Yahoo why you not delete answers abusing the system??
I don't trust Jessica's answer above. Sounds like a way to download a virus.
As to the car---the serpentine belt drives the AC compressor. When the serpentine belt is installed it winds around several parts including the AC compressor. There is a "tensioner" which keeps the belt at the proper tension. Make sure this tensioner is working ok----have them show it to you at the repair shop. If the belt is correctly installed and the tensioner is working then the failure of the AC compressor is probably just happenstance.
they over-tensioned the belt and they are sloppy.
1. Yes, the serpentine belt has everything to do with the A/C. The engine drives the serpentine belt which provides power to the air conditioning compressor as well as other accessories such as the water pump (which cools the engine), the alternator (which generates electricity to recharge the battery), and the power steering pump.
2. Is it possible that they screwed up your AC compressor - NO, not really. When an AC system stops working is much more common that the system has a leak and all of the refrigerant has escaped. You can temporarily fix it by just refilling it but it will just leak out again so its best to find and fix the leak then refill the system. however, AC compressors do go bad. so the real question is did this shop actually diagnose the issue and determine that its for sure the compressor? or did they just guess? $378 for parts and labor is very reasonable, I think the quote for an AC compressor in my van was $650.
The flashlight in the hood thing bothers me. That's the kind of mistake that indicates that the mechanic is being sloppy, is disorganized, or trying to work too fast. If that had bounced out it could cause a lot of damage to the engine. I would think about finding a new repair shop if I were you.
Ok so about a week ago i decided to do a maintenance check up on my ford focus 2006 and the told me i should change the brake pads and serpentine belt, it was fine until the next few days the ac was not cooling went back and said my compressor was going bad and they will change it for 378 dollars labor included, my questions are 1. Does the serpentine belt has anything to do with the ac, and 2. Is it possible my mechanic messed up my compressor?, oh one last thing when i took it back i noticed they left inside a flashlight inside my car hood
