Hello and thanks in advance

I have a 1989 f150 4spd with the 4.9 I6. Heres my problem (I just bought the truck 2 days ago)

At startup, the truck Revs up and down, and sputs when I hit the accelerator, and at times cuts out all together. But after it warms up (I guess) it stops but still sputs a little when I press the gas (Kind of like a low RPM sputter 3-4 sputs and then stops) Does anyone have any idea what this might be?

Also, It doesnt crank you have to take a screwdriver and manually start it by crossing the metal on the starter. But you still have to turn the key and everything, just doesnt crank. I was thinking starter solenoid but then if the starter works by manually forcing it then the starter is working fine it seems to me. The guy I bought it from says that in the steering column theres a bar that connects to a hook or something that when you turn the key it broke or something. Or it could be the plastic ignition casing (Honestly I looked and didnt see anything but the guy did sound like he was a little full of it..But I couldnt pass it up for the deal I got on it)

Anyways, Thats my only 2 problems with the truck. If anyone could shed some light on it i would greatly appreciate it.

 

I had that same issue on my '95 5.0. It's the starter solenoid. The guts inside fell apart that connect the two but you can still manually start it. Also since you are doing that you may want to replace the solenoid on the fender as it's probably close to being bad as well and only $10. The starter Solenoid runs about $40 last time I checked.

 

Thanks alot. We worked on it today and was thinking the ignition switch so we got one (like 15 bucks) but nothing. Ill try the solenoid. Thanks.

 

Sure thing. It takes a small torx to remove. I think a T25 but can't recall the exact size.