When should third speed fan kick in - 95 GTI VR6?

Should the 3rd speed fan ever kick in when temp's pegged normal - outside temps in the low 100's with A/C running? Have an A/C problem that is a little odd. When first starting out in the morning the first speed fan kick in A/C running and temps in the low 80's - eventually 2nd speed will kick in intermit - compressor is quiet. Later in the afternoon - temps are in the

90's - mid to upper - compressor starts to make a groaning noise above 2000 rpms - 2nd speed fan always on. Occ. when revving high rpms - compressor may - like once a week kick off then kick back on. Temp gauge never goes above normal. If I put a hose to the condenser for a minute or two the compressor noise will goes away. By the way - inside vent temperatures are in the mid to upper 30's F after about 10 minutes of driving - sometimes less even with the compressor making noise.

I took it back last week to an A/C specialist and he said it was an electrical problem - saw the fans in the morning kicking on and off into

2nd - but I think its a pressure problem - overcharged VERY slightly - the "specialist" didn't say what the gauge reading were (if he even took them). On his advice replaced the Fan Control module - no change and ordered a thermal switch for the rad.

Any ideas on this one - compressor was replaced last year - as was dryer and expansion valve - don't want to trash a perfectly good compressor since it is cooling but the groaning noise is definately not normal especially since the noise will go away with water on the condenser.

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Very rare for 3rd to kick in unless the 1st & 2nd speeds don't work. 3rd is like a failsafe before meltdown of the engine or AC highside PSI goes way high. Normally the AC clutch should cycle on/off when vent temps are in the range of 40-44*

1- compressor noise could be caused by over charged w/freon 2- noraml due to high outside temps 3-radiator/condensor fins partly restricted air flow.

Can't remember but freon charge should be 1.65 or 2.4lbs of freon. Should be a tag under the hood.

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Woodchuck

Thanks, will first throughly clean the radiator/condenser and then replace the thermal switch - then take it to the A/C guy to get a reading when the temps and car are hot. Really traced the Bentley electrical and can't see anything that would be at fault except for the thermal switch at the radiator - when jumped it does go through all three speeds. The thing that points to an overcharge is the compressor will cut out under high revs (verrrrry rare) and then will reengage after about 30 seconds and continue. The other thing is when a stream of water is run over the condenser the noise will go away (contracting gas). Has to be the pressure in the system as I'm getting really great cooling so no blocked expansion or dryer problems.

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S Timinski

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