Couple things.. I forgot to mention that I did NOT open the hood to spray down the motor.. just sprayed from outside up into the wheel wells and such.. and upon replacing the battery.. the Heater/AC did work again..
That said, I did hit quite a few rather large mud puddles..
Now thinking back to when the vehicle was first purchased.. it did start way weaker than now after the new battery..
Mechanic (and hes one of these local gas station boys) put the ODBII on the vehicle and removed the Check engine light.. but says there is not much voltage .. I think he said around 12 or so..
Thanks guys!