wont start

If you can help me? I have a 1989 honda civic, and I am no mechanic. But I
am learning as I go. This is my problem: When I try to start the car I
hear a click and then if I try it again the same click and then the
posative battery terminal starts to smoke a little. Help me please.

 

loose positive battery cable. tighten it!

 

Clean off the positive battery terminal and retry.

Make sure your battery is indeed well charged. It could be your battery if
it cannot deliver the power required to start. Put a voltmeter across the
battery terminals. While you are starting the car, the voltage should not
drop far (10V or more).

If your battery looks ok, get a helper, a short piece of 2x4 and a hammer.
Have the helper try to start the car, put the 2x4 on the starter and give it
a love tap with a hammer. (the 2x4 is just to make sure you don't bend that
starter).
It may start now and is an indication of having a bad starter.

Remco.