Chrysler Repair: 2000 T/C A/C compressor: disabling it., metal shavings, compressor clutch

Question
QUESTION: Our A/C compressor went bad and now we need a new compressor, evaporator and drain and recharge the system.  The mechanic said there are probably metal shavings in the system and that is why it needs to be drained and recharged.  We have only a few weeks left of summer and I don't want to spend $800-$1000 on something that I won't need until next summer.  He said I will be unable to use my defroster b/c the minute I set the fan to defrost mode it will turn on the a/c compressor?  Is this true?  Is there a way to disable the compressor?  Or can we just replace the compressor and belt and not worry about the other parts right now.  I just need to be able to use the defroster in the winter months, not the a/c.  Thank  you very much.
Shannon

ANSWER: Hi Shannon,
There is a simple electrical connection on the clutch of the compressor which when disconnected will prevent the compressor from turning. But it may already be the case that if the compressor went bad and as the result the refrigerant leaked out then the compressor clutch will not be activated by the computer because it has to have a certain minimum pressure of refrigerant or it won't activate the clutch. Either way, the compressor will not fire up. Try it and see if it comes on when you try defrost and if so then just go to the compressor and unplug the only wire at the front end near the belt.
The defrost does utilize the a/c normally because cooled air is dryer than hot air so it does a better/quicker defrosting of the windshield, but it will still blow cabin or ourside air up on the windshield even if it isn't pre-cooled air. Your defrost will just be less than perfect.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can you point me to a site that might have a diagram of the what we need to disconnect?  Hubby is a bit uncertain without a picture or diagram to go by.  We live at high altitude with low moisture in the winter so that shouldn't be too big of an issue with the defroster not being cooled air.

Answer
Hi Shannon,
The AC compressor is of course driven by a belt on the front of the engine. If you have the 3.3 or 3.8L engine it would be on the side of the engine closest to the radiator, the top-most device so it is staring you 'in the face'. It only has one electrical connection, a plug with two wires. Gently lift a locking tab at the edge of the plug and pull it out of the socket. The wire colors are dark blue/black and black, for reference. But you should find the wire and its plug in the area of the compressor just behind the belt drive flange which is where the clutch is located that you want to disable. Tape the disconnected plug out of the way of the moving belt for future use when you repair the system. If you check Autozone.com they may have a picture of the compressor area as installed, but I don't know for sure. Just check their help section for-do-it yourself repairs.
Roland