2017 Tahoe - AC went out, suggestions for what shop? (dealer or independent)

[TahoeFL2017]

AC gradually got warmer over a few weeks, now is toast.

I'm debating whether to go to my dealer or a local independent AC shop, there's a chain of Ice Cold AC shops in Tampa, who've been around for years.

Asking because the last AC service to my Toyota, was by a regular local mechanic, and they took the dash apart and it was never right afterwards.

Am I crazy for considering a local AC specialist shop? Seems safer than a general mechanic, but wondering if you would recommend the GM dealer, if our Tahoe AC is complex, etc.

Should I go straight to the dealer or consider the independent shop?

 

[Tahoe14]

It could be an AC condenser which there was a TSB and were repaired at no charge. I would check with the Dealer, they may at least pay for part of the repair.

 

[Miami-Dade]

I vote to go to a 5 Star Chevrolet-GMC or Cadillac dealership when it comes to A/C. Most [but not all] friends that go to independent or A/C [specialist] shop start having issues again with the a/c within a few months or less.

If you have the original Condenser that is probably your issue just as Tahoe14 said. I replaced mine at 80K miles. Surprised it lasted that long as most had it go out before that plus mine is constantly on as I just set and forget it.

But that is just me. To each their own.

 

[SpyShops212]

AC gradually got warmer over a few weeks, now is toast.

I'm debating whether to go to my dealer or a local independent AC shop, there's a chain of Ice Cold AC shops in Tampa, who've been around for years.

Asking because the last AC service to my Toyota, was by a regular local mechanic, and they took the dash apart and it was never right afterwards.

Am I crazy for considering a local AC specialist shop? Seems safer than a general mechanic, but wondering if you would recommend the GM dealer, if our Tahoe AC is complex, etc.

Should I go straight to the dealer or consider the independent shop?

If you live in southern Cali I have a guy who is experienced and inexpensive. I bought my 2008 Escalade to him. I thought I was going to have to buy a new compressor. I actually took $1000 with me. The mechanic hooked it up to a machine and I heard the machine make a popping sound every 15 minutes for about two hours. This was in the summer of 2021. The mechanic charged me $160 which I paid happily. To this day I have not had any issues. Also when I would cold start it after leaving my truck overnight, I would hear a humming sound for a few seconds. This also got fixed with my mechanic.

 

[Brewder]

I feel for you.. I just went through this... Get your wallet ready... $1200 to replace that condenser.

 

[Blackcar]

Here is TSB that was mentioned at beginning of tread.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10145171-9999.pdf

 

[Plimbob]

As everyone on this thread has stated, there is a high probability its the condenser. I have direct experience on my 2017, mine went out after 80k. Took it to our local dealer and they were willing to absorb the cost of the condenser but wanted to charge me for labor which was material. We went round and round about it and they wouldn't budge. However, I would surely give the dealer the first shot, your local dealer may be more flexible than ours.

I ended up buying the condenser and replacing it myself. Not the easiest task but if you're mechanical at all its not too bad. There are vids on youtube which explain the process very well.