My a/c on my new car went out and it started making a funny noise. What could it be?

I have the worst luck. I finally got a new car and today I was driving and my a/c stopped working and I kept hearing this noise. I was driving through down town Fort Worth, so I thought maybe it was just the noise around me (they were doing construction), but I got home and the noise is worse, (it was my car). When the a/c stopped working I smelt a burning smell. Could it be a belt? The belts don't look like they are running right. I'm afraid to go to a mechanic and get a diagnosis because I always get ripped off and I want to have an idea of what it could be. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and any advice is highly appreciated. :)

My a/c on my new car went out and it started making a funny noise. What could it be?
take it to a shop, but before you repair anything, get back on here and lets us know what the diagnosis is and we can help
Reply:There are several things, a water pump, a belt tension, a alternator an A/C compressor. If this car is new then get to the dealership asap and get it fixed, You might think of reading the book "Identifying a Lemon" at lemonprotection.com, it helped me a lot. Good Luck and GOD Bless
Reply:From your description it sounds as tho your A/C belt is slipping and or your A/C compressor/clutch assy. is bad. That would explain the noise as well as the burning smell you describe. If it is a new car as you say then it should be under warranty and if it is a late model used car that you just purchased from a dealer they will hopefully stand behind what they sold you. In any event you need to have it looked at to be sure.
Reply:If it's indeed a new car, it's under warranty. Call the dealer and tell them to send the tow truck because you don't want to damage it by driving it back to them. They will come get it, tow it in and fix it for you.
Reply:take it to any shop and have it checked first,not all shops are rip offs ,at least you can get a hands on opinion of what its doing,after that you,ll have a better idea of whats going on with it,if it was a belt i believe it would have melted it off on that trip,but it needs to be checked ,good luck with it.