I recently acquired my 1988 F150 4.9 l6. It had a dead battery when I got it but would start when I jumped it. I changed the battery and now it won't start. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

I would check for spark first then fuel pressure. Did you charge the new battery first? They usually don't come fully charged.

 

I only have spark when I take out the SPOUT plug.

 

That's strange. I'm betting a fried ignition module after all the voltage ups and downs.

 

I swapped out the distributor and it came with a new (Grey) module. I did notice while testing the fuel pump relay with a test light hooked to the positive on the battery and back pining the Tan wire the test light came on with the key off, correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't the test light only come on with the key in the run position.

 

Sounds like you lost the computer ground when you changed out the battery.
Do you have a small black wire with a green stripe hooked to the NEG (-) post of the battery?
Without this wire the engine will not start.



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