99 explorer ac problem

as of last week my ac stopped blowing cool air. so i thought it just needed a recharge. after checking the gauge there was already the proper amount of freon in the vehicle. However, the compressor is spinning very slow and squeaking. how can i fix this?

The clutch on the AC compressor is slipping. The cause could be the clutch itself or a bad relay or wiring connection. Apply 12 volts to the compressor wires and see if the clutch works OK. If so you have a bad relay or wiring. If the clutch slips and squeaks as before with 12 volts to the compressor the problem is most likely the clutch itself or a bad compressor.

You may also want to check the clearance of the clutch to make sure it isn't loose and the gap growing. If that's the case, you'll want to get it fixed before it flies apart and the belt comes off.

Are you sure it's the A/C clutch that's making noise and not the idler/self tensioner pulley that's not properly tensioning the belt, allowing it to slip on the A/C compressor pulley?

-Rod