Is it just Trane?

[Methuselah]

Packet unit is only about 3 years old. It quit Friday.

Old (er) unit had several repairs, mostly by me, including blower motor. I think I bought the replacement on Amazon for under $200.

This unit's under extended warranty coverage. Tech said blower motor is bad, can't get another until Monday.

Motors don't go bad in 3 years. Really. If you don't believe me just ask me. 

It's the run cap, surely, has to be. $9 part they charge $18 for, yes? Well, no. See, there are no start caps and no run caps.

It's got an electronic module INSIDE the motor. Has to be programmed by the supplier for your unit. Condenser fan motor too. Price? $1200 to $1400. No, you can't buy the module.

I'm beginning to think I should not have replaced the old unit. It still worked.

Nuts!

Just nuts.

Is this just Trane?

If I survive this 3 month long sinus infection, I need to move someplace cheaper. Like maybe Mars.

OK, rant done, wore myself out, crawling back under my rock.

[farrlarr]

You have hit the nail of our disposable society directly on it head!  Of, course, the whole thing has been exacerbated by the intrusion of programmable electronics into every possible application so nothing can be repaired except by the guy with the programming code/know how.  And since that guy can't get the part or get around to the programming in a reasonable period of time, it just makes more sense (?) to throw out the whole complex that includes that programmable module and replace it with a new complex that can be just plugged into the socket.  Either that or throw out the entire thing and buy a new one which may or may not be repairable.  Yes, there are upsides to the "electronic age" but downsides like this more than make up for them.