So we are all of one mind the engine is trying to ground itself via the throttle and chocke cable?

I suppose the ground 'official' ground strap if there ever was one could suddenly loose contact. Does this explain the dash lights illuminating when the starter is engaged? They are grounded via the metal dash, the same as those cables.

Would this mean the starter is shorting out through the throttle and choke cables? Sending positive voltage through the metal dash?