a short?

When I got my 91 corolla and start it, what has started to happen is when the key is turned to start the car the dashlights come on for a split second and then everything dies. The car never starts and the dashlights go out. Turn the key again and nothing comes on. To make everything come on again you must get out, open the hood and jiggle on the positve cable. I leave the key on so I can hear the fans and heat come on. Once that happens I get back in and either it starts or you go through the process again. I don't know if the positive cable is cracked somewhere or the battery is going dead. Anyone know anything?

Make sure the battery cables are clean and secure on both ends of each cable. Make sure the posts to the battery are not damaged. If the cables show any signs of corrosion, replace them.

They are clean, and snug tight. Its like the cable is cracked or something.