88 f-150 4.9 m50d 4x4

been a while since i posted.. been able to work out most problems on my own but this one has struck me as odd.. went to get into the truck yesterday to start it and let it idle before an oil change and just the starter spun, like it wasn't hitting the fly wheel.. so i will obviously take that off tomorrow but after i crawled under and moved the starter around and tightened up one bolt (previous owners replaced the starter before and ghetto rigged one of the bolts to fit the wrong type of starter) and everything was lined up again but when i hopped in the truck i got nothing when i turned the key on, no dash lights, no dome lights, no head lights when i turn the switch on, and the fuel pump didn't start up when i turned the key to the on position.. so first i thought maybe jumping it.. which did nothing.. next i took it out and set the battery to trickle charge.. anyways its now night time and i can see the dash better and the Check engine light remains on even when key is off.. nothing else will light up no matter what but the check engine light.. i can't get to a scan tool for a few days so i figured i'd try this first.. any information without directing me towards a scan tool would be helpful

Thanks

also an un related problem i have been trying to slowly self diagnose but it doesn't effect me really is what would cause the truck to not want to re start after being driven? have to let it sit for about 5 minutes for it to restart.. i'm thinking it needs another new starter and alternator..

 

have checked the fuses under the dash, as i said the previous owner was not the best of owners and the electrical in the engine compartment is kind of nasty so i haven't gotten to that yet as it is dark and i'm hungry..

 

Bad ground/positive connection somewhere. Start checking over your wiring from the battery and all connections to the battery.