Yes, what you are saying sounds like evidence that these things can be made easier to repair.

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!

You need to be an electrician to properly diagnose most modern car problems. Its expensive, so instead we get mechanics reading codes and replacing parts suggested by the manual/reader and billing you for it even if that doesnt fix the problem. Its commendable he even tried the hack, but it felt halfhearted :( No time to to measure or source proper sensor (second hand one from wreckers would be guaranteed compatible), 5-10 hours ripping whole truck apart instead "by the book".

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).