My 1998 jetta is having ac issues. The ac light only turns on at level 1 fan - numbers 2,3,4 don't blow ac, the ac light shuts off and it resorts to fan only mode? I'm a girl, kinda handy if you could dumb it down for me I'd appreciate it :) I know how to recharge my ac (but seems freon is fine) thanks!

You may have run of refrigerant gas. Kindly check that

look at the blower motor resistor 1 and two are resistored and 3 and four are not its probaly burnt

How old is your battery and if it's over 2 yrs old get a new one also when u get out of the car make sure u turn the fan all the way off then it won't try to turn on

Sounds like 2 different problems here. The ac gets warm when standing idle, is most likely the under hood fan not kicking on when ac is on. This may be a fuse issue or a relay. When ac is on, the fan should be on all the time. Relay maybe in an electrical box under the hood. Unplug the fan and test for power with a test light to see if the fan has power when ac is "on".

The inside fan not working on levels 1& 2 is likely the voltage ballast issue. this is an electrical block which controls voltage to change fan speeds. Usually found under the passenger side dash, right in the air flow comming from the fan and inside the air flow housing. Usually held in by 2 or 3 screws with a connector and 3-4 wires sticking out. this should be under $20 to buy and quite easy to change, if you can find it. Try behind glove box etc. Do not test the new one without it being in place, as it may burn out very quickly without the air flow to cool it.
Good luck

check the switch,s at the back of the ac control in the dash, if you ac has an automatic temp gauge that also my be the problem.

heres a diagram of the fuse box and i listed the fuses numbered 1-22,hope this helps.
1)low beam light left
2)low beam right
3)park lights.
4)reawiper/washer
5)front wiper
6)blower motor/ac
7)tail light right
8)tail light left
9)rear defogger
10)fog lights
11)high beam Left
12)highbeam rt
13)horn
14)backup lights
15engine electronics
16)sunroof/frt map/reading light
17)hazard lights
18)fuelpump /o2 sensors /control module
19)cooling fan, ac relay
20)brake lights
21)inside lights,clock,luggage light
22)lighter,radio, trunk release

get a new coolant temperature sensor.

the orginal black ones are faulty.

make sure it is the green topped one.

also do a normal tune up with spark plugs, clean the maf, maybe replace coils packs.

you need to have it diagnosed by a professional. These are complicated systems even to a trained tech. You may be over or under charged, have a clogged expansion valve, have a leak or many other issues. This model has a rcv refrigerant control valve inside the compressor which regulates the pressure of the compressor. If you notice the compressor never shuts off like conventional auto a/c's do the only time the clutch works is when you turn it on or off. Can be complicated.

blower motor or resistor or the blower motor control switch.

check head lights and tail lights relay.replace fan relay.check ac compressor make sure its getting power. if all good have ac check to make sure it have the right amount refrigerate in system.