Volvo: 1999 S70 - check eng light, ABS light and more, volvo repair, mechanic shop

Question
I am glad I found your site.Just reading answers to other's problems helps. I have a 1999 Volvo S70 which I really liked until the lights started flashing. Check eng light comes on, as does the STC triangle, then the ABS light will join and sometimes the brake light. The mechanic who just changed my oil said I do need new back brakes. I went and had the "codes" read and 3 came up:  P0722 - output speed sensor circuit - no sensor, P0444 - Evap Emission Control Leak, and P1618 Mfg Control Aux input/output. Would this have anything to do w/needing new brakes?The car has been carefully maintained by the original owner (I have copies of the maintenance) and only has 80,000 miles. Maybe I should have bought a Honda.
Can you provide guidance as to what is wrong and what I would expect for repairs?  I'm also having difficulty finding a good mechanic shop that I don't feel "ripped off" since I'm female.
Thanks!

Answer
Renee,
With all the lights that are on and the codes that are stored, there is a potential problem(s). Usually what I do is read the codes and note them erase them and see what comes back and do the appropriate repair(s). ie Repair the speed sensor fix any evap leaks etc. What those will entail is hard to say. Most times the evap leaks take about 2 hours labor, possibly a line for about $30. Sensor maybe poor contacts and that is labor about an hour. I do not know what P1618 is. The codes you provide are "generic" ones and not Volvo. If you had the codes read by a Volvo repair shop they tend to be more specific. None of these faults would reflect on the rear brakes. The ABS light could mean a fault in that system and the codes need reading. ABS control units have been a problem. If the light is on that means there is a fault and the ABS portion of the braking system will not work. ABS control unit is $375 with one to one and a half hours labor.
See about finding a shop that works on Volvo as they will more that likely be able to make the repairs. Get me city, state and zip. I'll see if there are any shops that might help.