RJR: Cool, I'll check the voltage on that connector and see what's up.

As far as the source of the problem, I can't think of anything else that could be making that type of noise. It's definitely a compressor type noise. I don't have onboard air for tires or anything. I know it's not the power steering. That makes a wholly different noise.

I will do some further investigating but I'm 99% sure it's the A/C compressor.

Thanks again for the help! You rock

 

Okay, got ~10VDC across the black and white wire on the top connector (without arrows in the pic) grounding to the black wire.

I guess I'm going to have to start chasing down wires until I figure out what's powering the compressor clutch >.<

 

remove belt, easy fix, but no more A/C. this is definitely an odd problem, i don't think i've ever heard or seen that happen