engine won't start after rain

hi there !

I have a golf 3 (1990) and every time it rained the car will start and after 15-20 sec of idle, it will just shutdown. If i restart it will with no problem and will shut down 15-20 sec later. i can do this for like 10 to 12 time before the car idle properly. Does someone aver had this kind of problem, i have changed my wire, sparks, coil ...

Also, everytime I go through a puddle of water with right front wheele, the car will start loosing the idle and finaly it will shut down. and i have to wait for couple munite before i can start again.

Any help will really be appreciated

There are lots of people who have posted the same symptoms as you, it's usually the ignition coil.

Definitely the ignition coil. I just had this problem with my '97 Golf. Check for cracks in the black plastic. Sometimes cracks are in back where you can't see until you remove coil.

I found one on ebay, new in box for around $70.

Good luck!

I've had this problem as long as I can remember as well. Finally I changed the 'coil' and that helped but it stills has trouble in wet or damp weather taking a few tries to start. I'm not convinced the real problem is that the engine area (wires etc.) gets excessively wet/damp esp. after strong rain or humid weather . . . I don't think it's normal that a car should get so wet like this !

Good luck

I'm having the EXACT same problem! I just hit a puddle in the pouring rain last night and yup, the engine let go on me. I'm pulling my hair over this. Here goes:
I've changed my: Ignition coil, full tune up(wires, cap, rotor, spark plugs, air filter last year) Control unit, Cooling temp sensor. I even went as far as changing the alternator, but that was another problem in itself.
Now i'm shooting out black smoke everytime i start the car and doesn't idle right ever since last night. I have spoken with more then 2 mechanics who tell me it's either my Mass Air Flow, or my Oxygen Sensor, or my timing belt skipped a notch.
This has been persistent and i'm spending lots of dough at the same time for nothing thinking the problem is solved. I love my golf and i don't want it to end with something like a compression problem. Can someone please guide me in the right direction to go about solving this problem.
Thanx a mil.