I have a 1992 240 with 199,600 miles (just replaced the alternator for the first time!) Recently, it has begun behaving strangely in the mornings when I start it up before work. It'll run fine for a minute or two before it starts to idle back down. It's always done that, but now it keeps idling down, all the way down. If I don't sit there goosing the gas, it cuts off. The problem persists 2-3 miles into my drive to work. Then it's fine for the rest of the day.
This morning, it cut out on me at a stop light. Immediately after I restarted it, it was fine again--smooth idle, no problems. Do you think this could be something like the voltage regulator? The more electrical accessories I have running (the turn signal seems to make it worse, along with the fan blower), the worse the I'm-Gonna-Stall Dance gets.
Also, it sounds like I have rocks rolling around in the trunk when I'm driving over a bad road. There is nothing in my trunk, and the spare/jack are tied down so tightly, they don't budge an inch. It's fine on the interstate--no funny rolling-rock noises--and handles as well as ever. I looked in the maintenance book my dad kept on it, which I have continued, and noticed that the rear shocks were replaced at 122,000 miles. I'm assuming this problem is the old shocks, but if anybody has any suggestions as to what I should check when I get under it this weekend, I'm all ears. Thanks!

Get your tires balanced and rotated, if needed.

Check the air pressure in the tires too. It can make a big difference for how much road noise can get in the car.

If your car was a 245 (wagon) I would tell you to tighten up the bolts on the tail gate. But since you said you have a trunk, I'm going to assume you have a 244 (sedan). In that case, I'm afraid I can't give you much more help.
--
If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'

Thanks...turns out it's the strut bearings up front. So why this sounded like rocks in the trunk beats me. 'Preciate the advice!

-UNCJD2003

the idle sounds like the idle motor is going away, the throttle body is sludged or the throttle sw is not adjusted or working. good luck, chuck.