Welcome. If it is the WP belt, you can easily tell by removing the 3 7mm bolts on the plastic cover between the engine and the radiator. The belt can be easily removed by pushing in the idler pulley. The belt costs about $12 and most autoparts stores have it in stock. If you haven't changed it in 7 years, it might be a good idea to do it. It should take you about 5 minutes to do.

Chongo has a good picture of the WP belt.

http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=1003685&Forum=All_Forums&Words=12463&Match=Username&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=1003556&Search=true#Post1003685


Now, you mentioned that it happens when the A/C is off. Maybe the sound is actually from the passenger side?


"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles