rickie

When I turn my AC on I'm getting a strange slight ticking type noise. It gets faster and louder as engine speed goes up. I know its something in the AC system because the noise dissapears when I turn the AC off. I've gotten under her and taken a close up look at the compressor. I thought (ok hoped!) it was just the clutch and I was expecting to see maybe clutch dust, oil, grease, etc on the compressor body around the clutch but didn't see anything like that. Also the front face of the clutch turned easily without much effort and felt very smooth. So I'm wondering if that means its the compressor itself? Has anyone experienced anything like that?

Thanks for any help ladies and gents