Ok that is something to work with. I am one the idiots on this site that will TRY to help you with only limited info ;-) (Nothing aimed at you Bobdog) Is the starter R terminal hooked up to a wire going to the coil? You could unhook the main heavy cable from the battery that attatches to the big lug on the starter, MAKE SURE IT WONT HIT ANYTHING METAL ON THE CAR. Sorry, dont want to hear stories of sparks flying. After its unhooked try to crank the starter (it wont of course) and see if the problem still happens. That may rule out a short in the starting circuit, or if it still happens you need to look elsewhere.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.