Air Brake Abs Warning Light problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar

Abs and brake warning lights are lit on dash. Dealer says that the abs ecu has failed and that the antilock brakes will not work until this is replaced. At the same service visit the dealer found that the cruise control deactivation switch was leaking brake fluid and had failed and needed to be replaced due to a fire hazard caused by leaking brake fluid. The cruise control deactivation switch is connected directly to the brake master cylinder and the cable from the switch connects directly to the abs ecu, when they showed me the defective switch before replacing it I observed brake fluid running down the switch cable to the abs ecu. I feel there is a direct relation to brake fluid draining on to the abs ecu and its subsequent failure. This is a sealed electronic module that should not fail during the life of the vehicle. The dealer does not see it that way of course.

The abs and brake light have been on in my car intermittently for almost as long as I have owned the car. The Ford dealer was unable to find any problems even though the light remains on. I have had to replace 3 sets of wheel bearings in the car and now the power steering unit is about to go out and the rack is leaking. The vehicle only has 78,000 miles on it. I work at home so I do not drive to work so the mileage is low for a vehicle this age. The vehicle is also rusting and I keep it parked in my garage unless it is being driven. The passenger side window only rolls down occasionally. In conclusion: I have been driving for 41 years and I have never replaced wheel bearings or power steering in any vehicle, let alone 3 sets of wheel bearings and a power steering unit. The costs of these repairs will total over 2000 dollars with no resolve of the brake issue or window problem.