I am your normal, everyday homeowner. The Mrs and I have a small (1800 sq ft) 2-story home that was built in 2005. The compressor on original 2-ton Ruud upstairs unit has cr*pped out. I've been told that the compressor is not replaceable and that I need a new outside unit and air handler (attic). I don't have a particular problem with going that route. But I could really use some advice, please. I am in a complete quandary regarding what to do. I've gotten estimates from four different contractors, all reputable. I was all set to go with a 15 SEER Trane unit for about $4200 installed. Compared to the other estimates, this seemed like a good price. The other estimates ranged from $4500 for a similar Trane unit to $5600 for a 16 SEER Carrier. The problem I'm running into is determining exactly what manufacturers are good and which are not. Consumer Reports gives Goodman terrible ratings. But some other sites rate them very highly. American Standard and Lennox get the highest ratings from Consumer Reports with Trane, Carrier, and Bryant close behind. Then there's Trane. Three of the four contractors that I've gotten quotes from quoted Trane which I always thought was good. But now I'm reading less than flattering things about Trane. I've been on so many sites, I have no idea who makes good equipment and who doesn't. To complicate things: My wife's brother-in-law is more handy mechanically than I am. He was in a similar situation and needed to replace the heat pump in his home. He found a good deal on a Goodman (4 ton, I believe). He set and wired the outdoor unit and the AHU and he hired an HVAC guy who works for a contracotr to finish the installation for him on the side. He has suggested that I do the same. This makes me REALLY nervous. Even for $1000 less, I am afraid of having someone other than an approved contractor do the installation. So...do I go cheap and buy a Goodman on eBay, have it shipped to my home, and have the guy do the installation on the side? Or should I stick with a factory-approved contractor? If I opt for the latter, what brand do I go with?

The circuits look fine the capacitors we talking are brand new shows power I think the wiring is wrong it's an old system with a lot of jumpped wires everything runs fine but the compressors won't power on