I have a 2017 Ford F-150 XLT 4WD (6 Cylinders G 3.5L DI Turbo DOHC 213 CID). I purchased this vehicle used with a warranty. During the warranty period I took it back to the dealership with a complaint that the air would be cold and sometimes while idling or driving the air coming from the vents would start blowing warm. The dealership on both occasions stated they couldn't find anything wrong (now I know why). This was in 2020. Now it rarely blows cold air. I had the business where I get my oil change done check it as they are a full service center and 5 minutes later they told me I had a sensor in the dashboard that has gone bad and needs to be replaced. They said unfortunately they would have to remove the dashboard to get to the sensor and it would cost around $1500 to $2000 to fix. I decided to wait and through networking a local mechanic was recommended to me. I took my truck to him. He put gauges on to see if the refrigerant was low and he noticed one of the Schrader valves appeared to have leaked so he replaced them. He recharged the system and it blew cold air only while being driven. He replaced the expansion valve and this did not help. After doing some research and talking to the dealership where I bought the vehicle and had it looked at they told him it sounded like the evaporator temperature sensor in the dashboard. They also told him how to test it to see if it was working properly. Well it wasn't. The mechanic told me this was a 15.5 hour job and labor alone would be $1500 to replace a $30 part. I have done mechanical work before but have never removed a dashboard. My mechanic felt I was capable of doing everything except evacuating the system and recharging it. He told me if I wanted to give it a shot he would evacuate the system and store the R1234YF until I am ready to recharge. I am contemplating taking on this task as I am retired and have the time. I guess I have 2 questions; 1) am I crazy for trying to do this? 2) I have seen some videos that say Ford does not sell this sensor and that you have to buy an evaporator assembly and it will come with the sensor but you have to switch all the other parts over to the new assembly. I have seen other places that sell the sensors? Any insight, suggestions or information will be appreciated. I plan to get a monthly subscription to ALLDATA to assist me.

Confirmed today through Ford and the Internet that I can't buy just the evaporator temperature sensor. I was told that the sensor was built in to the climate control housing; which was $1200. I then asked if they had patr # ML3Z19860E which I found on a Ford service notice. They said they had one in stock and I asked if it had an evaporator temperature sensor attached since it was in the picture. They indicated they didn't think so; so I asked if they could get and open it in front of me and if it did I would buy it. They did and it did so I bought it at $216. I have replaced my original evaporator and am now putting my cash back in. I will let you know if it works.

 

Welcome. Are you talking about the temperature probe in the evaporator under the dash?

 

Yes I assume that is what they are talking about. Is there more than one temperature sensor in the evaporator?

 

No

 

look at my thread about cleaning / flushing the evap core in the 09-14 section. I would see if you can do a little research and see if the evap/heater core housing is the same as what I show in my thread. I wouldn't be surprised if it's similar. If so Id say cut a hole in that housing, reach in there and replace the sensor then seal it back up with flex seal tape. I cleaned out my evap core this way and could have cut the access panel differently to reach that sensor if needed without much trouble. I drop the glove box and check every now and then, no sign of moisture, condensation or air leaks around the flex seal tape.

 

I did my own repair this week using AllData giving me step by step instructions that were spot on. Local Ford dealer did try to tell me I would need to buy entire climate control box but once they pulled part# ML3S19860E and opened it we confirmed it did have the evaporator temperature sensor attached. It cost around $220. I took my time and understood each step prior to doing it. Took 5 days but again I was not in a rush. Blowing ice cold air now. Saved over $2000 by doing it myself.