99 Voyager, Electrical problem??

I started having problems starting my car, you would have to turn the key a couple times to get the starter to kick over. Afterr a couple of weeks, it wouldnt start, the battery was dead. Charged it up and it started but ran rough. Shut it off and the starter kept turning! Had to unfasten neg battery cable to make it stop. Try to put the cable back on and the battery post starts to crackle and pop like crazy. I undid both the 40 amp and 10 amp fuses for the starter and the ignition and I still cant get the neg cable on. It acts like the polarities are reversed. I dont want to take it to a mechanic because I dont trust the locals. Anyone have any ideas what may be wrong?? I appreciate any suggestions. I am about to go out and take the starter off and test it.

Wow, and it's not even the 4th of July yet. Sounds like your starter took out your battery. The battery is likely shorted internally. Replace both and while you're at it have the alternator tested as a CYA measure. Your battery may have fried it too.

Once that's done and the fireworks are over, if you still have problems starting here's the voltage path: battery/ignition switch/neutral start switch/starter relay/starter. Good bet your new starter will fix the original problem - worn solenoid contacts.