HELP? Key fob went through washer!

i would open it up, run the hair dryer over it until it's completely dry and check the battery voltage. good luck!

 

I have heard that you are *NOT* supposed to use a hair dryer, at least that goes for cell phones. I have heard to put it in a bag of dry rice since the rice will soak it up. I hear the keys can be pretty pricey..good luck

 

I have had a number of cell phones, MP3 players, etc, get wet here on warm tropical Guam (I spend as much time as I can – not enough, but as much as I can – fishing, sailing and diving). The following has worked more often than not. It also worked once for my son’s MP3 player which had gone (ta-daaa!) through the washer AND dryer. First you want to remove any contaminants like salt water and laundry soap.

Cleaning the Circuit Board

·[FONT=&quot] 1 Hold the circuit board by the edge at one side and take it over to the kitchen sink. Turn on the cold water. Hold the circuit board under the running water for two or three minutes.[/FONT]
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·[FONT=&quot] 2 Turn off the cold water. Hold the circuit board over the sink until there is no more dripping water coming from off of it. Take the circuit board back to the table.[/FONT]
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·[FONT=&quot] 3 Dip the toothbrush into the alcohol-based cleaning liquid that is in the shallow glass dish. Hold the toothbrush over the shallow glass dish until the dripping stops. Gently brush the bristles of the toothbrush against the exposed electronic components of the circuit board for one or two minutes.[/FONT]
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·[FONT=&quot] 4 Prop the circuit board up against the water glass. Let the circuit board dry for at least two days.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]I got this process from (and promptly bookmarked) [/FONT]
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Read more: How to Fix iPod Circuit Boards | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5841222_fix-ipod-circuit-boards.html#ixzz14m3Gnao5[/FONT]

 

It's probably too late but you should always used deionized (distilled) water to rinse electronic components. After that using an electronic component cleaner such as that found at Radio Shack or Fry's Electronics is best to use. Gold contacts are best cleaned with a new eraser.

It's best to put in a new battery after cleaning the contacts as the washer water likely discharged it significantly.

It should work after that since there is no harm wetting these circuits.

Please let us know the outcome.

 

Someone at work dropped her iPhone into the kitchen sink. She was advised to put it in a box of white uncooked rice for 2 days(remove the battery 1st).

That procedure seemed to work.

Apparently, rice draws the moisture from the wet electronic device.

 

Put in a new battery and give it a try.

 

The plastic case can be opened by spreading a needle nose pliers in the slot where the mechanical key goes. The case is stronger than the glue (at least mine was...). Once you've opened it enough to fit a dull blade in the crack, just work it all the way around the case. The circuit board is jam fit into the case, and maybe a little glue as well. It can be pried out without damaging anything. There is also the transponder (a 1/8" x 1/2" chip with no leads) in the case. The transponder is the active part that works in the keyslot.

Once you've got to circuit board out, clean it as has already been mentioned here. Distilled water, and maybe some circuit board cleaner should do it. Put it all back together with a weak glue (not contact cement or epoxy!). Use a new battery.

If all this doesn't work, you're no worse off than you started. You might want to remove the transponder and use it as a stealth keyfob. Just insert it into the keyslot (press it all the way). Press the Power button with your other hand. You can remove the transponder until the next time you start the car. To turn the car off, press the Power button, and press the keyslot again to release it.

 

yes, the circuit board is the green thing under the battery.

 

Any update?

 

Been there;done that about a year ago. Also went thru dryer. It worked fine, but dried out the inside anyway. The rice method sounds the best.

 

Feedback, Jeffrey! Inquiring minds want to know -- did it work?