Chrysler Repair: ABS malfunction, but must it be repaired?, master brake cylinder, abs pump

Question
I have a question and i hope you will be able to answer it.Our ABS pump is going out and the brakes have to be praticaly down to the floor before they will work is there anything that you know of that could be done other than replace the pump cause they said it will cost over 1000.00 to do that  

Answer
Hi Melissa,
I would suggest that you try to find a local independent brake repair shop, ideally one with a good local reputation and that is NOT part of a nationwide chain, because my understanding of the ABS systems is that when/if they fail they do so in such a way as to not impair the normal ability of the brake system to stop the vehicle. It is supposed to only result in the non-function of the ABS aspect. If that is true, then I would believe that a competent shop should be able to diagnose what it is about the standard brake system that is causing the pedal to function so close to the floor, regardless of whatever is the matter with the ABS part of the system. I would believe that a competent shop should be able to repair the brake system to function as well as a vehicle without ABS would function regardless of the status of the ABS itself. Then you would just have a van like anyone else who doesn't have ABS, and you would not need to repair the ABS pump.
Let me know please what you learn from such an approach to the problem. I do believe that there is a way around this situation without having to pay $1,000 for an ABS pump repair. The ABS is supposed to not impair the braking ability in the event of its failure.
Roland
PS If any parts of the system were recently replaced, there is a possibility that an inappropriate part was used (such as the master brake cylinder) and that is why the system is not working properly (regardless of the ABS function's status). So let the new shop know, if that might be the case.