Air Conditioning Problem

I had my GTI in for service a few months ago and asked them to check out the AC--the two side vents don't seem to be putting out enough air. I think they blew me off (pardon the pun) because they said the AC was "up to specs". I live in AZ and the heat is on--there is a problem with the air and I'm going to make another visit to VW service but want to be fore-armed so that they don't give me the runaround again. I've noticed something that I think is part of the problem. When you have the AC, set to outside air and press the button to change to recirculate inside air, I used to hear a vent or something close (a very distinctive sound) and the air flow would increase. Well, this doesn't happen anymore--there's no vent closing sound and the AC operates the same on either setting. I also noticed every once in awhile, the AC would cut out (very quickly, just a hesitation then it would run). Of course, this never could be demonstrated for the dealer--which makes me seem more uncredible. Any advice would be apprecaited.

Sorry - I have a 2001 Golf, GTI (V6 5-speed)

welp...my mk3 doesnt make any suction noise, but I do know what youre talking about with the increased flow. Sounds like a vacuum problem in behind the dash or in the engine bay...
Have you been messin' around in the engine bay recently? If so you could have disconnected one of the lines that runs from the motor to the pump, or one of the lines that runs from the pump to the vents...
You could also have blown a fuse thus rendering the button useless...whip out yer manual and check to see which fuse it is...then check to see if its busted...
look for vacuum pump and recirc button...
a Bently Manual always helps!