The first thing to check... refrigerant pressure. It's almost ALWAYS the refrigerant. The design of an automotive refrigeration A/C system isl not quite the same as your kitchen refrigerator, which almost NEVER leaks refrigerant.
The hoses and compressor seal on your automotive AC leak. It may be a very slow leak, but they ALL leak, so before you put a lot of money into speculation, check the pressures on the AC system and if it's low, add refrigerant.
Having said that, it CAN be a failed compressor clutch, downright worn out compressor, bad fuse or worn out switch.
... but start with the refrigerant.
I have a95 sl1 saturn with a bad ac compress that rattles and want torerout the serpentine belt off the compress. What is the typical cost and is it worth it?
Most 1994 vehicles used Freon 12 in the AC system, but they can be easily converted to the more affordable (and much more available) 134A refrigerant.
Use only 134-A
It depends on what is wrong with it. Take it to a good garage.
How can I know with no more information than this? Seek out professional help.
1) Defective water pump 2) Stuck thermostat 3) Broken positioning tab inside thermostat housing (located at engine block on front side under AC compressor, if you have AC).
I drove my 1995 Saturn sl2 until it had 263,000 miles on it. At that time, the transmission started to slip. I then gave it to a friend, to buy a newer Saturn sl1.
You probably have a bad coolant temperature switch, this are fairly cheap and easy to install.
This is normal for most cars, as long as it is not overheating and the cooling fan kicks on it should be ok.
Probably bad brushes in the motor.
The squeal when you turn on the AC or heater is a loose fan belt. It may be cracked and need replaced, or it may just need tightened.
The AC compressor on most SL vehicles is on the passenger side, just in front of the engine. Both the high and low ports are connected to the aluminum tubes that connect to the compressor.