its not the battery, i put a new one in a couple days ago.
when i turn the key to 'on' the lights come on and it beeps like it should. then i turn the key to start and i hear a click, and everything dies.
the only way to get power back to the car is to unhook the positive terminal and put it back on.

so what could it be?

 

Faulty battery terminals/cables, faulty ground, or a short to ground somewhere in the main power circuit.

Do all the lights come back on if you wiggle the battery terminals while the key is in position II?

 

yeah.
so your saying i have to replace terminals and/or grounds?

 

The cable terminals just aren't making good contact with the posts on the battery. Try squeezing them a little to make a slight oval shape, then install and tighten. This should allow them to make better contact.

 

ill try that when its not so cold out.
thanks man.

 

ok so it was bad connections and grounds and stuff. thanks again