Well - first I thought the problem was the capacitor, as that will cause hard starts, especially on an air conditioner (I am no HVAC man, but researched this to find out). Pulled the capcitor (BE CAREFUL - discharge first - It CAN kill you if you don't!). Tested it and found it fine (again - to test - research on the net - VERY easy w/ a standard Ohm meter).
So - after investigating a few other possibilities, I sat and listened to the thing run and realized it was cycling too fast (trying to kick the compressor on too close to shutting it off, hence the built up pressure was still too high to kick the compressor on easily. Figured maybe the thermostat was causing this (kicking the compressor on before it was "rested").
I was correct. It solved the problem.
To change the thermostat took like 5 minutes.
BTW - CLEAN YOUR COILS - I'M SURPRISED MY WAS EVEN RUNNING! THE COILS WERE FULL OF JUNK. If your coils are dirty the thing is will not run well and will cost you a lot of money to make your room / house cool!
