1997 Honda Accord Intermittent Clutch Failure- 97 Accord A/

1997 Honda Accord 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

The 97 Accord V-6 A/C always works perfectly (it's ice cold) for at least 30 minutes. Then it slowly fades away in the Texas heat. It won't work again until the car is parked and it cools down. When the AC is not working, the radiator and condensor fans are running. And, for sure, the compressor clutch is not engaging the compressor. Absolutely positive. I have done considerable analysis and replacement with genuine Honda parts: new clutch relay, new thermostat, checked all of the wiring for continuity. Having read another post on the website, I bypassed the on/off switch on the HVAC dash controls, with another switch, thinking it might be faulty even though the green light is showing it is on. No difference. Lastly: I installed a wire, tapped in to the compressor clutch wire, at the furthest forward point possible, before it disappears in to the compressor clutch and then hooked it up to my multimeter inside the cabin, so that, while driving, I could positively find out if there is voltage at the clutch when the system fails. When it fails, there IS VOLTAGE present at the clutch (about 13.3 volts). So. Shouldn't I conclude that since there is voltage present, I have intermittent failure of the compressor clutch? Is there such a thing as intermittent clutch failure, and not just total failure? The compressor must be fine since it produces extremely cold air when working. And, it couldn't be the thermal protector on the compressor, could it, since my jury-rig wire bypassed it and there is voltage at failure? I already have a new clutch available, but haven't installed it because it is so inaccessible. But I will if that's the problem. Please help. My wife is driving me nuts. For some reason, she prefers to be cool.