AC Compressor Warning: Get Your Cool Back Fast

Had the exact same issue with my 2017 Chevy Cruze last summer. The AC compressor completely failed, triggering the warning light. Initially thought it was just low refrigerant, but the diagnostic revealed a seized compressor that was causing the entire auto cooling system to shut down. The repair wasn't just a simple recharge, the AC compressor needed full replacement along with the receiver/dryer since metal particles from the failed compressor had contaminated the car air conditioning system. The shop had to flush the entire system to prevent future issues. It's definitely a serious repair that requires proper diagnosis and specialized tools. Don't try quick fixes like just adding refrigerant, a failed compressor can damage other components if not addressed properly. The whole job took about 6-7 hours at the shop. If your symptoms match mine (no cooling, intermittent operation, warning lights), it's likely the compressor. Get it checked soon to avoid more extensive damage to the cooling system.

Wow, thanks for sharing that experience! I'm having the exact same AC unit issues with my 2020 Monza right now, no cooling and warning lights, just like you described. Really helpful to know about the potential compressor contamination risks. Would you mind sharing roughly what the total repair cost came out to? Also curious if you've had any other automotive cooling problems since getting it fixed? Want to make sure I budget properly and choose a shop that'll do the job right the first time. Just trying to avoid making the same rookie mistake of attempting a simple recharge when it clearly needs professional air conditioning repair work. Your insight on this is super valuable.

Just wanted to follow up, got the AC issue fixed last week and you were spot on about the refrigerant compressor failure! The mechanic confirmed it was exactly what we discussed. Total bill came to 980 € for the complete repair job, including fixing a defective air conditioning control unit they found during diagnosis. The cooling system's working perfectly now, nice cold air and no more warning lights. They did a full system flush like you mentioned to prevent any contamination issues. Smart call on warning about skipping the quick fixes, could've made things way worse. Haven't had a single vehicle HVAC problem since the repair. The shop did a thorough job checking for refrigerant leaks and testing everything before giving it back. Worth every penny to have it done right by professionals who knew what they were dealing with. The auto refrigerant system's running like new now, definitely feels good to have proper AC again after sweating it out for those few weeks!

Thanks everyone for the guidance! Just wanted to close this thread and share how it turned out. Took my Monza to a certified shop that specializes in car air conditioning repairs. They ran a full diagnostic and confirmed what we suspected, the AC compressor was completely shot. The repair took about 8 hours total. They replaced the compressor, flushed the cooling system, and installed a new receiver/dryer unit. Total cost was higher than expected at 1,250 but included a 2-year warranty on all the parts. Been driving for about a week now and the AC is blowing ice cold again. No more warning lights or error codes. The shop took time explaining everything they did and showed me the damaged parts. Much better experience than my last mechanic. Really glad I didn't try any quick fixes with the auto refrigerant. The tech mentioned seeing lots of damaged AC units from people attempting DIY repairs. Definitely worth paying for proper professional work when it comes to automotive cooling systems.