HenryBHough
Diamond Member
Sounds most like a deteriorated ground or perhaps the positive lead from the battery to the starter relay. Bad ground (at either end) would allow enough current flow to run the radio, etc. but not enough to run the starter, That you had a melted terminal suggests a problem right there at the positive cable - right where it joins the battery clamp. It could be any of several other things but those are easiest to locate and check out.