Cadillac Repair: 1975 Cadillac A/C, shell service station, crackling sound

Question
Bill, the AC on my 1975 Cadillac Sedan de Ville only turns on when the lever on the control panel is moved to the "HI" position and "DEF" positions.  The guys at the local Shell service station recharged it but it still did not blow cold and they said that the control panel just needed to be replaced.  The temperature control wheel seems to work fine as the heat blows hot when it is in that position, it just doesn't blow cold.  The part of the AC just below the glove compartment also makes a crackling sound when the ac is on.  

Also, the "GENERATOR" light comes on when I start the car but as I accelerate, it slowly goes out.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks-a-million!
Joe  

Answer
Hi Joseph, Seems that the older cars will have the gen light turn on eithor because the idle speed is too slow or the belt is slipping. The fact that the light turns off means the alt. is charging so I wouldn't be too concerned right now. As for the a/c...it is alittle before my time and do not have any service info for it. However the fact that there is a crackle noise might mean that the hot/cold door is stripped out and the motor needs to get replaced. You might be able to disconnect the linkage rod and wire it in the cold position for summer if you don't want to get it fixed. The blower motor  should be ok but the switch might be worn out or the resistor assembly might have gone open. Further testing will need to be done to find the problem part. Bill