I hooked the jumpers exactly the way you described in your sticky! Lol
And the way I always did on my newer trucks.
What has me confused is why it won't give me codes the way you describe and will with just the short jumper wire.
Could there be something wrong in the harness?

 

Still not following you. The light comes on with the key off?

 

Yes if I hook it up like this.the light is on all the time regardless of the key position.

 

Your voltmeter might be letting power through the negative side. The bulb has power with the key on and the connection is grounded to turn it on and move the voltmeter. Key off the positive side of the bulb can be ground and you're giving it power through the ground side.