So, one of my "keys" for the C4 was in the pocket of my husband's jeans and went through the wash tonight. We haven't tried it to see if it works yet, worried that if we do we might short it out or something. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Open the fob per the instructions for changing the battery in the manual. Remove the battery and the circuit board and let them air dry overnight! Maybe have a fan blow on them. Reassemble tomorrow and cross your fingers! Good luck!
This happened to me once before. While it may seem like a big problem at first, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your new fuel-sipping Prius C is not damaged. 1. Acquire a soft, absorbent (preferably 100 percent cotton) piece of fabric. 2. Take the key and gently rub it against the fabric so that the moisture from the key is transferred to the fabric. Do this for several minutes until the key is dry. 3. Acquire a blow dryer. 4. Take the blow dryer and aim it at the key. Turn the blow dryer on the "cool" setting so as to not melt the key. 5. Shuffle the key in your hand as the air from the blow dryer hits it in order to make sure all moisture evaporates. Make sure not to miss any crevices in the key. This is where dew loves to hide. That's about it. You should be all set at this point. Feel free to insert your key in the Prius C ignition. Good luck, and make sure to report back on how it went.
Thanks for the responses. Just to be clear, this is the keyless fob (is that the correct term?) that got wet. Is your advice still the same?
More info...my husband just told me that the key also went through about twenty minutes of a high heat dryer!
Just opened my fob and the electronics are protected by a rubber type cover, so it should be fine. Take it apart anyway just to be sure that it's dry, heat probably hasn't hurt it unless the outside is melted!
Still shouldn't change the recommendations on drying overnight with the battery removed. You want to make sure you don't go near the car until you are sure it has dried completely, because the fob electronics will engage when it gets close enough to the car. Since you should have another fob available, I'd just use that one for a e couple of days until the other one dries out. You may want to reinstall the battery with the cover off just in case having the battery out "de-programs" the fob. I don't think this will happen, so I am just being cautious with my advice. iPad
Agreed, what dealers charge for a replacement fob will give you a heart attack! let it sit and air just to be safe!
Sure, the fob doesn't need power to retain its programming. Lay out the parts in a safe area away from pets and kids for the night.
I've worked in the electronics industry for years (where, among many other things, I repaired circuit boards). The goal is not just to dry the electronics, but dry them "quickly". Simply taking it apart and leaving it out doesn't dry it completely unless you leave it for a week or so (and will lead to corrosion in the process). The rubber people are seeing is the switch membrane, it does not protect the electronics. 1) Take the key-fob apart, remove battery 2) Place entire disassembled key-fob into a container with a lid, cover with fresh, dry rice 3) Put lit on container, let sit 24 hours 4) Reassemble The rice will absorb any liquid or gaseous water that is in the electronics/buttons. This is how the professionals do it.
Edited to add - Sorry - didn't see the earlier post by N1XRR re: rice. Don't know if this is applicable. One trick that people use to dry out cell phones that get dunked - usually in toilets:embarassed: - is to stick the phone in a bottle or container and fill the container up with raw, uncooked rice. Claim is that the rice draws out and absorbs the moisture. Don't eat the rice afterward.... I think it's recommended to remove the battery. Saving a Wet Cell Phone with Rice: Does it Work? - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff YMMV
Dealers charge $350 for the fob, another hundred to program it, but it varies depending on the dealer. Some will really try to ream you and others cut you some slack for customer relations.
