Let me start from the beginning here. A few months back I went to start
my truck (99 Ram 1500 318 Automatic trans) but didn't hold the key long
enough so I went to turn it again, it turned very slow and labored and
started with a preignition sound (spark knock) Immediately my ABS and
Brake light came on and the speedometer stopped working except at
highway speeds. I googled this group and found several entries saying
to replace the VSS that connects to the bottom of the transmission.  I
waited a month or so and my check engine light came on. I took the
truck to Autozone for a free scan and it came up that the vehicle speed
sensor had failed. It was only $20 so I bought it.  I pulled the old
one out and found a metallic slime on the end which I guess is to be
expected for a strong magnet. The new one went in fine.  I pulled the
battery cable for several minutes and then restarted.

The truck started and immediately shut off.  So I started it again and
it came on, but the ABS and Brake light were still stuck on. So I
thought well, maybe the truck needs to relearn so I went to drive it.
For the first 5 to 10 minutes the shifting was really erratic. Such as
waiting till about 3500RPM to shift into second gear even at gradual
accelleration. Or sudden downshifting even during accelleration.  After
10 minutes the problem seemed to resolve itself.

But I'm still stuck with the original problem.  I thought about
returning the VSS to Autozone but when I looked at the new one, the
plastic has some gouges from my pliers so I guess I'm stuck with it.

Is there any other procedures to reset the ABS system other than
pulling the battery? I even pulled the ABS fuses to see if that helped
but it didn't.  Is the VSS the only part of the truck that feeds the
speedometer?  I noticed there is another sensor on the differential
that is held in with a bracket that also holds some brake lines.  I
called the dealer and confirmed it was part of the ABS system, they
said 50$ for that part and $150 to install it.

Any other suggestions?