A/C Making Noise

My 99' 323 is making a noise when I turn the AC on and that noise remains until I turn it off, after a few minutes search engine light turns on and don't go away until the AC is turned off. It also, at times, lose power on uphill and lose the normal pick. Any suggestions?

wat does the noise sound like? that would help out

It is a squealing noise which starts right when I turn the AC on and remains until it is turned off.

Hi, I'm the same problem as well but my car will want to stall when the a/c is on and I'm slowing down. Any ideas?

I am thinking it has something to do with the belts since I haven't changed them since I bought the car, but this is non-technical guessing because on last inspection dealership told me to have 'em changed, but I would like to get a technical opinion from someone who had the same problem than to simply speculate.

Yes you need to replace your belt. I did mine a while ago and the noise stopped, however it starts up when it hasn't run in a day or two then it'll go away....

On my '90 325ic it was the alternator belt that was loose and I guess the added drag of the compressor set up a silp and squeal. I tightended the alternator belt and the noise went away.