[82Ltype]

I was driving the other day for maybe an 11/2 and while stopped at a red light all the Idiot lights in the dash flashed off and on like 3 times. I noticed this and figured it was a bad sign but nothing happened and everything seemed to be working. Then I parked the car. When I went back out to start it after like 5 min. I got nothing. At the most some very quiet clicking. I let the car sit for like 20 min and then was about to jump it when I decided to try to start it one more time. Suprise, this time it started up with a roar! And it has started fine all the times I've driven it since then (although for less that 1/2 hour per time). WTF? I don't need this to happen again. I got some advice that it was the distributor ignighter. Does this sound right?
any answers please! thanks, Brian

 

[MK2Racer]

Sounds like an alternator, take it to a local Autozone they'll test it for free, at least you can know for sure and rule it out at the very least.

 

[Flyin' Hawaiian]

It is not a distributor ignitor! If it were, you'd still get the motor to turn over, just not start!
I'd be willing to bet the battery terminals are really dirty/corroded, or possibly even loose. That would explain the lights flickering at a stoplight. Enough engine vibration to get the cables to sort of disconnect from the battery.
Try cleaning the battery terminals and the connectors with a wire brush and some cleaner. If that doesn't do it, then move on to the alternator. Usually if it is the alternator, the brake and charge lights will come on together when there's a problem with the alternator brushes (a $5.00 part to replace), or the voltage regulator (a $15.00 part to replace).
Good luck!