Sure. A/C compressors can and do fail in about 2 seconds. Happens all the time.

I recently re-vived the A/C system in a W210 that had been out of operation for a few years. The system worked fine for 3 days and then the A/C compressor locked up and it didn't work to well at all.

Many of the W210 and pretty much all of the W202 series of cars are getting to the age where A/C compressors are nearing the end of their expected lifecycle. Not saying thats the case with yours but if the A/C compressor is turning and the system has a reasonable charge of R134 it should develop pressure. If it doesn't its almost certainly a compressor problem.

The aux fan issues is kind of a separate thing, as I recall when I was using a W202 as a daily driver the temp crept up a bit in stop-and-go-traffic. The aux fans are triggered by A/C condenser pressures and they should be on if the car is stationary and the external temp is above the mid-70's. You can force the aux fans on via the Star diagnostic tools but I don't think thats your problem, you first need to see if the compressor is functioning and what kind of pressures it is developing.

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