Well on aircon the input from the condenser sensor ( cold part ) sets the on - off times, if the condenser is getting too cold and liable to freeze up it cuts out the signal to the clutch solenoid and disconnects drive to compressor ( the scroll type honda compressor is simpler and more robust than the piston ones with variable stroke, but honda one has a fixed output volume depending on speed it is rotating so if system getting too cold the drive has to be disconnected - the piston type variable stroke ones can just alter the stroke to reduce output and the drive stays connected to compressor all the time ). The noise of the fans is a good indication as the fans under the bonnet go on and off with the compressor clutch... I assume MK3 aircon same as MK2.
Many japanese cars use scroll type compressors, more reliable, quieter and efficient compared with piston compressors. Also small cars as Fiat 500, Panda and Citroen C1 use scroll type compressor, since they are cheaper.
Medium size eurpoean cars instead use variable stroke piston compressors, since they are more confortable: ok, they are a little bit noisier, but the power drag is constant so in low gears the car won't modify the gas response. Yes, you feel the difference between aircon ON or OFF, but in ON the gas response is moreorless always the same. My Jazz in 1-2-3° gear is instead much more slower at low revs with the compressor in ON, and I clearly feel when the clutch engages and disengages, especially in up and downhill; this is a little annoying, because in some seconds you have full torque avaiable, in some other seconds you have some torque less because the compressor has been engaged.
This effect is emphasized in small engines and manual gearbox (i.e the 1.3 6m Jazz), while CVT gearbox the effect is much filtered. Since japanese cars are very often sold with CVT in their major markets, we can understand why they use a scroll compressor, and why Renault and VW use variable stroke compressors in their Clio and Polos.
