Sula

I sent my key through the wash (permanent press cycle). It's now drying out.

Can it be made to function properly again? What's the best way to proceed?

jhbrennan

I'm assuming since you posted the question, it has stopped working? How are you drying - some suggest putting key in a container of rice which acts as a desiccant.

Sula

Yes - I microwaved some rice in a bowl, then submerged the key in the warm rice. I'll let it sit there for a couple of hours.

I haven't tried the key yet.

inverterman

First thing to do is get the battery out of it. Dry in the rice with the cover off.

Sula

Thanks - good advice. I opened the key with a small knife and was able to dry it thoroughly.

I replaced the battery with a new one (size = 2032, a very common one that I had on hand) and tried the key. It works just as it should.

One note: Closing the key (and getting it to properly snap shut) will be easier if you first mount the tiny circuit board on the cover piece that has the buttons, not the one that includes the metal part of the key.

Chris(MA)

Check out rich rebuilds video on YouTube he's attempting to revive some flooded electric boards. He has scrubbed with DI water then ultrasonic clean in more DI. He's going to post an update soon on if it works or not.

su8pack1

Moving air is best, open it up and use a fan or hair dryer, Don't get it hot, the moving air is what works.

shft22

It may be working after replacing the battery, but you want to remove as much humidity off the components as you can. You can, after removing the battery, pour rubbing alcohol on the components, then dry it with a hair dryer. After sumerge the components on a jar with rice, leave it there overnight. After all this you should be good to go.

NuttyProfessor

You were smart to not try the remote while it was wet. Doing so would have toasted the keyfob. I speak from experience on that one. Great it worked out!

Sula

And thanks to all who supplied advice. I'm a bit surprised I got away with this piece of stupidity.

On the bright side, my key is now clean - and wrinkle-free.

Dharn55

I washed my FOB not too long ago. Dried it out and cleaned it with electronics cleaner. It works OK but the battery goes dead in about 1 week so there must be a drain on the FOB.

gbgastowers

808Bill

What's used to replace the rubber seal on the key fob. My PO had pinched it and it's fubared! Is it just a thin O-ring?

NuttyProfessor

Yep! parasitic power drain... sucks don't it? (no pun intended) Especially, when you're about to take the car out, you have to replace the keyfob battery. Ugh.

SubzeroX

i dropped my 996 key into a pool and used the net to get it out. was in there for about a minute. Dried it off and worked just fine; no rice etc