Hello everyone,

When I turn on the A/C compressor switch in my 1993 245 the steering becomes very noticeably more difficult, almost as if the power steering stops working. There is also a loud squeaking noise (I presume from the belt) which comes and go's, not fitting any real pattern but mostly during acceleration.

The A/C works in that it blows cool air, but do those symptoms indicate any particular problem? It seems odd that the power steering would be so strongly impacted by having the A/C compressor running. I understand there would be some change from having additional systems running off the same engine power. But it seems too much to be "normal".

And same with the squeaking. That there is some squeaking doesn't seem odd. But the amount of squeaking and how it comes and goes without any apparent pattern (e.g. it doesn't happen only during acceleration or only during idle) seems like it could mean there is a problem.

Thank you for lending me your time and expertise.