I would bet good money that it is the alternator. I had one die EXACTLY like that. All the weird stuff. Parked it for a while and then it was ok.
Erik


95 LX/SE V6 5 Speed NUN 1 http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/588083 "The Contour SE is the best American car I have ever driven and one of the best cars period." Larry Griffin - C&D