Climate control recirculation button
 

I have a random question that I have not yet been able to figure out (and can't find the answer through searching).

Is there an issue in our cars where the recirculation function (the part of the climate control system that recirculates air in the cabin instead of blowing outside air into the car) on our cars wouldn't stay on? When I depress the button the display lights up with the recirculation light but it won't stay on after I release the button. Basically the recirculation light is only on while the button is depressed and the climate control never actually turns it on. Anyone know what the issue could be?

It sounds more or less a faulty button on the A/C control head to me, a quick scan of the module with the vag com will verify if there is a fault or not. For instance if the ECON button stays lit all the time there is a fault. If no fault is present, you might have to take it apart and try to either have the panel behind the button fixed, or you have to pony up the dough for a new unit....not cheap.

It wont allow you to recirculate when it is cold out and you are heating your car. The reason being that recirculating your interior air will quickly cause fogging unless the air condition compressor is on.

That's because you have your window defroster button activated,it happends to me too,when i press the windshield defrost button and try to press the recirculation button,it won't stay on,it will simply turn off,once i take my finger off the button but once i turn off the windshield defroster button,then press the recirulation button,it stays activated.

Hm interesting, maybe for an 01, but on my 99 with the older head unit, I can have the air directed anywhere and it wont allow me to do it.