Cranks but won't start. Unplug ground at field spade on Alternator and it starts?

Background:
https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopa...-remote-starter-switch.564972/post-1974744550
Volts don't bleed.
Volts indicate loss of potential energy in the current path.

The ammeter - which you refered to - that there was no discharge indicating when the headlights were on with the engine running, presumably it showed discharge when starting and charge after starting. That's an example of current flow through a path. Once the battery is charged no current through that path.

So now lets take that to your missing 4 volts. Those volts when the current flowed through some resistance. OR they show the battery's energy level being drawn down by the starter.

We need to better understand the two locations where voltage to ground is being measured and the circumstance. If possible, also what the ammeter was showing.