Over past days I noticed that this unit has developed short run time with ON time of about 1 minute with ON/OFF cycling of about every 3-4 minutes.. The unit does cool, but it does not get as cold as it should be. I cleaned the coils and replaced the compressor relay and overload protector, but this did not improve the performance. Compressor seems to get only barely warn to the touch. Where should I focus next? (thermostat?, defrost timer? low refrigerent?) Thanks for your replies.

Thankyou, for your reply,

So I short-circuit jumpered the thermostat, and I now get continual operation. The thermal exchange coils are heating up. Now its time to order a new thermostat. I notice the pictorial of the thermostat in the on-line catalog that integral to this part is a lengthy capilliary tube. What procedures are involved with the replacement of the thermostat? Will this be a chore?

Your right. After studying the route of the thermostat tube, replacing the thermostat is straightforward. Since the replacement, the refrigerator seems to be working well. So in restrospect, I replaced compressor relay, overload protector, and thermostat which is about $70 altogether in parts cost, compared to about $1500 - $2000 for a new refrigerator. I don't understand how the latest new refrigerators have escalated so much in retail price. In these days we all are becoming more skeptic in why the cost of goods go up. I doubt that real quality and reliability have improved. I wish someone could explain and justify it for these refrigerators.