The SPOUT (SPark OUTput) wire is what the computer uses to tell the Ignition Control Module (ICM) to advance the spark. This plug is located on a wire right below the distributor with a shorting bar plugged into the plug to jumper the wire together. This shorting bar must be remove (disconnecting the computer from the Ignition system) to set the timing with the timing light.

Image:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g9...out88small.jpg

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no light when we do this. what does that mean. also put the tester in tack mode and nothing happened grounded with the positive on the coil but the tachometer( in dash) just barely moves when cranked

 

If the test light does not light with a good ground when back probing both coil wires (the red wire with a green stripe & the green wire with a yellow stripe) it means you are not getting power from the Ignition Switch.

 

the truck cranks fine but no spark what would block power from the Ignition Switch to the coil but still crank good

 

Bad Ignition switch, Ignition Switch plug or the wiring and plugs in between.

 

I am not great at reading wiring diagrams, but it looks like there is a fusible link in there between the ignition switch and the coil(Haynes manual). I had a deal like this a couple years ago with a '90 Ford Taurus, the Haynes manual for that also showed a fusible link but I couldn't find it for the life of me(it must have been wrapped in tape at the factory along with a bunch of other wires. I had already determined that the ignition switch was good with a test light, so I just ran another wire to the coil. If this turns out to be your problem don't cut any wires just splice into them so the alternator will still charge(that's another story).

 

if my eec relay was bad would that make this happen?

 

if the eec relay is bad would that make this all hapen

 

No the EEC Relay is not between the Ignition Switch and the Ignition Coil.

Fuse Links Power to Ignition Switch:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g9...ams/012-01.jpg

Ignition Switch:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g9...ams/020-01.jpg

EEC Power relay:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g9...ams/024-01.jpg

Ignition System:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g9...ams/020-04.jpg
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On my 90 f-350 the fusible link for the ignition was in a harness on the right side between the battery and the fender wall. The ulitimate failure was a green and yellow wire in the harness connection on the drivers fender wall. Had power on the side from the switch but nothing on the other side. Looking at the diagrams from "Data Research by Automotive Hobbyists" all 1990 models are the same. Hope the 1989 is too or you can download schematics from them.

 

The only "green and yellow wire" i know of in this area is the SPOUT wire and it will not open the fuse link if shorted to ground. It may take out chip the computer but not the fuse link.

He also said the engine cranks so the fuse link is good that feeds the Ignition Switch.

 

Then only other thing to do is trace the coil wire back to where it is not recieving power. PITN but had to do it on mine, only took about 1/2 an hour.

 

we are tracing the wire and in one of the wireing harnesses there is a bare wire wraped in some stuff like tinfoil does anyone know what that is???

 

The bare wire is ground #48 for the tinfoil (shield) and the tinfoil should be wrapped around the Ignition wires (PIP 56, SPOUT 36 & IGN Ground 16).
Look at the wiring diagram I posted above for Ignition.

 

thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!