Car only starts sometimes

Check the key switch.

It may just be a bad connection at the starter from the battery, or a bad starter. If it's clicking when you try to start it, then that's the problem.

the alternator lamp will not go out until the engine runs..
the alt converts engine horse power to electric power,
no engine, no alt.
so that means the engine will not start, or better it wont crank
subzero C or Subzero F.,, -10F or -10C, vastly different temps.
???????
no crank, then jumper cable crank it with donor car running.
crank now,?
yes , then battery is bad,weak or just discharged.
no, then starter bad, or key line bad.
hot wire starter solenoid. cranks now, is bad key line
if not, bad starter.

did you wiggle the shifter at crank.
did you wiggle key. extra.
did you try crankiing in neutral using fresh start contacts.>... yah.

When you tightened the battery connection you may have twisted the cable on the starter and shorted it to the solonoid lead causing the starter to engage . Check the connections on the starter and make sure there are not touching each other. Hope this helps.

well first try changing the gas filter check gas lines next if that dont work could be the fuel pump might not be geting yhe right power to it check the batery and wires . but you should just turn the key to on not cranking it to see if you hear the fuel pump makeing a humming noise tright away its working fine ?

you need two people one at the key and one at the starter first check batery connectionsmake sure there clean .then check cableswiggle to see if there loose .than check battery do the head lights come on bright . not ok than repair batery conn cables or charge batery. if ok than follow the click to the starter hopefully, cilinder shaped item mounted to tranmission engine connection point.( while in park or nutral) they turn key to start position you tap on starter case .if it cranks over you need to replace starter.

does it turn over at all? if not it may be ceased

verify that you have a fully charge battery and that you have the same amount of voltage at the battery as at the starter when the key is turned to the start position. If not repair fault at positive cable either at battery or at starter. If voltage checks good. Use a remote starter and turn key to the on position and try to crank over engine with remote starter. if engine cranks over. You have a defective starter solenoid and starter must be replaced.

buy manual, check starter relay, all connections between battery and starter

well i would try turning motor over buy hand if you cant PULL THE PLUGS OUT AND THEN TRY TRUNING MOTOR OVER SEE IF IT IS FULE LOCKE UP IF NOT AND YOU CAN TRUN THE MOTOR OVER BUY HAND STAT LOOKING AT BATTERY CABELS OR BAD GROUNDS HOPE THIS HELPS