Pontiac Repair: 2003 Sunfire Squeak/stutter, car parts stores, compressor clutch

Question
Hi Todd,
Recently our check engine light came on in our 2003 Sunfire.  Our Uncle the mechanic told us it was nothing and to just keep driving.  Thank goodness for family huh? ;)

Well, now an odd, short but loud metallic squeak noise has been coming out of the engine, and the engine/power stutters from time to time (mostly at higher speeds, but can happen at any time).

When it first started I could always get the squeak to happen by accelerating and then releasing my foot off of the gas... now it seems to happen almost anytime, even idling at a stop light if the car has been running for a while.  The whole problem seems to be steadily worsening.

Looking for a little info before I take it into the shop.  Thanks a mil

Answer
Hey Chris:

I doubt the 2 things have anything in common. as for the light stop by any of thge big box car parts stores and have then scan the car for codes and see what codes are stored and start from there. As for the noise does the car have A/C? If so does it still work? If so when the a/c is on os the noise gone or not? if the noise goes away I would suspect it is from the a/c compressor clutch. If the noise is always there and the a/c does n't work I would still suspect the cluth on the compressor. That is where I would start looking... Good luck :)