Sad reality. Advanced electronic technology is a two headed monster.
For all the safety, features, efficiency & convenience we get, it also allows proprietary parts, planned obsolescence & takes away the ability to repair without replacing a part. No more "MacGyver" repairs in a pinch. I see it in the HVAC trade as well. My cost on a blower motor for a basic air handler - $100.00 +/-. My cost on an ECM variable speed motor (with a circuit control board in the bell housing) - $800.00 +/- (and it has to be the OEM motor that will communicate with the rest of the system). It is more efficient, makes less noise & varies its speed based on demand, so it's worth it, right?
We used to be able to replace relays, contactors, capacitors, etc. with aftermarket parts - now we replace the control board that has all the parts in one. It's all about keeping the $ at the manufacture.
Rant over... Guess it's not much of a rant, I just run into this a lot & have this conversation often.
