Our LG fridge (LFC25770ST/02) has trouble re-starting the compressor after a normal cycle off period. I hear it click on, 15 seconds of faint humming, then it clicks off. In other words, the compressor is not starting and the thermal cutout is turning it off after 15 seconds of stalled rotor. After a couple of minutes of cooldown, this sequence repeats, numerous times, until finally the compressor starts normally. I can think of several possible causes for this problem and would like to hear the expert's vote on the most likely:

1. the start relay is getting bad and sometimes/often doesn't energize the start winding.

2. The compressor is getting bad, although when it does start it sounds fine....very quiet.

3. The control is trying to restart the compressor too soon after the cycle off, although that seems unlikely as the off period is usually ~10 minutes or more.

As luck would have it, this fridge uses a start relay (aka overload, aka thermistor assembly) that has been discontinued (EBG44308701) and the replacement (CLS30820101) seems to be gold-plated, costing ~$100.....! So I'm hoping for some sage advice before taking the plunge.

Thanks very much in advance!