Refrigerator not cooling?

This refrigerator suddenly stopped cooling.When switched off and then back on the compressor would kick for some seconds and stop.i replaced both the thermostat and the relay and the unit came back to life,But after about two weeks the same problem surfaced again and when the compressor is touched it would be very hot.When allowed to cool and then restarted,it would work for some minutes and then stop.Could it be that the compressor is beginning to have fault?

kindly assist.

Miskila
July 2010