need advice on strange electrical problem in Jeep

[comPuTer]

List,

I realize this is off-topic, but I know there is a lot of expertise monitoring this list so I am going to post this.

I am looking for someone that may be able to shed some light on a strange electrical problem that is occurring on a friend's 97 Jeep Cherokee. If I remember correctly, some of you are experienced veteran Chrysler mechanics, so I am appealing to you for help.

Here are the symptoms.... He can be driving and the vehicle will "burp" (as he described it) and lose all electrical power for just a second or two. The check engine light briefly comes on, all gauges briefly drop and anything electrical stops. Then power will be restored. There have been times when the phenomena occurs multiple times, one after the other. Other times, it is just once during a drive.

Also, there are times when the vehicle completely dies, i.e. loses engine power. He can restart it usually after a few tries.

He has had several mechanics look at it and they can't identify the cause. One mechanic even drove with him while the diagnostic tool was connected to the onboard computer. The phenomena occurred many times during their drive. Each time the device attempted to retrieve the error codes, the system cleared itself before any code could be retrieved!

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated!

[MX-5]

I would look at the power and ground connections, ASD relay circuit, and ignition switch contacts.