when testing the circuit for shorts, the circuit with a short will read the signal voltage between the 2 testing points if theres a problem. a good circuit will read 0 volts between 2 testing points because the signal does not need to go through the multimeter

 

I have a 97 dakota doing the same thing. Did you figure out what was the problem and how to fix it? I am baffled, and don't want to spend the money for a "professional" to fix it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

talk about reviving a dead post dude....

 

sounds like you may have lost one of the connectors to the transmission I would check that and see what you get. Also sounds like you maybe have something more serious... Check your computer... sounds off.