Problems with a/c, advice sought ('88 3.2)

So I'm doing a little detective work to try and resolve my not running a/c. Looking at the receiver dryer set up. The car's low pressure switch appears to be bridged and set aside. It explains why the compressor is always running. I'm going to assume that was the desired set up for some previous owner (receiver dryer with no connector for low pressure switch).

Couple of questions if anyone has time:
1. Why would someone do this?
2. Where can I get a good quality receiver drier? The one on the car (installed in 2017) looks very poor quality without the little sight glass. I see others online but they might be as crappy as this one. Any recommendations?

Thanks for any help!

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Possible that that dryer, in addition to no sight glass, also didn't have a threaded port to fit the stock high-low pressure switch (so they just bridged it always closed) -- just a thought...

 

Bridging that low pressure switch is the actions of an idiot, you can wreck the compressor if you do not have enough gas circulating in the system. When the gas circulates it has some oil mixed with it which lubricates the compressor when it goes through it. If no gas or low pressure, you run risk of compressor damage.
Buy a set of fridge gauges and connect up to the 2 connections on the pipes above the compressor to see any gas in system.
My drier was oem and did not have a sight glass, not really needed.

 

Interesting, thanks for the replies.

Buddy at work connected it up with a set of gauges, according to those there is zero gas in the system. I had the system recharged August last year. I'm dubious that it is completely empty. My friend recommended I get new service ports as he thinks these ones could be leaking. Can anyone tell me if these are anything other than standard R12-134A conversion type connecters? Anyone have recommendations for new ones?

Thanks

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Have the hoses been changed for the new type which suit 134A. The oem hoses handle F12 fine but the 134A can leak through the oem hoses i believe. From what i am told the flexy hoses run through the underside of the car.
You can test the charging connectors by connecting a plastic hose and putting end in a jar of water, but you have no gas. Ask a fridge engine about the hoses first as the car used F12 originally.
Hopefully someone with more knowledge re the hoses will chime in

 

Nope, rh sill