Chrysler Repair: 2002 Dakota 4x4 v8 transmission code P1698, dakota 4x4, shift linkage

Question
Hi. My 2002 Dodge Dakota recently blew the prndl fuse.  Lacking power when depressing gas pedal. Trans. Indicator lights not working either.  Not showing what gear I'm in. It's an automatic by the way. I turned the key to get a code from the cluster(dash) and it gave a code P1698.  I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the transmission as it's the transmission position fuse that keeps blowing when I try replacing it. It happened once before about 8 months ago and the dealership said they just replace the prndl fuse and it didn't blow and was working again.  I was going to check the wiring to transmission by the shift linkage to see if it is worn or anything.  Or maybe could it be the transmission switch?  Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Angie

Answer
Hi Angie,
I don't have any diagrams for the truck lines so I can't tell you what might cause the fuse to blow. The P1698 code is saying that the digital data from the trans controller is not getting on data bus line which would be consistent with a power supply loss at the trans controller. I would be inclined to check the cold (no 12V side) wire at the fuse socket where the fuse has blown to see if you can trace the downstream side with an ohmmeter to find the place where it is shorted or there is a component that has an abnormally low impedence (ohms) reading which would cause the fuse to blow.
I wish I could be more specific but without such wiring diagrams I can't be more helpful.
Roland