newbie ford owner here.

Hi all. this is my first ford in 40 years, so bear with me.

i have a 2000 windstar with the following problems:

my abs light is on and what will be the easiest way to check it out.

standing infront of the van you see headlights, side lights/turn signal and on the bottom of the bumper is another set of lights, i HAVE no clue how to turn them on. are they fog/aux turn signals? they wont come on with the headlights or turn signals, the bulbs are new. otherwise the van runs great. thanks for your help.

ABS light, check brake fluid level in master cylinder.
If not full to the top side of the full line, the ABS light can come on.

While you are doing that, look on the bottom of the master cylinder.
There is a switch there (wires going to it) that is prone to leak.
If it has moisture, replace it.

Otherwise, a common cause is an issue with the wheel sensors.
At each wheel, behind the brakes, is a gear.
This gear is the exciter ring, and there will be a sensor located about 1/4" away from the teeth of the gear.
The sensor creates an electrical pulse each time one of the teeth on the gear passes it.
This is how the ABS system keeps track of how fast each wheel is turning.
Sometimes, a sensor can get bumped, causing too big of a gap, and it then does not pick up the signal.
The sensors and gear can also become damaged.

Lights below the bumper would be fog lights.
They likely have a separate switch for turning on.

My 2001 does not have a switch for the fog lamps. The come on with the main headlight switch.
+1 on the switch under the master cylinder.

If the lights are round (IIRC), then they're fogs. If they're rectangular, and sit on the very corner, then they're corner markers that come on with the turnsignals. In either case, have the fuses been checked?

Thanks for the correction Road_rascal!
I am only familiar with the '96, and don't know if that option was available then.....I have not seen any factory fog lights.
So.....this is the information to follow.
Just because I am "moderator" does not mean that I know everything....so WHEN (not if) I am wrong.....PLEASE correct me.

MAIN thing......make sure that they are factory and not aftermarket.....aftermarket....who knows what you can find.....
It sounds like they are factory on your year......but just make sure
You will be able to tell.....