Its very old(late forties my guess) but has been operating smoothly until the last week or so.
It will start only after I have unplugged it long enough for the unit to cool off. Even while hot I can here it trying to start but it won’t go.
Thanks for any feedback or help
Reider
A model number would be helpful.
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/modelnumber_locator.aspx
If the unit has a condenser/compressor fan it should be on whenever the compressor is on or trying to start.
First I would unplug the unit and check the compressor windings for continuity/resistance and to see if they are grounded.
Below is a link on how to do this.
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/refrigerator.php
Note that the compressor test can tell you if a compressor is bad, it does not tell you that the compressor is good as it may have other internal problems.
Check the compressor start relay.
Often this is hard to check so usually folks just replace it to see if it fixes the problem.
Same goes with a start/run capacitor if the unit uses one.