A/C Clutch not disengaging

[cherliebravo]

New 2005 B5.5 Passat owner here - please move if this is posted in the wrong spot. I've got a kinda odd problem with my a/c - it works 100% of the time, as in, the compressor runs all the time. Air blow cold, system pressurizes, whole nine yards. VCDS says the a/c switch works (I see 0.0 and 16.0 with the switch on/off). The trouble is the clutch is (somewhat) engaged 100% of the time independent of the switch being on or off. I've never noticed any clicking after turning on or off the a/c. The odd thing is this: I can reach up in there and turn the clutch by hand with the engine off as if everything's working. The clutch does seem to have a little bit of resistance to turning (i.e. it doesn't feel like it spins completely freely) but it does turn easily. Has anyone had this issue before? Is it fixable via some sort of cleaner/lubrication, or do I need to replace the clutch? Thanks!

 

[P2B]

Does the compressor still spin if you disconnect the clutch coil? That should tell you if the issue is mechanical or electrical.

 

[cherliebravo]

Sorry for the late reply - my life has been a little more exciting than usual this past week. Turns out it is electrical! I unplugged, and, sure enough, no spinning on the clutch with the engine running. Sorry for not trying that before hopping on here, I jumped to assuming it was mechanical. Thanks!

 

[oilhammer]

My guess would be the clutch "redardation relay" is stuck on, but I've never known one to fail like that.