The problem with modern cars is not obvious until you have to repair one
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So dude ordered wrong value thermistor sensor to do his hack and gave up. Used only idiot box code reader for diagnostics. Didnt bother with multimeter and checking reference voltage, plugging replacement sensor outside the BOX before ripping things out, or even measuring working sensor in another truck to compare with the bad one and replacement.
I still value people that can be technical — just don't want to need to ask for help for basic maintenance on grocery getter shitbox!
This isnt even a right to repair issue - non dealer wont have any qualms bodging third party sensor, getting one for $5 from pullapart yard, or slapping a resistor bypass for a cheap kludge. Plus you get access to wiring diagrams and codes from Ford. This sensor might not be available separately from them, but I dont see it as a big problem, its not a customized unobtanium part (like Apple charger chips with special firmware Renesas is forbidden from selling you).
Heater core jobs are 6+ hours in many cars unless a trick is figured out specific to the model years down the line. (And to be clear you usually get charged 6 hours of labor since they're going by book time)
They should have replaced that 20 dollar sensor along with the rest of the HVAC work they did. I'm also guessing it's not a coincidence the sensor failed after they were in there
My grandpa used always say that DIY is mainly covering your bad work