I have a 95 Isuzu Rodeo 3.2L (6 cyl). I was hoping that someone could give me some insight into A/C problems before I took it to a shop. Here's some details.

When it was working:
I had a small Freon leak. Compared with other cars, I would rate the cold about 50%. There has always been a high pitch noise coming from the A/C every time I used it. I could never hear it from inside the truck with the windows up. The noise remained as long as the AC was on. It's been the same for about 2 years, when I discovered the A/C just needed Freon to work.

Stop working:
Started making a loud, mid-high pitch noise and stop working. The blue A/C light inside the truck turns on and the fan works (if it matters).

Note:
The last time Freon was added, it was overfilled. I mention this if pressure could be a cause. This was about 8 months ago.

Any insight would be appreciated, so I can seem somewhat knowledgeable when I take it to a shop. If it's the compressor, how hard is it to replace and what would be a estimated cost (low and high)?

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

If it was making noise anyway then the bearings in your
compressor were probably already shot, or the clutch, either
way, you are looking at 200 approximately for the part, and
another 150 - 250 to install it, if you don't do it yourself, and
another 3 dollars per ounce of freon at 34 ounces, and an hours
labor for the evacuation.

I'd say 500 bucks should put you back in the game, and that's if
there's not another part needing replaced because of the original
leak.

BTW, the light and fan will work regardless of what you have in it
or don't have in it.