DME question

According to Pelican when I read my codes by way of the flashing "check engine" light, when its done reading off the codes it should read 1000, and then I should keep the pedal down for 10 seconds and that should clear everything.
Now here's what I've got
1 I don't have a "check engine" light coming on, I'm just checking the codes periodically, a couple of weeks ago I get 1234, today I get the code for bad TPS. (the number escapes me at the moment)
2 When I do get a code, it just keeps repeating the same number (I let it go for 3 hours one day) and only one number.
So does it sound like the DME is acting up or am I getting what someone called a "soft code",
and will it not read 1000 until all repairs are made? Also I disconnected the battery and that seems to clear the codes and I get 1444 code but after a while the codes start appearing again. I checked the DME again and it was dusty with a few small leaves but it was dry, at least the outside was, I didn't want to pull it apart just yet.

Any info would be greatly appreciated