Thanks for all your help.
I replaced the freezer cold control and it appears to be working.
It ended up being slightly harder than it could have been, because the ground connection was in a slightly different place and it interfered with sliding the cold control into place.

Now, I just have to go through the freezer and sort out what was damaged by the multiple thawings.

How far should I turn the defrost timer? Clockwise or counter?

So far, after tapping on the freezer cold control knob, everything is working perfectly. I still haven't turned the defrost timer shaft.

I've exposed the defrost timer and am ready to try that option when the refer stops cycling.

When I got home this afternoon the frig was not operating until I opened the freezer door......it has continued running since then. While it was still running I did try tapping the temp control knob in the freezer and the compressor seemed to stutter.......this makes me think it is probably the temperature control assembly that is malfunctioning.

I'll still try the defrost timer when it stops working next time.....or maybe I should just order the freezer cold control. Looks easy enough to replace.

Thanks,
Michael

Refrigerator/Freezer is failing to cool on occasion. The jolt from opening and closing the door appears to start it up and it will operate OK for several hours.....until it doesn't.

I figure if a jolt starts the compressor....it must be some sort of relay or switch that is causing the problem.

Overload Relay?

Thermostat?

Thanks for the help.