Clicking, whirring, then dead...

[TaylorWolf]

I just completed my first extended trip with my newly acquired 83 240D...and now that I'm home, it won't start. On the last day two days of driving, I started to hear a clicking noise as I accelerated. It was loudest in the lower gears, and almost non-existent when I was coasting on the highway. My radio started flickering in and out, then stopped working completely. Also, the windshield wipers and automatic windows were both sluggish. When I tried starting it the day after arriving, the engine would whirr ever so slightly, but not start. Now, nothing happens when I turn the key.

Any ideas? This is my first Mercedes, and I'd like to start getting to know its interworkings rather than just bringing it to a mechanic.

Thanks,
Taylor

[Diesel911]

Is your Alternator Charging; dead Battery?

Battery Ground or other Cables?

[tyl604]

Alternator

[ROLLGUY]

X2 - check all the above. Your alternator/ charge light might be burned out, and you would not know that the battery is not charging.

[Codifex Maximus]

Yeah, battery does sound pretty dead. Put a long overnight trickle charge on it and see if she responds in the morning.

If she does then take a multimeter and put it on DCVolts check across the battery - should get 12.5 - 13VDC nominal. Also, check for any AC voltage component across the battery terminals.

Check your alternator light bulb as already suggested and make sure it's not burned out.