Lexus RX350, 2009: A few days ago noticed a sound coming from one of the pulleys/belts on the engine right when starting. After a few minutes, sound goes away. Then, Air Conditioner started going out after about 10 minutes of driving (in 104-degree TX record heat). It blows super cold then super hot air. Fans are running. I think the compressor is being triggered to stop. I was driving and turned on the heater for a moment to try and thaw the coils. Right when I did that, all of the engine lights / red oil light / VSC light came on, and car engine wouldn't turn over (battery/alternator was OK). In the heat, I could not get it to start after maybe 15 minutes. Got a tow home. Came back a few hours later, after dark. Car had cooled down and turned on just fine. Drove it home. A/C worked the first few minutes then went to hot air again. Bringing it to mechanic, but any thoughts to help them out?

 

Wouldn't be surprised if your A/C compressor was self destructing because:

1) As compressor particles jam it, it will seize and cause drive belt to slip making it squeal
2) Engine will not turn over if A/C on because compressor is not allowing belt to move, try starting it with A/C turned OFF
3) After it cools, A/C may not be automatically starting, so is OFF, allowing engine to crank.

Verdict, new A/C compressor needed, condenser, high pressure pipes, and flush the rest, plus a new drive belt.

This is a $500 DIY job, likely 1,500 at dealer, if it is a bad A/C compressor.