned it off.

Because it was cooling so well (in 90 degree heat) I wouldn’t think it is low on refrigerant. However, the only thing that comes to mind that I might try would be to add some refrigerant. Is this a typical symptom of a failing compressor?

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Any twenty minute job is just a broken bolt away from a three day ordeal