I've read on this forum that when the A/C condensor intermittently works that it is typically that the magnetic clutch spacing is out of spec and that when it heats up it is no longer strong enough to engage the clutch. Last night I purchased rims from a guy that works at a Volvo dealership and he claimed that the main way the A/C condensor fails intermittently is that coils in the magnet start to break and the clutch only works in certain ranges.

I'm trying to decide if I should try and fix my condensor or just buy a new one.

 

I would reshim the compressor then see how long it lasts. I have seen a shim job last over 1 year easy.