Junkman 6394226

I'll try to keep it as short and detailed as possible, no drawn-out story telling. But my ride has some major issues.

ROUND 1: Went to get into my 8 to get back a game from an ex. Opened my car with the key (all I have), the interior lights flashed then turned off. Tried the lights, radio, and ignition - nothing worked. Peeked under the hood, everything looked alright, but I jostled the one of the battery connections and the interior lights came on. Played with it some more and figured it wouldn't come off, so I closed the hood started the car and went on may way, figuring I'd fix that tomorrow.

NOTES: Car had rough idle, slower-than-usual acceleration, and sluggish revs. Also was a bit rough during cruising. Is this usual for just a battery disconnection (fuel trims)? Not sure how certain factory flashes changed that. The Penny in my connector fell off somewhere.

ROUND 2: ON the way back I took the long way around, driving on a mile or so of 1604 to see how my car did at higher speeds. Set a radio preset since the battery disconnect wiped them all. Accelerated slowly up to 60 MPH in 5th gear behind a Cadillac. As soon as I turn towards the off ramp I noticed my Oil Pressure gauge falling to L like a dead bird. The Battery, Check Engine, and Low Coolant lights came on also. I immediately depressed the clutch, put the tranny in neutral and coasted to a deserted parking lot about 300 feet away. I turned the key to OFF before I came to a stop to avoid any potential damage.

NOTES: Car was cruising while this happened, not changing gears or revving. I DON'T REMEMBER IF THE ENGINE WAS STILL ON OR OFF til the time I parked. All I could think was "Oh ****, my Oil Pressure!" Interior Lights stayed on (gauges and radio). The engine probably did die, but regardless, what the hell cause it?

ROUND 3: Turned the key to ON, saw that my coolant was at a normal temperature still, so I risked another startup. Car started, rough idle, no warning lights. Car died, same lights as before turned on, Battery, CEL, Coolant. Got out, nothing leaking under the car. Tried again, kept on the throttle and moved the car around the parking lot. It was doing alright until I had to brake to let a truck pass by. When I took my foot off the gas the car died again. Started it again, keeping the revs to about 1,500. I decided to make a run for my house (1/2 mile away) so I out my hazard lights on (there was almost no one around) and went for it. I made it safely.

NOTES: I parked the car in my driveway (upwards incline) and it idled PERFECTLY!!! Stayed at 800 rpms for about 2 minutes without any drama. I revved it a bit, still a bit sluggish, but the rpms fell down to 800 again perfectly. Shut it off and investigated. Nothing leaking under the car, and the battery connection was still loose, but not excessively slow. Never lost my Radio Preset. What fe thuck?

CONCLUSION: I've decided not to drive it again until I can properly tighten the battery connection (and find a penny).
1. I would guess that the battery connection did cause the sluggishness (fuel trims).
2. I would also guess that a temporary disconnection caused a protocol in the PCM to go off and it shut of my engine during cruising.
3. The extremely rough idle probably also cause a split second disconnection, causing it to die in the parking lot.
4. Somehow, the incline of my driveway has settled the the connector onto the battery terminal so it won't excessively vibrate during idle.

Are my guesses correct? Am I missing something here? Or have the Rotary Gods just decided to smack me in the face? ANY help would be greatly appreciated!