I have been noticing a louder than normal sound when the air conditioner or defroster is turned off (so AC clutch is disengaged). I can observer the clutch looking a bit "wobbly" looking. But when I turn on the AC and the clutch engages, the sound goes away and it looks ok.

Then recently I have been smelling an odd hot/burning smell in the cabin and I got out and looked at the AC. When the AC is off, I can see the clutch plate slightly turning where it typically wouldn't be turning at all. It kind of grabs and turns maybe 1/8th of a turn, then stops, then grabs again. Then when I turn the AC on, the clutch will engage, but then the clutch plate appears to be turning at an irregular speed and much too slowly...like it is slipping. Also, after a short drive I noticed the clutch plate felt very hot.

I know these can be replaced, but I have never worked on an AC clutch and know littler about them besides the basic principal of the coil causing the clutch plate to engage with the pulley wheel. Is this simply a sign that that clutch is bad and needs to be replaced, or could it be an issue with the compressor? Thanks.

Another question, I have been looking at the replacement parts listed for my vehicle and it comes up with the 3-eye clutch plate and mine is the "leaf spring" type none of the parts I look up for my year show the leaf spring plate. I am assuming you can swap the plates on these? The service manual shows how to remove both types so I assume they were used interchangeably.