Yep they sure are, Because the A/C places won't sell to you. See if the Capacitor is swollen, that is usually a tell tale sign it's gone bad.

If not the capacitor, did you check the contactor? Both the capacitor and contactor could cause that and cheap fixes.

yes, the start capacitor on the outside unit, has it swelled up? what you describe sound like the capacitor has gone bad

I replaced the contactor cause it was def. junk. I'll try the start capacitor and cross my fingers.

I am 90% sure that's your problem. Easy , cheap fix.

Some contactors have a small cover you can take off that has a push button you can press to see if your fan and compressor work. See if you have this covers, kill power, remove cover reset breaker and push on switch with a screwdriver or something.

I can remember having trouble with only one unit.
Fire ants t t n the wires and shorted the electrical box.

Change the contact her before you call anybody.

A/C part houses sell capacitors in D/FW area. Place like Locke. Now they will not sell a unit or Freon without an account.

capactitor, change it

Buddy came over and checked the microfarad on the start capacitor and it checks out fine. We turn on the main power switch and the compressor hums for maybe a second or two and then it trips the overload and nothing happens. He said he could hard-start the unit but that's just a temporary fix and that it'll end up going out again.

dang it, i didn't see your last post hotrod, i had my fingers crossed hoping it was just the cap

I'd still give the capacitor a shot. Also check continuity between the leads on the compressor and the shell of the compressor. If there is continuity then your compressor is bad. If your buddy has a meter that measures uF then he should be able to do it.