As to the "push fan to start", most often bad run cap.

Compressor doing the hum-click means either bad run cap, or
bad compresssor. Of course, the cap is cheaper and easier.
It can also be bad power feed, corrosion on a terminal.
Power off, and clean the various connections that feed 220
VAC to the compressor.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Tom Gardner" w@w wrote in message
...
I was able to get a cylinder of R-22 and the right manifold
and hoses
and finally it was good enough weather to check out the
system. Not
good! First, the fan on the condenser wouldn't start on
it's own but
a little push with a screwdriver got it spinning. The
bearings seem
OK so I suspect the capacitor. Next, the compressor won't
start, it
just hums for a while then goes quiet then repeats. Hmmmm.
The
static pressure on the refrigerant is 110 psi on both sides
at 70
degrees F ambient.

So, I assume the worst on this 15 yo Trane and it won't be
worth
fixing. At this point I call in a professional, a nephew of
a friend
on mine and see what he thinks. I'm a heat baby and like
the house at
67 and my bedroom at 60 or less...I have a modified window
unit for
that. The house is all-electric and very well insulated, my
largest
electric bills are $200/mo for everything so I don't expect
to see
huge savings with a new heat pump.