99 Beetle AC and Engine Cooling Fan

1) I have a 1999 Beetle. I took it on 300 mile trip yesterday. First long trip in a while. Now today I got in it to go and when I turned the AC on it makes a loud noise under the hood. When I accelerate it gets louder. When I turn AC switch off no noise. Can you help me?

2) Now that I hear this problem I started reading and now I am thinking. I can't remember hearing my Engine Cooling Fan running lately after I stop my car? Can these 2 be related or??????? Help.... Thank you!!

Could be the A/C compressor on its way out or it could be mounted loose - try to physically move compressor. Dunno if the fans are supposed to run after switchdown - ours certainly never have and we live in the tropics.
Did anything "unusual" happen on your trip - could give a clue.
Good Luck.

Thanks Hako:

Nothing "unusual" happenend on the trip that I know of. It was just a good basic 6 hours of interstate driving in between shopping. I am just sick as this doesn't sound like something I can fix myself. I don't want to keep running the air and damage the compressor more or is it already too late if that is where the noise is from?

I live in PA and at times when I did come home from running the kids and stop my engine fans would still be running but I have not noticed this lately and we have had some hot days here lately. I don't know if they are working then or not.

I will try to check the mounting of the compressor.

Thanks again.

My daughter's 2003 just started doing the same thing. AC works fine - it just growls. Last night I was checking in my Bentley Repair Manual and found a VW Bulletin to Dealers on this - it says to tighten the mounting bolts and the mounting bracket. Apparently, the bolts and/or bracket working loose is a common problem. I haven't checked my daughter's bug yet.

Check the serpentine belt and see if its cracked alot, if so replace it.