What can cause my 2001 Lincoln Contenintal's ABS light to come on, the speedometer to fall to zero and the transmission to not hift properly.

my 2001 Lincoln continental has 100000 miles. It makes a bell noise and then the abs light comes on , the speedometer stops working, and the transmission does not shift. The problem is not constant but happens intermittently. A shop diagnosed the problem as the ABS control module is bad. This part is discontinued but pricey if you can find one and does it have to be programmed before installing? PLEASE HELP!