Move your Whirlpool refrigerator away from the wall, then unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
Remove the screws from the bottom panel on the back of the refrigerator using a Phillips screwdriver.
Lift up and remove the bottom panel. Locate the start relay on the bottom left side of the inside of the rear of the refrigerator.
Disconnect the wires from the start relay, and pull the relay off of the compressor.
Connect a multitester tool to the start relay, and check the reading on the multitester. If the reading displays anything other than zero ohms then you should replace the part.
Place the bottom panel back on, and reinsert the screws into the back panel. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.