Jeff;

There are TWO ways the AMP light can come on: 1. Charging system failure and
2. Fuse 1 * open.

It sounds to me like from the symptoms that you have the (easier of the two) condition 2.

AMP light coming on full and the Fuse 1 loads (wipers, fuel guage, blinkers blower, oil pressure indicator) going away, suggests blown fuse OR *open associated connections. If it happens again, stop immediately, try spinning Fuse 1 as passenger (if present) watches light...if that fixes it, time to read about (and use) anti-corrosive paste at: http://www.intelab.com/swem/anti_corrosive_paste.htm

...if not, but jiggling F1 connections fixes it, time to read about Gas-tight-joints at: http://www.intelab.com/swem/gastight.htm

Cheers