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I just recently fixed a year long problem with dash warning lights, so I've done a lot of searching on this site, other sites, and the service manual. The problem you describe sounds like the alternator, with the telltale symptom of the battery warning light on. As the alternator starts to fail, the system voltage drops and causes all sorts of wierdness with the warning circuits, whose relays depend on good voltage or good ground from the L connector of the alternator. This extends to the A/C circuit as well. Put a voltage meter on the battery or take the car to Autozone to have the system tested. The battery voltage should be in the 12-14v range with the car running, blower on, and lights on. If it is the alternator, check your power steering hoses around the power steering pump, because a hose leaking in that area will drip on the alternator and cause it to fail. I've read of many who have replaced their failed alternator and then had it go again w/in a year because of this. If the voltage tests out ok, you have 2 choices. It still could be an alternator problem, because the L connection/circuit is used on some of the warning light relays as a ground when the engine is not running, and 12v when the engine is. This is what turns the warning light relays off when the motor starts (12v on both sides of the coil) and if they stay on it will backfeed voltage into circuits the wrong way and cause problems. The other option would be a bad relay on one of those circuitss My issue was the bulb check relay, which lights the brake, LIGHTS, and HICAS warning bulbs in the dash when the key is turned on. This was sticking on (lights on while engine running) and it caused the A/C not to work and some of the engine control circuits to not work. You could also have a wiring problem, but based on the way it failed I would not think that was the case. Usually wires starting to fail cause intermittent problems.
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