How to diagnose the A.C.

The only way to know for sure what is wrong is to have a set of AC guages put on and pressures checked. It is possible you had a leak and all of the freon leaked out at once. Thus giving you the smoke indication. You can look the AC lines over to see if you see any AC oil to include around the AC compressor.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS NEEDED

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_a-c-r-134a-manifold-gauge-set-with-72-hose-and-couplers-robinair_99994747-p?searchTerm=a%2Fc+gauges

THEN.....YOU SORTA GOTTA BE SCHOOLED ON USING THEM CORRECTLY

BEST BET (IF IT WERE ME)....AT LEAST GET A DIAGNOSIS, MAYBE YOU COULD STILL DO THE REPAIR YOURSELF...AGAIN, MORE SPECIAL TOOLS ARE NEEDED TO RECHARGE THE SYSTEM

GO TO YOUR POPULAR AUTO PARTS STORES (MORE THAN ONE MIGHT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER) ASK TO SPEAK TO THE "COMMERCIAL SALES MANAGER".

MOST LIKELY AS HE HAS MADE IT THRU THE RANKS, HE HAS VISITED MANY OF THE LOCAL SHOPS AND HAS DELIVERED PARTS TO THEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME. JUST FROM SEEING THESE OPERATIONS, HE MOST LIKELY WILL KNOW WHO DOES GREAT WORK, IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND POSSIBLY AT WONDERFUL RATES.

YOUR KEY QUESTION TO ASK, JUST BEFORE YOUR CONVERSATION IS OVER: "WOULD YOU SEND YOUR OWN MAMA THERE?"

IF YOU HAPPEN TO TRY ANOTHER STORE....SEE IF THE SAME NAME(S) COME UP

PERSONALLY, I LIKE THOSE DECENT-WAY OUT-RURAL SHOPS

DO LET US KNOW YOUR OUTCOME

THE MEDIC

You need not buy the gauges. Renting them would be a better option.

Here is a couple of other websites for you. Also, AutoZone has a CD on how to service your AC.

http://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system
http://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak