Outside unit runs for about 5 seconds then shuts off for a few seconds. It repeats this cycle.

SOURCE: Amana 1 ton Residential AC / Outside unit comes on for a sec

open the service panel to check for control voltage of 24volts when tstat calling, The contactor should be pulled in, if contactor is down,and contacts appear to be clean, and the unit is still not running, it is a bad compressor. to test this unplug the black wire from the compressoror at contactor,w/ power off! Turn on power if fan works normally it's a bad compressor. However if you see a swollen split cap(5 wires to a soup can looking w/ the terminal C,F,and Comp), switch it first and start at square one.
You also need to consider the high pressure switch if its cycling on off on off.

SOURCE: central air

may i asked what kind of thermostat you are using? is it a digital or a mechanical one.
it could be out of calibration..
try experimenting with it...
right now if your setting is 75 F and its cutting at 78F then try to lower the setting to 73 F and it might cut off at 75 F then you would know that you have a bad thermostat or a theremostat with a little bit off in calibration...

i hope i was able to solve ur problem

pls rate me...

tnx 4 using fixya..

drcool

SOURCE: air conditioner not geting cool

Hello, It sounds to me like your low on freon/refrigerant. You'll need to have someone test the pressures for you.

SOURCE: Heat Pump Cycles On and Off and Air Handler Noisy

I am pretty sure you have a low charge and the pressure switch is kicking it off. probably just a pound or two however the accumulater will sometimes hold more.

SOURCE: codencer on out side unit tries 2 run but kicks off every few sec

check you capicitor