I recently purchased a 1996 F350 with 350k for a really good price.(hail damage)
here are my current questions...

the trucks ABS light is always on, key on its off, key on it runs self check and fails, the brake light does not come on with the key but does with the parking brake engaged. i checked the code and it is code 12, i ensured all my brake lights are operable and non led, i checked power to all the appropriate connections and everything checks out, replaced vss with a known good one. whats next?

when i start the truck up it will lope 1-7 times then will idle normally, i tried starting in neutral to check the mlps and it made no difference..my oil is good, i have not yet checked fuel pressure as i need a buddy to help.

the truck has died numerous times coming to a stop while braking, when it does it makes an audible popping sound sometimes and is as if you had the key off in a manual and had it in gear while moving, sometimes it doesnt. when it dies, i put it in neutral and it starts right up. i changed the trans fluid when first getting the truck(3 months ago) i smelled it today, and it smells burnt...where should i look/ suspect?

my horn has stopped working, should i suspect clock spring?

the cruise control does not work, is this because the ABS light is on, or is it a clock spring issue as well?

thank you for all replies in advance, i am willing to test/try anything and i have a fully functioning parts truck to steal parts off of.

 

On the ABS light, It's a long shot, but check the in cab fuse panel to see if the fuse is good. I pulled a trailer with faulty wiring, and had the ABS light on. Replacing the fuse turned the light out. Fuse #13 is the stop, turn, cruise and more, #15 is the ABS circuit.

 

Sadly I already checked all fuses, just checked again and all is well in that department

 

Wrenched some tonight, I’ve been through so many threads i don’t know where the idea originated but I swapped barometric pressure sensor...no change. Looking around the engine bay I decided to pull the IDM and listen for water. There was a little splish splash so I swapped it with the parts truck. Truck has yet to stall coming to a stop or lope on start. Fingers crossed.

the horn problem is fixed if I tilt the steering wheel all the way down. This would solidify the clock spring idea or no?

 

Are the bearings tight in the column? Does the steering wheel move up and down or side to side? These trucks don't have a clock spring per se. They have more of a 3 run race track mounted to the bottom of the steering wheel, and a holder with 3 brushes in it that follows the race track. If the bearings go bad, the brushes can loose contact with the race track, thus breaking the circuit. I notice this more in the horn circuit, as I very seldom use the cruise.

 

The steering wheel is tight, no side to side or up and down.

 

Currently unplugged the trailer brake wiring and the abs light went out. Came back on and I wiggled the wires to the master cylinder and they went back out...guess I’ll pull the loom back and take a look.

cruise control works, as well as the horn when I tilt the steering wheel all the way down.