My Kenmore ColdSpot side-by-side is not producing cold air. It was built in October 2003. This refrigerator does not get much activity. It is a second refrigerator, sits in a clean, cool location and isn't opened more than two or three times per week.

The lights are on and the fans are running (fan in freezer and compressor fan). The compressor is not running - no clicking, no humming. I have had the refrigerator unplugged for two days and no water in or under the refrigerator.

I have checked the thermostat and it seems okay. The coils are clean. I removed the relay (brown and white plastic box) that plugs (three-pin connection) directly into the compressor. The capacitor (black plastic box with two blades) plugs into the relay. The relay is rattling inside and some pot metal debris came out.

It is obvious that the relay is bad. But, is it the primary failure, or is it bad because of a problem with the compressor (compressor failure, overheating, etc.)?

How can I test the capacitor? How can I test the compressor (jumper for testing)? I would like to make sure the compressor works. I am trying to avoid replacing component parts, only to find out the compressor is bad.

Please let me know the capacitor and compressor tests to determine the root cause of the lack of cooling.

Thank you.