Posted by Keith in Washington [172.71.151.162] on Tuesday, July 01, 2025 at 15:05:22 :
My 2013 Ford threw a code that my Bank 1 Sensor 2 NOX sensor heater was not working. This is apparently a common problem with this year truck. Often it is a wiring problem with no voltage getting to the sensor. Of course this happened when I was on a long trip. I ordered a sensor and tried to replace it but the old one would not brake loose. The sensor wrench I bought flexed and jumped, so I waited til I got home to tackle it. I used heat and penetrating oil over several days and it finally broke loose. I was able to remove it with my fingers after it popped loose and the threads were perfect with not rust.
I installed the new sensor and still no joy. I check the wiring and I had 12.6 volts at the wiring harness but much less coming out of the sensor control module, so the module is apparently bad. So I ordered a new one.
That's the simple version of the story. Trying to find wiring diagrams or expected voltages for the wiring harness, module or sensor is basically impossible, which basically left no way to test these parts. Finding the sensor was straight forward. Finding the module was a pain. Nowhere could I find the Ford part number that is on my module except for used ones on Ebay. I could find modules using the trucks info. I tried to cross reference those replacement part numbers to mine with no luck for several days. Finally I found a Ford replacement part in Canadian Ford dealer site that listed what that new module superseded and mine was listed, so I was able to confirm the fit.
It really seems that there is little information out there to really test these components. All information/repair options were based on MIL codes and replacing parts regardless if good or bad. Many times, while investigating, I saw many stories of dealers replacing thousands of dollars in parts and labor without solving the issue. It seems that dealers charge $400+ for just hooking up to the OBD2 to read the codes. I did see several cases where people ended up at independent shops that easily fixed the issues that the Ford dealers wanted to throw parts at.
Go figure in this wonderful new automotive world. Apparently a couple years ago, Ford encrypted the information in the PCM and other control modules to prevent alterations and aftermarket tuners.
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