2009 Aveo 5 A/C not cooling.

[MichiganMadMan]

So...the compressor is kaput. Installed the new expansion valve, pulled the system down with a vacuum pump and re-filled to a more normal level but the performance is as before.

Looks like I'm swapping out the compressor this weekend....

Thanks for the input and references.

[MichiganMadMan]

So update on this:
I replaced the compressor and found out some fun stuff. Normally you have a filter/dryer in the system that needs to be replaced when you install a new compressor. On a 2008 and older, this is a soda-bottle sized component on the driver side of the condenser. HOWEVER on a 2009, this is thoughtfully integrated into the condenser itself. This meant I had to either use the old crummy one, or replace the entire condenser with a new one.
Since I don't want to do this job again, I decided to replace the condenser also. Off to the auto parts store (again).

I fired it back up and started charging the A/C system. It was then I realized that the compressor was engaged but the cooling fan wasn't on. I shut off the A/C and started digging around. The ECM controls which fan speed is selected, so I pulled the low speed fan relay under the hood and checked the wires. There was 12 volts across the control circuit and the fan would turn on when I bridged the switched side of the relay. This meant that the low speed fan relay was kaput.

My guess was that this failure was the first thing that went wrong. The cooling fan must come on with the A/C to keep the condenser cool, but that wasn't happening with the relay being busted. This means that the A/C temperature was off the charts on the high end and cooked the compressor.

I was lucky in that my local O'Reilly auto parts was able to match me up with a relay that worked. I'm back on the road with ice cold A/C.

What a job though!