Air Conditioning - Outside Unit Short Cycling

I've been noticing that it seems the AC (inside) runs more than it should have to in order to get the inside temp down.

This morning while I was outside I noticed the outside unit was short-cyling (on for a few seconds, then off, on for a few seconds, then off). While this was going on outside, the inside AC was running non-stop.

Any idea what is going on here????

PS - it is an old unit.

It's a possibility that your unit is equipted with a low pressure switch and is cycling on it due to low refrigerent or other.

Was the outside fan being interupted or was it the compressor, or both?

The fact the inside fan kept running is normal because your set temp was never being met and was still "calling for a/c" at the stat, causing the inside fan to keep running. And actually the outside unit wants to and should be going as well, but.....

Compressor thermal protector may be tripping on and off as a possibility in relation to refrigerant/pressure maybe.