A/C Compressor Troubles

[Bill Schleusner <b-schleusner@ti.com>]

Don was kind enough to answer the following question -
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>Since it has been getting warmer (almost 90 today!) here in S. Carolina, I
>have been noticing that my A/C compressor is slow to engage when first
>turned on after the car is started.  I remember first noticing this last
>summer, but didn't think much about it.  What happens is that I start the
>car, then turn on the A/C with the pushbutton switch -  I timed it for the
>first time today and it took about 45 seconds before the clutch on the
>compressor engaged.  Usually, when this has happened in the past, the
>compressor kicks in by the time I reach the road when leaving work - i.e.
>it has ALWAYS come on after some sort of delay.  Is this normal???  Is this
>one of those "safety" delays like the one Arthur mentioned many months back
>regarding the cruise control?  I've got some ideas from the Bently manual
>to pursue if y'all tell me that this isn't right.
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Luke, Have you put a thermonmeter in the center vent to check the output
temperature? There is a pressure switch located on the receiver dryer.
Most times this part will fail and cause the compressor not to kick in.

Since Luke broached the subject I would like to interject....

The A/C on my GLX will occasionally kick off in traffic on a hot day here in
Dallas (which includes May-September) and then re-engage.  Needless to say this
is most annoying when the outside temp is approaching 100F.  Does the above
mentioned pressure switch disengage when the engine reaches a certain operating
tempurature?  My oil temp, according to my MFA, has not exceeded 220F since my
oil cooler installation (thanks again Jason). The service rep at Central VW in
Dallas 
said this was normal.  At what temp does the pressure switch disengage?  Any
help
would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I don't hear my auxiliary water pump any longer, the one that circulates
water
after the engine is turned off. That, or it's become extremely quiet. Just an
observation, I'll open the hood and listen more carefully before I take the car
in.
 
BTW, I purchased my car from Metro in Irving, largest dealer in Texas. Have
warranty
work done (none necessary so far) at Central, parts and service open 'til
midnight 
Mon-Fri. 

I receive the digest, so I reply in digest version.   

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Bill Schleusner
97GLX "Old Fart" edition
Nobody spanks my baby unless she's in the mood....
Garret 06, K&N(mod airbox), oil cooler
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