Blowing computers

[lcharliew]

I have a 2002 Protg with a 2.0. Blew a computer September 1st, blew another November 18th and another February 2nd.
Second one was under warranty, this one should be to but need to know why I keep blowing computers. Don't drive this car much but need to keep it running.
Any ideas or anyone experience anything like this?

 

[lcharliew]

Don't recall the first computer blowing but I know that on the second and third ones that it was a rainy day. Could this be a factor?

 

[lcharliew]

Blew another computer April 20th. That's the last straw. Only 126,000 miles on it, going to the salvage yard

 

[concept]

My first guess is that there is an unprotected short that is causing your ECU to fail. Before junking your car, you might want to take it to a good Auto-Electric shop. Their specialty is tough-to-find electrical gremlins. Dealerships often send over vehicles that they themselves cannot fix.

I've used Auto-Electric shops a few times over the years and each one found the problem within a few hours.

 

[lcharliew]

After 8 months and 4 ECM's it was finally diagnosed. There is a drain from the sunroof to the passenger side quarter panel. If that drain gets plugged near the bottom then water can get into the ECM and kill it.
I wish I'd learned this before I gave up and sold it for scrap. Interior was in perfect condition and exterior was real good for it's age

 

[Hound]

Yikes that would be a pain in the butt to learn after the fact. Thanks for the insight and a possible place to look on this car I'm about to pick up. Don't think it had a sunroof but never hurts to check.