e30 not starting, think maybe computer?

[jcerecke 2]

So I loaned my car to a mate who was driving it around in the rain and it just died on him. Cranks over but doesn't start. If you leave it a couple minutes it cranks over starts for maybe a second then dies. Sometimes it idles for a couple seconds down near like 3-400RPM then dies. Throttle does nothing to bring RPM up during these fleeting moments.

Talked to Pete at Eurorec and when I mentioned the water he pointed me to the computer which I pulled out and held on it's side to see a whole lot of water run out of it...........

I opened it up and while it doesn't look all that corroded, it's definitely started. Haha as a side note, I wondered what would happen if I tried to start the car with the computer unplugged and it ran for longer/better than it did with it plugged in but still died after a few seconds. L-Jetronic computer by the way.

So really just looking for advice, I'm guessing it's not going to be repairable if it's water damage. Where should I go for a replacement computer and is it worth upgrading to Motronic?

[hotwire 352]

Had the same with my race car when the windscreen leaked.

Dry it out completely (covers off) in hot water cupboard or similar & you may get out of jail with it.

Hardly worth converting to Motronic - quite an effort for any little gain.

[jcerecke 2]

Ok, I might resolder some of the more corroded bits too and see how it goes. Cheers.

[jcerecke 2]

Ok, I might resolder some of the more corroded bits too and see how it goes. Cheers.

Ok gave the corroded parts a gentle clean, and resoldered a bunch of points. Chucked it back in the car just dangling and it started up and ran fine for quite a while. Then somehow touched the key and the computer with each hand and got a shock?! Screwing the computer back into place (therefore earthing it) makes the car fail to start, but separated again and it starts and runs fine. Might've soldered two pads together that I wasn't supposed to??? I've double checked it all but can't see where I went wrong. I think I might need a replacement from you hotwire? Is there anything I could possibly check voltage wise with the wiring?