engine won't start after rain

[wangi]

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

[boschmann]

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

[frankengolf]

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!

[theVoid]

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

[92 Golf 1.8 gas]

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.