OT - Mini Fridge

We have an older Magic Chef mini-fridge at work. Im not sure how old it is, I can find no tags to give me a model number on it anywhere. Im guessing its at least 20 years old, and has been trouble free as long as Ive been here, which is 12 years now. It does have a freezer in the top of it, and about once every 10 months or so it has to be defrosted. It was defrosted over the Christmas break. I Keep a gallon jug of water in it, as our water "cooler" just inst cold enough for me. I came in this morning to find my water completely frozen. After some inspection, I found that the tube for the temp sensor is disconnected and hanging. There is a spot for this tube to attach to the freezer part, but it only holds the tube in place. The remaining length is approximately 10 - 12" long. I do not see anywhere for this to attach to anything, and pics I have found of others it seems to just sit near the freezer or something, as there looks to be no way to attach it to anything. However, those I see online have like a very small bulb on the end. Mine does not have this, and it sort of looks like maybe the end was attached and somehow is now broken. So this leads me to my question: If I can find a new one with the proper wiring connector, that doesnt attach to the freezer section, can I use this, or should I just go ahead and replace the fridge?

We just bought a small mini at wal-mart for under a hundred dollars if you can fix it cheap enough it's worth a try

Don't panic thermostat may have got bumped during defrost. put more water back in and see if it does it again. might want to turn down fridge. If gone bad would think it would not cool.

Thermostat is still on the same setting as it was before it was defrosted. Even if I turn it all the way down, like from 3 to 1 it still runs. Only when I turn it to off does it stop. Im more wondering if by chance the tube is suppose to be connected to the aluminum freezer section like maybe soldered or something, and this has come loose. If its suppose to be, Im wondering if one of these types that just sits in there would work, assuming I can find a tstat that would match up to the plug.

Boss lady is looking into a new one, but since they dont like to spend money, Im exploring other, cheaper options.

Tape the tube back where it was as best as you can Many had no bulb, and just look like they were cut off. If it fails to moderate the temp, It will probably not be fixable. Jim

Wire it to the freezer bottom...