5KTQ's have a switch on the tranny that disengages the compressor whenever first gear is selected. Colin Hames '86 5TQW '98 Passat 1.8t Orin Eman wrote: > I don't know if the non-Ts do it, I'd have to check the wiring > diagrams. > > Orin. > > > Aha....so it's tranny related! > > > Audrey is a 5k nonT auto. > > > >The 5kT automatics do it. The 5kT manuals do not. > > >