fried computer

[wlsjr]

I've got a '93 525i. Four of the contacts between the control computer and the wiring harnes plug-in module have melted down and fried the computer. I'm told I need to replace the computer and the complete harness but nobody including two dealers can tell me how long it might take to replace the harness/wiring.
Do I need to replace the complete harness or can a replacement plug be spliced on?
What might have caused the melt-down in the first place?
Two dealers and a local service shop have never encountered this problem.
Any help out there?

[lwebb12]

Depending on the damage and how far back on the wires the damage is will tell if you need a new harness or not. If you have no electrical background i wouldnt suggest doing this yourself. If you do know how to add connectors and the connector pins then if the damage is confined a few inches back of the connector you should be fine. A number of things may have caused the meltdown. Water, oil, tranny fluid, a bug, pretty much anything that can cause an electrical short. Or your computer suffered a massive short which drew too much current burning the connector.