OK. So yesterday my wife was driving home and the car started acting up.

First thing, the AC stopped blowing cold air, as if the fan was on. Nothing else other than that at first.

When she stopped the car at home and turned it off, there was some smoke and burning hair smell coming from the engine compartment. Within a few minutes of stopping the car, the smoking dissipated.

Now, when I start the car, there's a high pitched squealing noise. Like a belt I guess. But very loud, and constant. Engine starts and runs, but there's the noise. Not sure about smell, because I haven't really let it run long.

Another symptom, on the dash the battery meter doesn't budge from 0 when I start the car.


Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Sounds like compressor died and the A/C belt is squealing.
Turn off A/C and see if it quiets down.

 

I would check the crank pulley.