Car won't start... again. PLEASE SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

[BenZar]

Hey there guys, let me start by telling you my situation. A week ago I bought a 1988 Honda Accord LXi from an individual seller. I drove the car home with no problems, however, when I tried to restart the car once I turned it off, it wouldn't start (It would make a clicking noise when I turned the ignition). No big deal, right? Well, I went to Wal-Mart and bought a new battery for my car thinking that would fix everything. I installed the new battery and the car started up like a charm. I drove the car around for about a day, then it happened again, my car wouldn't start up when I turned the ignition. I couldn't believe the battery drained so fast. I researched and found out it might be a bad alternator. I had the battery go through a diagnostic check at a Checker's Auto Parts store and they said that something fishy was going on with the battery (He said that more than likely the problem would be something else than the battery). So I got the battery recharged, and went to go get a new alternator at an alternator/starter repair shop. I even purchased new battery terminals and installed them. I dished out $200 for that. Now I thought my troubles were over. Boy was I wrong (I think I'm going insane). I drove the car around for awhile, and when I got home I decided to change the spark plugs. While doing this I noticed that there was a red, cranberry juice looking liquid that was accumulating over both of the battery terminals. I didn't know what to make of it. I drove the car around for another day, and then it happened again, my car wouldn't start. It made a clicking noise like before. Also, a weird buzzing sound, like an alarm, started going off, even when I stopped trying to turn on the car.

So, even after I had the alternator changed, it seems my battery is still somehow draining... I am beginning to lose hope... I'm supposed to be moving tomorrow... but that might not happen...

Someone please give me some advice on what I should do next, I really don't have any money left to spend on this car.

[hondacivic99sivtec]

wow. have you check all your grounds? electronics being left on?

[BenZar]

Originally Posted by hondacivic99sivtec

wow. have you check all your grounds? electronics being left on?

I don't think I have been leaving any electronics on. I haven't even been running the a/c anymore in fear that I would drain my battery too fast.

However, today I did have a stereo installed at Best Buy cause the original one was stolen. It was about 8 hours after I had it installed that I tried to turn my car on to go somewhere and it wouldn't turn on again.

Do you know what to make of the red liquid on my battery terminals? Does my battery have a leak? I sure do hope so. I'm getting the battery inspected tomorrow morning asap at wal-mart to see. I wanted to get yalls opinions though since it's late at night, and I should have been ready to move before noon tomorrow.

[mpumas]

The red liquid may actually a red paste to prevent terminal corrosion. It can be from a red donut or red grease. Nothing inside the battery is red. Auto shops put this stuff on when they replace the battery.