A/C compressor does not run in 98 beetle automatic. Fuses are good but I have not tracked down the other permissives that allow the compressor to run. Are there any common failures for this year and model such as switches or relays?

 

There are a lot of sensors, switches and a couple of relays that could be the problem. First, are your cooling fans running?

 

The cooling fans cycle on and off during normal driving with the A/C compressor off but do not turn on when the compressor has been switched on. I tried this after the car was up to normal operating temperature and after I saw the fans cycle a few times.

 

Try checking your cooling fans. Mine got nasty wirings & some busted relays & some sensors screwed up.

 

If that so,maybe you need to fix it up first and see if the problem was still there.Wiring and sensors should be on their right places.That is,we can determine where's the problem coming from.