# 99 Beetle AC Probelm (No Cold Air/Rattling sound) **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** beetle, airconditioning, volkswagen\ **Created:** [August 18, 2007, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-beetle-ac-probelm-no-cold-air-rattling-sound/3284 "2007-08-18T17:42:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![volksvolks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/919ad9/32.png) [@volksvolks](https://community.cartalk.com/u/volksvolks)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2007, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-beetle-ac-probelm-no-cold-air-rattling-sound/3284/1 "2007-08-18T17:42:47Z")
Car: 1999 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0 Liter I’ll try and keep it short and sweet. Problem The AC no longer blows cold air. When you turn the it on, there is a rattling sound coming from under the hood. When you turn the AC off, the sound goes away. It kind of sounds like there’s a woodpecker under there hammering away. But it doesn’t sound terrible. When the fan is turned on without the AC button depressed, there’s no woodpecker sound – so it’s definitely AC related. The sound is coming from under the hood on the passenger side CLOSER to the firewall I believe. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Riviera\_1990](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/big_riviera_1990/32/43_2.png) [@Big\_Riviera\_1990](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Big_Riviera_1990)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2007, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-beetle-ac-probelm-no-cold-air-rattling-sound/3284/2 "2007-08-18T17:51:55Z")
Sounds like the A/C compressor or clutch is on its way out. The system is probably empty of refrigerant, so the compressor is likely running without oil. Every time you start the A/C, you’re causing damage. You will have to stop trying to use it. Take this car down to an A/C shop to have it looked at. The technicians will provide a diagnosis. You can post their diagnosis back here. -Matt