and for the pot... it's odd... when i measure the resistance i get from 384 Ohm to 10k, nothing below 384.
Have you measured the resistance between the two ends of the pot?
You need to measure the voltage on the wiper when it is in circuit.
measured with diode setting on multimeter it said 1.9
That doesn't usually mean much.
and since the 431 has a 2.5v Reference i cannot go below that right?
Yes