An increase in pressure drop, particularly on the cathode side of PEM fuel cell, is a reliable indicator of PEM fuel cell flooding, while an increase in cell resistance is a reliable indicator of fuel cell drying. By monitoring both pressure drop and cell resistance in an operational fuel cell stack it was possible to diagnose either flooding or drying conditions inside the stack. These parameters may be used for making decisions on corrective actions. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.