2001 Tahoe AC Failure

3rd cooling season. Had the AC serviced after both of the first two. Compressor failure 4 days ago. Repair shop tells me there are 14 on backorder!! Hmmm, sounds like a manufacuring defect...

Anyone out there with a similar failure??

you need to use your A/C year round, just the same as you shouldnt go all summer without engaging 4WD. in fact in the winter, i dont use my heater at all. i run the A/C and just turn the temp dial from cool to hot. ive done this on my 95 S-10 since new, it now has 175,400 miles on it. A/C still works great.

3rd cooling season. Had the AC serviced after both of the first two. Compressor failure 4 days ago. Repair shop tells me there are 14 on backorder!! Hmmm, sounds like a manufacuring defect...

How did your compressor fail? What were the symptoms?

My 2001 Tahoe suddenly stopped blowing cold air this weekend. Blows fine, but it's not cold. I suspect it may be a compressor clutch problem, but I'm not sure. What was your repair bill, and what was the root cause of the problem?

No previous symptons - hot afternoon, just leaving the airport. I turned on the a/c once I reached the highway. The whole truck lurched a tad -I presume from the clutch freezing - and I received only hot air. Shutoff the a/c. Blower was fine. When I tried the a/c again, nothing but an almost grinding sound. Took it to the shop (locally run, real honest guy) and he had that 'this is going to cost you' half grin on his face. He had done some research and found out there was a defect in the a/c system design for the early 2001s which eventually led to trapped oil and compressor failure. Of course, you get the standard canned response from GM- isolated case my backside. I have rear a/c on mine and the entire system piping, compressor & condenser had to be replaced. $2700 and about $1800 of it was parts! I swear those refrigerant lines are copper but they're priced like platinum. I think I can buy new a/c for my house with less money. At last check, the new system is working fine...