And a lot has happened with AC units in the last 10 years, your unit
could have been 10 years old already when it crapped out.
If it were me, I'd consider Mark's suggestion.
Probably after giving a hard start kit a try, though.
Here's another source, even less cost.
http://www.azpartsmaster.com/shopazp...d%20Start.html

No warranties, expressed or implied

Mark wrote:

compressor is trying to start but is stuck so it is not starting and is
cutting out on the thermal cutoff..., like a motor with a locked
rotor...thats the buzz you hear...a hard start kit may work for a while
but if the bearings in the compressor or whatever are just getting
worse, then even the hard start kit will eventiually not start it, a
hard start kit is just a bigger start capacitor and sometimes works for
a while sometimes not.... I would get the compressor replaced or just
get a new unit.

Low freon will not cause this problem in a home unit like it does in a
car...

Mark