I did some research. Found a comment on this website... shake the ptc component it was ratteling... there's a ceramic disc inside the ptc. if broken, this could be the source for the ratteling sound. Sure enough that was happening... one new ptc later an all is good. Ran fridge for 3 days now... no issues
It was gamble, took it.. and came out ahead. The capicitor looked as if was OK... it was not buldging... no obvious burnt marks anywhere.
Tricky part was getting the 'bale' wire reattached in the correct place... I think I have it right now... needs to go back on so that the capacitor/ptc assembly is held in place.. don't want it to vibrate off of the three prong attachement to the side of the compressor.
I sent a lot of extra time with cleaning the drain pain, and I fashioned a replacement back cover for the fridge, out of some left over wire mesh, and used some of the silver tape that is usually used for AC duct... to block off the compressor side....taped front and back side of that portion of the back panel. The mesh side on the blower fan area - nice and secure with wire mesh, very breathable better than new. time from start of trouble shooting to running about 30-60 min (does not include the cleaning of the drain pain, or the re-fabrication of the cover. )