I drive a 1992 240 automatic with 174,000 miles. It's in perfect shape and has never given my family any problems. Recently, however, it has done something weird. On Sunday night, I got in, turned the ignition, and it made a funny clicking (sounded like a bad starter for a second) noise, then a pop, and so I backed off. When I tried again a moment later, it started right up. My radio, however, wouldn't work; I got the "Code" sign on the LCD.
This afternoon, I went to start it and it did the same thing. When I went to turn the key again, this time nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. The starter didn't even spin. The radio wouldn't come on, no dash lights, nothing. Up above me, the dome light glowed weakly. I turned on the 4-ways to see if they would work, and I heard a very pronounced buzzing noise coming from behind the switchboard. All fuses were intact, and when I lifted the hood, the battery cables were correctly attached. This is, by the way, a 2-month-old battery.
I shut the hood, got in, shut the door, and the car started right up. Does anybody have any idea what's going on? I'd be grateful for any assistance. My priest is booked for exorcisms until January.

It sounds like you have a bad connection either at the battery cable terminals (corosion) or internal battery problems. Take the cables off and make sure there is shinny metal on both terminals and battery posts. If the cables seem swollen then replace them. If all checks-out, take the battery back to where you bougt it to be tested. Lots of luck.
,Rick

This is exactly right. Check both ends of both battery cables. The battery end is usually the source of the problems due to chemical corrosion of the clamps. Also sometimes the battery clamp bolts get very stiff or deformed, and do not provide good clamping force on the terminals no matter how much you tighten them. Replace the bolts if this is the case.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 88 744GLE, 91 244: 805K total