I let the electronic key fob to my Prius in my coat pocket and it went through the wash. Now the clicker feature doesn't work, although I can open the car doors with the metal key that slips out of the electronic key, and I can start the car if I put the electronic key in the slot on the dashboard. So, how do I get the clicker part working again? Does it need new batteries, or do I need to buy a whole new electronic key (I hope not). And if I decide to just use it as is, unlocking the door with the metal key and starting the car by putting the electronic key in the slot, is that OK? It seems like I'd be able to do everything except click the door locked and unlocked from a distance. Thanks. Jeff Lindholm
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="] 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] [FONT="] [/FONT] ·[FONT="] 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] [FONT="] [/FONT] ·[FONT="] 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] [FONT="] [/FONT] ·[FONT="] 4 Prop the circuit board up against the water glass. Let the circuit board dry for at least two days.[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="]I got this process from (and promptly bookmarked) [/FONT] [FONT="] 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.
So where is the circuit board? This key fob is from a 2006 Prius Here's what I see. There's the back cover with the silver raised Toyota logo. Then there the main part, with a plastic plate that's held on with four screws, and under that, there's a round battery with a plastic ring around it. Under the battery is a kind of cross shaped metal thing that I guess is the battery connectors. That's hooked onto a round plastic green thing about one-half inch across? Is that what you're talking about, it's really set into the battery compartment. Other than that, the other half of the main part is a square black area about the size of a memory chip for a camera, with some very tiny white writing on it, so tiny I can't read it, but that section looks like it's a molded in part of the body of the thing. So, which is circuit board?
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.
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.
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.
Have torn it apart and cleaned/dried it, but haven't been able to get into town and get a new battery (I work at home doing freelance work and I'm on a deadline, so working through the weekend. Will try to get a battery early next week and will let you know. I appreciate the help, but haven't been able to finish the job. Thanks, all.
