RichK wrote:
Hi All,

A bit tricky refrigerator problem. Unit is 12 years old Sears (made by GE)
top freezer. Symptoms are that it starts and cools for a while, but stops
and does not restart. Compressor quite hot - can hold finger on it for 4
sec. All fans are running. Coils clean.

Sounds like overload, but why is it overloading? How hot should the
compressor case get in normal operation? Could a bad run capacitor cause
that?

They often use a clever little start solenoid to get the compressor
motor running. There is a coil in series with the run winding. When
power is applied, the sudden inrush of current causes this coil to pull
a plunger up that switches the start winding into the circuit. Once the
motor gets going, the current drops, and so does the plunger due to
gravity. This removes the start winding from the circuit and the motor
runs normally. In your case the plunger could be stuck in the up
position which would keep the start winding energized and the motor
would overload. In this old Whirlpool I have here, you can easily hear
the solenoid click and then drop out. Good luck!