This is puzzling me big time. With the common wire and the Y wire removed from the contactor I read 24 volts. When I put across the coil of the contactor I get nothing(does not pull in) How can I be reading 24 volts, but loose it when connected to a load.

I can jump 24 volts from my red wire to the contactor(which has 24 volts, and contactor pulls in... what am I missing here??

How many control wires are at the contactor?

I only have a common and the y (cooling)

See if you have 24 volts at Air Handler, before it goes to Compressor, If you have 24 volts there and not at contactor, a connection is opening under load.
Does thermostat wiring go fro thermostat to air handler, and a pair from Air handler to Compressor?
Is this a new install, or troubleshooting an existing system?

I have 24v at the air handler at blue common and y, The funny part is if I remove the y wire from the contactor, I have 24 volts on the y, but when I put it on the contactor I loose it. This is an existing un it about two years old

2... I have 24v at the air handler at blue common and y, The funny part is if I remove the y wire from the contactor, I have 24 volts on the y, but when I put it on the contactor I loose it. This is an existing un it about two years old

Blue and/or yellow is sometimes used for compressor. You may need to see which one to use.
Did you do any thermostat wiring?
If thermostat is suspect, then sometime I connect the red wire at the thermostat to the Green for the Air Handler Blower fan, and also to the Blue or yellow to see if the compressor kicks in.
Colors may be different.
Can you answer the questions on yesterdays post? Thanks.