So I was driving my 1999 Accord LX the other day, and realized that the air conditioner began to blow hot air. I looked at the engine temperature, and it was within normal range. So I rolled down the windows, then saw and smell smoke coming out from the hood.

I parked and turned off the car, popped the hood, and turned the car on again with the air conditioner OFF. The belts and pulleys seemed to be running normally, so I turned the air conditioner ON again; then I heard this loud noise as if rubber was grinding on metal.

So I know I have an A/C problem, but is the problem coming from the A/C compressor, or the clutch, or elsewhere? Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

From your description the A/C compressor is locked up. If it was just the bearing locking up the belt would smoke all the time.

 

Does this mean I have to completely replace the A/C compressor? Or could this be repaired?

 

salvage yard compressor and a new dryer, hope that the system isn't contaminated from the old compressor coming apart, don't vent off the freon, have it recovered for reuse.
Look in the lines when you take them off the compressor for shiny silver particles if they are in the lines a system flush will be needed.

 

Been there done that. Your compressor is seized. Do not take short cuts with this repair or it will end up costing you more in the long run. Have the compressor replaced along with the dryer, condensor and any rubber hoses that are original to the car. You can do the job yourself, and save a few hundred bucks or dole it out to a good shop and let them deal with it. If you do it yourself, plan on spending about $900, if you go to a shop, plan on laying out close to $2000 or better.

DYI presentation:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/...R.PPS

 

do it right or don't do it at all