If it's in the designed "limp mode" you'll have 1st, 2nd, and reverse gears.

Per the diagram and if it is the 10 amp fuse#2, drive it with the instrument cluster disconnected. Fuse still blows? The cluster is in the clear leaving wiring to the cluster or TCM or the TCM itself as the culprit.

 

OK drove the van with the insterment cluster un-pluged fuse blew so now do I have to replace the TCM or is it maybe something going on between the tcm and the cluster. is the tcm something I can get at pick & pull or do I need to buy it new ?

 

If you are blowing fuse's you have a short to ground, try moving the harness around and see if there any changes.

 

Which harness? The TCM harness?

I'm having the identical problem with my 99. Disconnected the cluster, but still blowing fuses. Error code P1698.

Could a bad TCM cause this?

Thanks.