i can start the car normally with no lights radio, anything on, its fine, then when i put the lights on and the radio, it doesn't spark,

what problem am i lookin at here, i'll charge the battery up just in case but i wouldn't think that it is that, maybe the alternator or something

 

I had to install a solar panel and a on top of that connect a hot lead directly from my altenator to my battery. This is after replacing the battery three times. I also replaced the alteantor, both of the battery cables, the voltmeter, and regulator. I hope that this helps. The other thing is to take the time to find your short, because that what it sounds like. By the time that yo find a short, you could just rewire the enire car.

 

I had the same problem with my 83. It turned out to be my battery. I went through 3 altenators after realizing what was happening. The fluid level in my battery was so low it wasn't supplying enough amps to the electrical system. So when I turned my headlights on it would fry the altenator cause it was trying to pull more amps then the altenator could supply since my battery wouldn't put out enough amps. Check the fluid level in your battery, that maybe the cause. Check the wiring to the altenator also and, if you want to take the time, yank it out, go to an auto parts store and have it tested. Good Luck!

Z