The invention discloses a fuel cell water content detection device and a control method. The fuel cell water content detection device comprises an edge light-transmitting flow field plate, a fuel cell, a parallel light source, an illuminance sensor, a control unit, an air tank, an electric control switch valve, a regulating valve and an automatic flow meter. The edge of a flow field plate of the fuel cell is transparent through glass and adhesive, and the glass corresponds to a runner of the fuel cell, wherein the parallel light source penetrates through the fuel cell edge light-transmitting flow field plate, and emitted light signals are received by the illuminance sensor. The control unit receives signals sent by the illuminance sensor and the automatic flow meter, the air tank is connected with the electric control switch valve, the regulating valve, the automatic flow meter and the fuel cell, and the control unit regulates the electric control switch valve and the regulating valveto purge the fuel cell according to voltage signals of the illuminance sensor, the automatic flow meter and the fuel cell. The method for detecting and controlling the water content of the fuel cell can accurately meet the purging requirement of the cell in the running process of an automobile according to the water content.