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i narrowed it down by reading other threads...but i was wondering in my case its diffrent...heres what i do.

95 civic dx 2dr with a d16z6 engine

1.open the car/put in the key.
2.i switch the key and my car does not turn any starter lights. sometimes it would do a clicking noise.
3. i pop the hood, and take off the negative terminal on the battery and put it on again.
4. and after that the car would start up again >_> for like 2-3 times.
5 the next day i leave it parked same thing...what is it? the negative terminal header on the car looks pretty beat up...i should get a new one but im just wondering should i get a new battery first or alternator? or check all the fuses? can someone throw me a bone here on where to start? thank you.

 
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It sounds to me like you might have a compound issue. When a battery dies its never the same, sometimes can't hold a charge worth a damn. Not staying charged, if its not the battery, leads to the alternator. However, start with the simple stuff first. Buy a new neg terminal connector, clean all the crap off then reconnect the new terminal and start the car. If it doesn't stay on then battery then alternator. If you remove the battery or alternator and take it to a parts store (advance auto or something) they will diagnose it for free. Don't think its a fuse but check em anyway, can't hurt they're cheap. Hope this helps.

 
Rep Power: 235

Yeah electrical problems come in pairs.. or triplets.. or more.

When my battery died, it turns out it was because of a short that blew my feul pump fuse, ruined the fuel pump, and had nothing to do with the alternator like I thought.

I agree with the above, just do it piece by piece to eliminate problems. Take your batt to autozone or oreilly, they'll charge it for free, put it back in, see if it runs and for how long, if it eventually dies again, chances are its your alternator. If your brave, run a voltmeter across your alternator wires when their live.

 
Rep Power: 812

change both your battery clamps and sand down the battery posts, then wipe them off and put dielectric grease before putting back on. i saw a car with such bad corrosion that the car wouldnt start cause it wasnt making good contact. try that, then have the battery tested.

 
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well my car seems to be starting normally...i cleaned up the headers. gonna get them replaced this weekend. thanks guys.

 
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bad terminals will do that. because some times you get a good connection some times you dont