Mitsubishi Repair: dead battery, dick dick, battery cables

Question
I have a 2001 Mit. Eclipse Gt.  I replaced the battery and the care wouldn't start.  All I got was a clicking noise that sounded like it was coming out of the alternator.  I checked all the cables to make sure there was a good connection, no luck.  After trying to start a few times the clicking noise even stopped.  I would turn the headlights on and would get nothing except a clicking noise coming out of the battery.  I unhooked the battery for a couple of hours and I was back to the original clicking noise, headlights worked.  After turning key a few times headlights stopped working again.  I am confused!!
Dick

Answer
Dick: I would check to see if you might have a weak or bad relay. In with the engine is a black box, maybe one or maybe three black boxes; each car is different. But in that box or boxes are relays and larger fuses. You will have to read on the box or in the car book if you have that, but I believe on the top of the box should tell you what is in it for relays. I would check to see if there is a bad relay or maybe even a loose one. You will need a flashlight to be able to check the relays, if you find a bad one, remove the neg cable from the battery, remove the relay and then put in the new relay. Then put the cable back on the battery. Hey what made you replace the battery in the first place? The clicking noise is most likely coming out of the starter. My repair manual says if your starter is clicking, then the starter is bad, so the starter will need to be replaced. If you are not getting any power then you need to check that relay. The relay for that should be in a box in around that battery. The book says to also check your battery cables, I know for a fact these little cars have to have those cables tight. In that you an not move the cable at all, the book says to make sure that the cables are in good working order and that the part that hooks to the battery is clean. Oh hey you should go out and buy yourself a repair manual for your car. Most parts stores have them, they cost around $20.00 and are well worth the money. Hope this helps and God bless: Linda