bzztbzzt crackle

[Kent McLean]

My '94 100 S Avant, FWD automatic, has decided to act up.
While driving along a back road, I heard a bzztbzzt and
crackling coming from the right side of the dash. I parked
the car, fearing it was water getting into the ECU (given
the record rains we have been having in the NE US). But
the noise, sounding like a short circuit, seemed to be
coming from either behind the glove box (starboard side
of dash), or the passenger footwell up by the firewall.

Afterwards, the automatic shifted very hard, not smooth
at all, and shifted well short of the RPM range I am used 
to. I am wondering if the two incidents are related.

The questions are: 

a) Is the automatic transmission electronically controlled 
   by a chip in that area of the dash/footwell?

b) Will checking the diagnostic codes (OBD-I) reveal anything 
   for the transmission?

c) Will low AT fluid cause the harsh shifting? 

d) How do you check the AT fluid? (The owner's manual says 
   it requires special tools, and to have the dealer check 
   it. Bah!)

Thanks for your V6 wisdom.

--
Kent McLean
'94 100 S Avant, "Moody", still earning its name
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke