I also had the thought about the engine being seized when I read about the
hot starter cables after only a couple cranks of the starter. Have you
tried taking out the spark plugs and rolling the engine with the starter?
It should have no trouble spinning the engine with no compression.

Good luck!


"Ed" wrote in message ...
Also... how did this all start? are you sure the engine is not seized
up? (Stuck piston, in gear, fluid in cylinder, etc). You said it turns
over once or twice? (That is a good sign)