98 Civic - Engine Problems - Due to air conditioner

I am experiencing a problem w/ my civic. Whenever I push the A/C
Button to start the air conditioning compressor 4 things happen. 1. a
clicking/grinding sound (which gets louder/faster w/ acceleration) 2.
sparatic engine power loss 3. during sparactic power loss, the cold
air varies from pretty cold to same temp as fan/blower would produce &
4. there will be a sqeaking sound when shifting (5-speed manual)
transmission.

If I turn of the compressor, the but leave the fan/blower on,
everything is fine and the car has its maximum power and all is well
(minus not having a/c).

Any ideas, I talked to a few people and some lean towards the drive
belt(s) and others the compressor. Anyone experience a similar
situation.

 

sporadic

 

There may be a few things wrong here but the squeaking sound when
shifting is the belt for the A/C compressor which needs to be
tightened.
The clicking/grinding noise does that occur when only shifting as well
or does this occur all of the time?

Nick

 

It sounds like the compressor needs to be looked at. A loose belt can
cause squeaking and it can cause the AC to cycle on and off but it
doesn't cause grinding.