1990 F150

Hello, a gentleman from our church helped me move a couch yesterday, and mentioned that his 1990 F150 would not start. I decided I will try to fix it for him since he helped me. here are the symptoms: He told me that it would sometimes start, and sometimes it would not, all at random. then he said the new battery mysteriously went dead. when I get there, I plan to check for battery drain, and fuel pump operation, but any other ideas? I figure it will be something simple, because It's the small things that get you. (ever been bitten by an elephant?-mosquito?) thanks in advance

Hello, a gentleman from our church helped me move a couch yesterday, and mentioned that his 1990 F150 would not start. I decided I will try to fix it for him since he helped me. here are the symptoms: He told me that it would sometimes start, and sometimes it would not, all at random. then he said the new battery mysteriously went dead. when I get there, I plan to check for battery drain, and fuel pump operation, but any other ideas? I figure it will be something simple, because It's the small things that get you. (ever been bitten by an elephant?-mosquito?) thanks in advance

These model trucks (assuming this is an 8cyl) have a known recall issue on the ICM (ignition control module) mounted on the distrubutor. Basically it's a small computer chip that controls the spark in the engine. Mine died on my 100miles from the nearest PAVED road let alone parts store. The symptoms include no start, and random starts. The best way to find out if it's this part is to make sure the battery is charged, take the plug wire coming off the coil itself from it's post on the distributor then plug a spark plug into the end you unplugged from the distributor, then ground the plug against something metal in the engine bay and have someone crank the engine. If you get NO spark at all check your connections and the wire terminals, if all looks good chances are the recalled ICM is fried, or the coil is finished and not firing anymore.