Hello,
My A/C just stopped working today. It is hot as all get out (100+degF). There is indication of some belt burning in the form of black powder around the compressor pulley. I popped the hood and at first noticed the compressor clutch was spinning very slowly (100? rpm) but then sped up, and then slowed down again. It wasn't the ON/OFF phenomenon of too little refrigerant, or at least not as I have seen it in the past. The air isn't blowing cold at all.

Is the compressor shot or should I look into other things?

The belt tension is pretty tight, but that is somewhat a phenomenon of the high temp today as when I checked it two days ago it had a good 3/4" of play.

Thanks a lot, open windows just don't cut it in this heat.

---
UPDATE: I just went back down to the car after letting her cool off. The compressor was now cool enough to touch so I hand spun the compressor and it spun easily enough. The belt had about 1/2" of play to it. I then fired up the car and AC and low and behold, the compressor spun right up and the AC blew cold. What gives? When the car is cooler, the AC works? Is this just a belt tension issue?

Thanks again.