We have an 88 Ford F150 yard plow trick. 5.0. The battery has been dying so we put a new one in yesterday.. truck ran fine plowed the yard. Went out this morning battery is dead. Took the battery in to the shop had it charged. Truck started up, ran a few seconds died and would not start again.. Bought and installed a new alternator, still no spark so put in a new coil. Turns over, but will not start, it still has no spark. Have added dry gas also. Any ides for us? We are stumped and frustrated and have 2 feet of snow coming.. thanks for your help.

This is a common problem on older Ford vehicles. Here's how to replace the ignition module.
Ford Won't Start/No Spark (http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com/2008/12/older-ford-vehicles-with-distributors.html)

Also, make sure you're battery is fully charged with a new alternator. An alternator will NOT charge a dead battery. See Testing an Alternator (http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com/2007/11/testing-alternator-without-blowing-it.html)

Replace the Ignition Control Module:

While we find your parts, please enter your ZIP Code at PartsAmerica.com (http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/ProductList.aspx?PartType=194&PTSet=A)

HI Rick.. thanks we will try that next... really stinks... but I really appreciate your help... if it's not that module any other ideas for us.. someone at the car part place mentioned the wiring harness I believe.. I sure hope it's not that... thanks again, have a good evening.

This is a common problem on older Ford vehicles. Here's how to replace the ignition module.
Ford Won't Start/No Spark (http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com/2008/12/older-ford-vehicles-with-distributors.html)

Also, make sure you're battery is fully charged with a new alternator. An alternator will NOT charge a dead battery. See Testing an Alternator (http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com/2007/11/testing-alternator-without-blowing-it.html)

Me again... this is what has been done so far: 88 Ford F150 yard plow trick. 5.0. The battery has been dying so we put a new one in.. truck ran fine plowed the yard. Went out next morning battery is dead. Took the battery in to the shop had it charged. Truck started up, ran a few seconds died and would not start again.. Bought and installed a new alternator, now no spark so put in a new coil. Turns over, but will not start, it still has no spark. Have added dry gas also. Wrote here and Rick suggested (see below) that is was probably the ignition module.. changed that and it started right up! Yeah... now it has spark and will not start on a day below freezing, sometimes not even when it's above freezing. Husband says it's getting gas. The carborator was replaced with a junkyard one sometime before we got it, if that matters. Doesn't seem to be getting a full crank off the battery, but is turning over and we have hooked our 1 ton van to the battery while trying to start if for an extra boost, but no go. Again, it is getting spark and supposedly gas, it will pop occasionally, but won't start up.. any more ideas for us? Timing is off a little also, but it has started and ran fine a few times with that going on. Can't get a timing light on it until it starts again, should have done it when it was starting. Thanks for any help you can offer.



This is a common problem on older Ford vehicles. Here's how to replace the ignition module.
Ford Won't Start/No Spark (http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com/2008/12/older-ford-vehicles-with-distributors.html)

Also, make sure you're battery is fully charged with a new alternator. An alternator will NOT charge a dead battery. See Testing an Alternator (http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com/2007/11/testing-alternator-without-blowing-it.html)