If the heating element gets hot but the unit does not cool it either has a blockage or the ammonia charge has leaked out. Usually when it leaks there is a yellow powdery residue in the back of it around the coils, given the fact it sat so long the dust could have covered over the yellow residue and you have a leak and cannot see it. The tapping the coils will help if it is a blockage but if it has had the ammonia leak nothing will work short of a new cooling unit.
You can also order the replacement cooling units and self install them.