Yes if the thermostat is the problem then connecting the red and white wires (or if there are only 2 than those 2 are your heat contact) will remove the t.stat from the loop, and if thats the case then replace the t.stat or in the mean time just connect the 2 wires.
If the furnace is flashing a trouble code it is usually an issue with the furnace and resetting the power (turn off and back on) will clear the code and restart but if the problem still exists the code will return.
Post the code description.
