Shift cable good or bad?

You didn't provide any information or details. Shifter cables can fray or kink to the point the transmission is in a gear different than what the selector shows. They can be out of adjustment. Common symptoms of that include not going fully into "park" so the starter system won't operate. You may be able to crank the engine when in "reverse", "neutral", or "drive". They can become disconnected on the transmission's shift lever. You won't feel the normal clicks when moving the shift lever between gears. The same thing can happen if the cable breaks on one end. Shifter cables often fray near the end of their casing, causing difficulty moving the shift lever. The casing can work loose where it's anchored on the transmission. It will just slide back and forth instead of moving the transmission's shift lever. Mounting brackets can rust off. This used to be a common problem when shifters used linkages and metal rods instead of cables.

Did you solve the problem or are you making progress?

Problem solved. It was the shifter cable that was bad. Diagnosed by me being in the truck shifting gears while a friend watched the transmission end. It didn't move. New one installed and the truck is back in service. Thanks!

Dandy. I assume it was broken somewhere. Happy to hear you solved it. Please come back to see us again.