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There could well be a small spark when connecting the cable -- there are functions, such as the keyless entry, that are always on, and would draw current just as the connection is being made.
The battery could be bad -- you Voltmeter reading should help here. Measure at the battery posts, no the cable connectors.
But you could have a bad cable or connection. Sometimes a cable clamp looks good, but corrosion has set in between the clamp and the wire itself. Also, a bad ground connection would result in similar symptoms.
Not sure about jiggling of the shift lever. When the car would not start, and you try the lever, have you been able to move it out of Park, say, into Neutral? Or is it stuck in Park, and you can only jiggle it there?
The battery could be bad -- you Voltmeter reading should help here. Measure at the battery posts, no the cable connectors.
But you could have a bad cable or connection. Sometimes a cable clamp looks good, but corrosion has set in between the clamp and the wire itself. Also, a bad ground connection would result in similar symptoms.
Not sure about jiggling of the shift lever. When the car would not start, and you try the lever, have you been able to move it out of Park, say, into Neutral? Or is it stuck in Park, and you can only jiggle it there?
