Hi all, here is my problem:
I went to start the truck, and all lights went out.
I checked all fuses, all are OK.
When I turn the ignition key to accesories everything lights up as
normal. Turn the headlights on, very bright, wiper works, fan blower
works, all electrical stuff work fine. If I try to crank, it seems
all power goes out and stay that way until I disconnect the battery.
Once I connect it again, all power is restored. And the cycle repeats.
Again, battery is in very good condition, I hear the relays tick just
as usual when about to start, all lights come on in the dashboard.
But when I crank all power goes out. Engine doesn't even turn over.
This happened 10 minutes after I had shut it off, and tried to
restart.
Please help!!!

My shadetree guess would be the bendix is out. I think replacing the starter would solve the poblem. Try tapping (tap not a wack) the starter with a hammer while someone tries to start it. If that works, the starter went south on ya.

OR solenoid.  Classic symptoms here.

Replace the starter, I don't think with these new units its worth just replacing the solenoid.

Clean the battery terminals, and the cables,
check all other conections, both Pos and Neg.
This behavior is classic bad conection.

Replace cables if too corroded, and to clean
the cables and conections, you have to take
apart all conections, make em tight and bright,
the lead in the cable ends and the battery posts
might look ok, but they are probably oxidized
and don't conduct the juice very well.

Clean em till they shine, and it should start.

I agree with Wild. If you have any oil leaks be sure to check the connection at the starter too.

If your daylight running lights go out when starting to start, thats normal.  If your headlights go out then it's a short in the starter.  

Starter short, naw, wrong symptoms, yes the lights
will dim or go out, but they will come back on when
the key is released from the start position.

What is happening here is the lights work, then
tries to start, and the lights all go out, and stay
out until the Bat cable is taken off and put back
on.  What's happening here is a small spot on
the cable or Bat post, or both is making contact,
and enough to work the lights and radio etc.

When the starter is engaged the small spot is
like a small wire trying to move 400 Amps, well
that don't work, it gets hot and burns out, which
is oxidation, an insulator, until the cable is pulled
off and put back on, then the cycle continues.

Now if you clean the contact areas, it will move
the high Amps needed to run the starter, and not
burn the contact area.

Hope this is clear and helps you understand what
is happening. These kinds of problems are strange,
and until you know why it's doing what it is, you will
|removethispart|@&#*!$  the car and go crazy trying to figure it out.

Good Luck,
Darrin

Thanks for the replies.
The battery connections are fine and clean, the headlights are as bright as they have ever been, including the high beams. Sometimes, after I remove the battery connection the dim lights persist!! (as if there is a big short somewhere).
When I try to crank, some relays go crazy by the kick panel.

What happens if you push start it? Does it run then?

Mike

OK, I changed my mind, Your Zuke is possesed.

It could still be a bad connection at the starter of a bad wire. Did you check for oil/dirt etc on the starter connections? If that's not it try the "cuss realy loud" thechnique.
1- Try to start it
2- when the short causes the power loss
  a- beat hands and head on steering wheel
  b- stomp feet on floorboard
  c- say "&%#^^^, *&%$&,#$^&%$, start &%^$%"
3- try it again
It's never worked for me, but usualy makes me feel better
Zig

Unfortunately I am 300 miles away, and cannot check anything. As soon as I get back home I will check the solenoid connections (I now the truck leaks some oil), and try to push start it, if it starts, then I will concentrate on the starter.
How do I bench test the starter if I remove it?
Thanks again for the offered help.

You can pull the starter and take it to autozone or advance and they will check it for you for free.  I dont know many other ways to bench test it.

Good Luck!

Well, I started the truck by pushing it, and it went like a champ. I took a 50 mile drive with no problems. I shut it off, and just heard the click, no engine turning over. Push started it again.
That tells me it is the starter, thanks for all your help and suggestions.

Have you tried this fix?

www.off-road.com/suzuki/samurai/starterfix.htm