Bypassing it is not a good idea. Frezzing is one problem. Blowing a
hose is another. Last your temp. control is gone. These AC thermostats
are much better design than most cars today. Find a used one on Ebay.
Come to thing of it, I may have one....

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          86-SS Syncro
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
                                   92-Jetta GWC
            www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm

On Thu, 16 Sep 2004, James V wrote:

> After trouble-shooting my non-cold AC, my mechanic friend determined the AC
> thermostat (in left-rear pillar housing) to be bad.  The part costs $160,
> which doesn't seem so bad in comparison to a new compressor and/or R12.  But
> my friend suggested that I just bypass the t-stat for now.
>
> He explained that the t-stat functions to protect the condenser from
> freezing if it gets too cold, but that this wasn't very likely to happen.
>
> Is this bad wisdom?  I'm sure the t-stat is there for good reason, but if
> I'm only running the AC in 80+ temps, is freezing actually an issue?
>
> Thanks,
>
> James V
> 90 Carat
>