our very old frig started to make a series of noises every few minutes.
starts with an electrical click. then a hum, then another click.
it even dims the interior lites with the first click.
looking on the back panel. the noise is coming from a little box with
wires leading to a bigger metal cylinder shaped piece. the schematics says the little noisy box is the overload compressor thermo start.
which part do you think is going bad. the overload start or the actual compressor. i described to my son as sounding like a thermostat is clicking on, then the compressor is trying to start..thus the hum, then another click that makes me think it is shutting itself down. he agreed
that it sounds like the compressor is binding but still working enough to keep things cold.
worried it is a fire hazzard..or a new compressor means just getting a new frig we cant really afford...or hopefully, a minor overload part we can have replaced and continue another year or so with the old frig...almost 30 years old....thanks for your help. i am worried i should unplug it now
and try to save the food somehow. so we dont burn our house down.

thank you. it has been doing this for about 3-5 days now. and where do we find a relay part?

thank you so much for your comments.
i checked freezer after your 1st post and foods are already starting to melt. so it must have ruined the compresser like you said. it is now unplugged, and i will tell husband about that part number...but it sounds hopeless. so prolly time to buy a new one...ouch...have no idea what brand is good. thanks again. mb