AIR CONDITIONING

[Macrobb]

When the clutch stops engaging, take a couple of jumper wires, unplug the connector at the compressor and put ground on one, 12V on the other. It should immediately engage - if not, something's wrong with the clutch itself.
This might well be the problem - I've seen the clutch wears to the point that the gap is too much and the electromagnet has a hard time pulling it enough to yank it inward(once it moves closer, it'll have more magnetic flux and just pull itself in the rest of the way).

 

[rempfer]

Thank you all for the good replies.

According to the shop the pressures (both high and low side) were correct, the orifice tube and radiator pathways were unrestricted and so, as previously mentioned, and I wanted to proceed as if this were an electrical or sensor problem rather than a mechanical problem to see what might come to light. My recent post was hoping for a novice-level instruction on how first to proceed and especially Macrobb's suggestion is right on the money.

Now I need Mother Nature to provide that essential hot day that will cause the air conditioning to stop working before I can conduct the 12v-to-the-compressor-connector experiment. So please don't think your remarks and suggestions are being ignored. I am poised, test leads in hand, waiting for that mercury to rise so I can hold up my end of the bargain.