This is a second refrigerator that I don't use every day. About 3 weeks ago, I opened the refrigerator and the inside was warm. It's about 11.5 years old so I thought it was the compressor. I manipulated the temperature controls, choosing a colder setting, and the compressor seemingly kicked on and cool air started pumping into the unit. I checked it daily for about 1.5 weeks and it was working just fine. I checked it again about a week ago and it was warm again. This time I adjusted the temp controls for a warmer setting and the compressor kicked on again. It's stopped a couple of times since then, and I can always restart it. I noticed today when I jarred the refrigerator it started as well.

For clarification, when the fridge stops working as I've described, both the refrigerator and freezer sections are warm. When I manipulate the temp controls to get it working again, both sections get cold and work (i.e. items in the freezer will freeze again).

I assume there is some sort of regulator thermostat that could be defective and am wondering if it is something I can order and install myself. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

When I find the refrigerator in the state where the inside is warm, it is completely silent. Meaning there are no fans running and nothing else running/moving that I can hear. The light comes on though.

As I stated earlier, I did kind of bump it (accidentally) the last time I found it in this state and that seemed to also kick the fan and compressor back on.

For what it is worth, when I read your question just now, I decided to go open the freezer door to see what I heard. I first noticed some of the frozen liquid items were starting to melt and the fan kicked on as soon as I opened the door. So I may have just caught it in the early stages of not cooling. It could be coincidence that the fan came on when I opened it, or because I opened the freezer door or because the refrigerator did move when I opened the door.

Although I am 95% sure the freezer has been silent (i.e. no fan) every single time when I've opened the freezer door when I find the refrigerator in the warm state. I am 100% sure that was the case the first time I found it in this state. Nothing kicked on until I manipulated the temperature controls.

Is this helpful at all?

I've reviewed the diagram, but it is difficult to gauge the complexity of replacing this part. Can you rate the complexity? I am moderately comfortable taking devices apart. So you can factor that into your rating.