Keven
has been following this, but really, there's not much productive I could add which hasn't been mentioned already.
Personally, I always either tape connectors or heat-shrink them or replace them with insulated ones when working anywhere near metal and fibreglass/rock-wool. Dratted stuff absorbs moisture and things can happen.
The tip about just shorting the cold control made sense.
Whenever something like this happens to me (all to frequently), I look for the mistakes I made doing the initial repair. Something happened, or - the refrigerant level/compressor weakness had just reached the point where this was the last straw.
Both 'worst case' scenarios can be handled, though and it's just a matter of looking for people with the skills, tools and desire to help.
As for John and Paul - well, their knowledge exceeds mine by leaps and bounds.
[this post was last edited: 7/19/2017-08:21]