What Is the Difference Between a Regular AC Compressor & an OEM Compressor?

The difference between a regular compressor and an OEM compressor lies in the manufacturer of the part. A "regular" compressor could be made by any manufacturer while an OEM compressor (or any other part) is made by the same company that made the original one.

OEM Compressors

The denomination OEM before a replacement auto part stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This means that the part was made by the same manufacturer as the one that supplied the original part. This is not usually the car company, but the supplier the car company used when manufacturing the car.

AC Compressors

As air conditioning systems are similar in many different cars, it is not usually necessary to get a replacement that is exactly the same as the original. It is, however, very important to make sure that the the part is suitable for the air conditioning system before purchasing it.

Advantages and Disadvantages of OEM Parts

Purchasing an OEM part gives you a guarantee that the part is suitable for the car in question and that it will function exactly as the original did. The part may, however, be more expensive, take longer to order or even in some cases be impossible to find (for example, if the original manufacturer has gone out of business).