Acadia AC Compressor Failure, Warning Signs and Costs

Recently experienced similar auto AC repair issues with a 2013 GMC Terrain. The cooling system symptoms matched exactly, complete failure to engage and warning lights on dash. Initial diagnosis revealed the AC unit issues were more complex than just a failed compressor. The control module was sending incorrect signals, preventing the compressor from engaging. After proper diagnostic testing, it turned out the AC control unit itself was defective, not the compressor. The repair required replacing the electronic control module and recharging the auto refrigerant system. This was a significant repair job since accessing the control unit meant partially dismantling the dashboard assembly. The air conditioning repair took about 5 hours of labor. Would strongly recommend getting a proper diagnostic scan before assuming its just the compressor. The control module failure is a known issue in some GM models from this era. While its a serious repair, replacing just the control unit is considerably less expensive than unnecessarily replacing a working compressor. Make sure the shop does a full system pressure test and electronic diagnosis before starting any repairs. A qualified shop should be able to show you the actual diagnostic data proving which component has failed.

Had the same issue with my 2015 Acadia and faced similar car air conditioning problems. The cooling system died completely and I got those warning lights too. Mine turned out to be a refrigerant leak causing the compressor to shut off as a safety measure. The fix included a system pressure test, finding the leak, replacing a faulty line, and recharging the vehicle HVAC system. Did you end up getting it fixed? Would be really helpful to know the final cost and if you had any other issues pop up since the repair. This seems to be a somewhat common AC unit issue with these models.

After getting the full diagnosis at the shop, the automotive cooling issue was definitely the AC control unit, not a refrigerant leak or compressor failure. The repair cost came to 980 Euro, which included replacing the defective control module, labor for dashboard disassembly, and a complete system recharge. The air conditioning repair was completed about 3 months ago and the cooling system has worked flawlessly since then. The AC compressor engages properly now and maintains consistent cooling performance. No warning lights or error codes have returned. The technician did a thorough pressure test of the entire system to rule out any refrigerant leaks before proceeding with the control unit replacement. While the initial symptoms can be similar, a proper diagnostic scan was key to identifying the real problem and avoiding unnecessary parts replacement. The repair cost was worth it considering the alternative of replacing the entire compressor assembly. The cooling performance is actually better now than it was before the system failed.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Finally took my Acadia to the shop last week after getting tired of driving without AC. After a complete system diagnostic, they found both a failed control module and a small refrigerant leak near the evaporator. The auto AC repair ended up costing 1450 Euro total, this covered replacing the control unit, fixing the leak, and doing a full refrigerant recharge. The cooling system works perfectly now. The shop showed me the diagnostic results and explained everything clearly, which made me feel confident about the repair. The AC compressor kicks in right away now and the air is ice cold. Been driving for about a week with no warning lights or issues. Definitely worth getting the proper diagnosis instead of just assuming and replacing parts. While the bill was higher than expected, at least everything was fixed right the first time.