Help! What an idiot :-(

[TimR]

Just put my car key through the washing machine!

Haven't dared try it yet, what would be anyone's opinion on what I should do now? Just dry it out? Change the battery? Take it to the dealer? Is it likely to be dead and therefore a very expensive mistake? I feel a Homer Simpson "doh!" coming on.

[luke90_vrs]

Personally I would dry it out first, place the key in a bag of rice that will draw the moisture out.

[magic62]

Take the battery out and leave it open to dry.

Wait untill it is really dry and you could clean the inside with a q tip.

Than reinsert the battery and hope everything works.

[Macdemon]

Apparently, uncooked rice is good for drying out soggy mobiles, so it should work on the Skoda keyfob.

Keep us updated, and don't worry about the senior moment.

I had one sunday, and started a thread about it. :yes:

[TimR]

Good advice, thanks! How do I get the battery out? I would look in the manual but it's in the car ..... ! And I'm not asking SWMBO where she has put the spare key.

Definitely a senior moment, came back from mountain biking, let myself in with keys, put key back in pocket, went into garage and took off muddy kit, putting it straight into washing machine! Oh well .... I'm sure there will be many more.

[magic62]

You can carefully lever the back off and than take out the battery.

[Raf_]

My fob has survived 2 washing machine incidents and falling down a full drain for an hour while I was up to my elbows in it trying to feel for it, it didn't smell nice afterwards lol

Sent from my Galaxy S2 not a Crapple!

[TimR]

Ta! Battery out, more water has now been shaken out and it's in a plastic bag full of rice. Do I seal the bag or leave it open? How long do I leave it for? Cheers!

[TimR]

That's good to hear Raf. At least mine smells of Persil!

[Llanigraham]

Leave bag slightly open and place in a warm place, like the airing cupboard, for a couple of days.

And think of a good excuse when she asks why the bag is there!!

[Deputy]

Tell her you're making Rice Krisp'keys'.......

[rockhopper]

The rice trick works with most electrical gadgets, even iPhones!

Just turn them off and leave in bag for a couple of days although I thought you were supposed to seal the bag, as the rice 'sucks' the moisture out of the air as well as your gadget, so thought it would be best to seal the bag.

[Great Yeti]

Tell her you're making Rice Krisp'keys'.......

Rice Krisp'keys' - I so did not see that coming!!!!

TimR

You can see / download the drivers manual from HERE

For instructions on opening the key fob battery compartment, see page 31.............................Hope this helps....Tony

[Lofty79]

A tiny amount of electrical contact spray would probably help, as the solder joints can be affected by this over time. Itll just protect them, not too much though as you dont want a slippery fob.

[Sandy.Rogers]

A tiny amount of electrical contact spray would probably help, as the solder joints can be affected by this over time. Itll just protect them, not too much though as you dont want a slippery fob.

And there's nothing worse than a slipper fob........

[Lofty79]

exactly, you dont wanna lose grip just as your about to push it in. Or you might drop one, then have to wash it off as itll be covered in bits

[freedie]

[Hairball]

exactly, you dont wanna lose grip just as your about to push it in. Or you might drop one, then have to wash it off as itll be covered in bits

And there goes my drink over my laptop......

[TimR]

When I Google "electric contact cleaner" WD40 comes up on the list. Is it the same thing or is ECC something more specialised? Key is now resting in rice filled bag for a few days. Had to 'fess up to SWMBO as I need the spare key to use the car and she had hidden it in one of her many handbags!

[oriki]

Just put my car key through the washing machine!

Haven't dared try it yet, what would be anyone's opinion on what I should do now? Just dry it out? Change the battery? Take it to the dealer? Is it likely to be dead and therefore a very expensive mistake? I feel a Homer Simpson "doh!" coming on.

put it in a sock ball it up and give it a go in the dryer.

[Yetiflute]

One of the best reads on here for some time. Just to spoil things a bit - have I not read somewhere that when changing batteries in a key fob you only have about a minute before the fob loses all its settings ??

[TimR]

Just to update and thank everyone - the key came out of its cosy little rice bag this morning. Blew out the dust etc with my hobby airbrush, re-inserted the battery and ......................... everything works just fine! Key still matched to the car even after a week with no battery. Huge thanks for all the advice, I would never have known to use rice!

P.S. I was much more careful when mountain biking yesterday!

[bluecar1]

glad to hear a happy end to the tail

just can't think of a rice gag to finish it off with :(

[Brijo]

...just can't think of a rice gag to finish it off with :(

Don't get in a paddy about it!

Sent from my TapiocaTalka

Edited 18 September, 2012 by brijo

[Lofty79]

were glad what you put it in could rice to the challenge