From: mfj1952deletethis@cox.net   
      
   >> Your description points straight at a bad batttery connection.   
   >>   
   >> Particularly th "key on, no lights on the dash" ans "a few minutes   
   >> later, power again".   
   >>   
   >> Either a bad battery connection or a bad ground - 99.999%.   
   >>   
   >> Changing the battery could have repaired the bad battery connection.   
   >   
   > I did notice some corrosion on the terminals, but I cleaned them before   
   > installing the new battery.  I checked the battery ground and could only   
   > find one Engine ground located in the middle of the firewall connected to   
   > the top of intake plenum.  I was wondering if there were any other grounding   
   > points on the engine that I missed.   
   >   
   > The truck is running ok for now. I'm just worried it will stop again, once   
   > the battery is low.  When I have time I'll remove the alternator to have it   
   > checked out at the local parts store.   
   >   
   >   
      
   A simple method of checking the output of the alternator is looking at   
   the brightness of your headlights with the motor running.  After using   
   the "lights on, engine running" for a visual baseline (of headlight   
   brightness), turn the key off so the ignition is still on, yet the   
   engine shuts off.  The lights should visibly dim.  With the lights still   
   on, try starting the engine.  The lights should go dimmer then come up   
   to full brightness.  If during the engine start the lights go completely   
   out, that indicates poor/intermittent continuity from the power source.   
     As stated before, grounds are notorious for corrosion at points of   
   contact when dissimilar metals are involved.   
   Another problem I experienced years ago was on a Ford van where an   
   internal contact point between cells on the battery was bad and would   
   open up at the most inopportune times.  I had the battery Cap-Checked   
   and was rated good by the people that tested it.  That was also a   
   situation where I tried to start and everything would go dead, including   
   all accessories and lights.  I could let it set there for ten minutes   
   sometimes and it would start as if there never was a problem.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)