Air Brake Abs Warning Light problems of the 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle

My abs dash indicator came on steady, the brake indicator on the dash started flashing and what sounded like the interior chime started sounding continuously. I pulled over into a parking lot and turned off the engine. A puff of smoke/steam came up from the passenger front wheelwell and there was a horrible hiss and whine coming from under the hood on the same side and a burning plastic smell. The dealer said it was the abs module (which they changed for $950!!!) and that only fixed the abs light. No clue on the flashing brake idiot light and now they say the ac does not work at all. No refrigerant, so obviously a leak. It seems way too coincidental. I heard about an abs module recall back in '03 which could short circuit and cause an engine fire. I don't have any idea about the engine compartment geography and I've only had the car (bought used) for about a year and a half. It appears I am not the only person to have experienced this problem. . Read more...