1997 Ford F150 ABS brake system locked up

I have a 97 F-150 4x4, the shift lever on the column cannot be moved into gear, the ABS is flashing and I discovered a thing on the end of the master cylinder that is connected to a wiriing clip that is partially melted, smells burned and looks burned after I unscrewed it off of the end of the master cylinder. Will this burned thing do this and is it a switch of some sort or what should I ask for. What could have caused this to melt or have some kind of short .
HELP,
Thanks.
Pete Farmer