I have a 2001 Passat GLS 4 Motion wagon with a V6. My air conditioner has never been great, but recently it quit working all together. I think the compressor may be bad, since the engine does not change sounds when the a/c button is depressed. Is there any way I can know for sure before I spend $$ on a new compressor? Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Evan

 

i own a 1999 passat and my ac compressor shorted out and fried all my wiring to my ac. it might by a short in the compressor. be carefull i thought it was just that my car needed frion and when i was putting frion thats when the wiring decided to fry. lots of smoke and pants ****ting.

 

It turns out that my a/c switch was bad. It wasn't sending voltage to the compressor clutch so that it would engage.