Is my AC compressor going out..., ...or do I just need recharge the AC? Options

[conus00]

I was driving on very hot day with the AC on and out of sudden the AC stopped blowing cold air. My g/f said that she smelled something.
Shortly afterward my AC fuse blew. I just replaced it and tried to turn the AC on and blew it again. I noticed some unusual sound coming from the bay so I (temporarily) replaced it with 20A and had my g/f to turn the AC on while looking at the compressor. The belt is moving but when she turns it on the top of the pulley starts making slow jerking moves and does not spin freely (looks like it is locking up).

I know that on her 91 Suburban that is the indication that you have lost all the freon (or whatever they use to fill AC nowadays). Is it the same on Celica and do I just need to recharge my AC or is my compressor just going out?

This post has been edited by conus00: Jun 25, 2010 - 10:11 AM

[conus00]

Is it possible your system was/is just empty?

Nope, I saw the compressor out of the bay. The clutch was shredded.

dang that sucks.. tell me how much it costs to get fixed

The total price was $530 out of the door including tax, labor and freon.
Gotta go back on Monday to let them finish the repairs. The dryer has to replaced too ($30).

So grand total will be $560.

This post has been edited by conus00: Jun 26, 2010 - 10:38 AM