Yesterday, I was out running errands for my parents. This included going to Burger King to pick up dinner for my brother. It was pouring out. It all started with the drivers window hesitating to go up. Then, As I was pulling into the BK lot, I went very slow in order to avoid a large puddle, because I just discovered the dreaded rear passenger wheel well rust through. basically, I can put my hand into the trunk form outside. Anyway, I got to the menu and ordered. At this point, the battery gauge started going up and down. Then, the engine idle went down to about 500 revs, and started surging between there and up to 800 and down to ike 300. As I went to pull forward, it wouldnt respond to the gas pedal. I was able to make it to the window, there the car shook pretty well and then the engine died. It would not restart. I had to have the workers push me aside because I was blocking the window. I called my dad who then came and called a tow truck. The car just would not start. All the electonics were working, except the driver window which wouldnt move. As the hood was open I saw the engine shake violently as I tried to turn it over. It would start for about 5-10 seconds at which it would violently shake and not go above 500rpm. The shop had a look this morning, and reported that everything was working fine for them. So, my question... What the hell happened?

99 SE, 148304mi. Quarter Tank.

Sounds like a wet coil kinda... so it wasnt running on all cylenders. it prolly dried out, which is why it worked at the shop

And I should Mention that I left a large puddle of something in my grandmothers driveway about 2 hours before this. But she called me and i checked the fluids before this happened and they all seemed fine.

If all the fluids check out, I would suspect condensation from the A/C. I also agree on the wet coil or ICM.

Easy way to find out... Lift the hood, start it up and give it a bath.

provided your wires arent bad, if you take your coils off the icm and put a bunch of dielectric grease on everything that will stop water cutting you out for the most part. thats what i used to do for my jeep and i never had that cut out when i was in several feet of water

Sounds like your belt is slipping and the alt wasn't keeping up. Lose of voltage results in bad spark.

Got it back yesterday. The verdict: a new battery, belt, and alt. They don't think that caused whatever happened, but considering the battery was probably 9 years old, it was time anyway.

That would do it. A dead battery, and a dying alternator from trying to recharge said battery, will take the spark out of any Bonneville-driver relationship.

I can't speak for the belt needing to be replaced, but hopefully the belt change didn't set you back too far.

SO, It just happened again. This time, I was leaving work. My boss came out and saw me stalled in front of my work, and, after laughing at me, pushed me back into a parking spot. Same symptoms as last time. Engine starts, runs for 5 seconds while sputtering and dying. It is still there, we haven't had it towed yet. Any ideas?