Wet key

[Beerdead]

My son immersed the key in Lake Macquarie, resulting in it no longer functioning. A replacement electronic component from LR Au is $389, plus it needs to be ordered from the UK.

Is there a cheaper way out of this? Cant the key fob be cleaned and dried?

[simoncs]

I managed to clean mine with a cotton bud and isopropyl alcohol and then bought a new battery for it. That seemed to work

[discotwinturbo]

Immerse it in rice....fixes mobile phones often.

Brett...

[Rich84]

I had the kooky idea that these keys were meant to be waterproof to 1m, at least for D3 and RRS 1. I read it in a review for the RRS TDV8.


Here's the review -> 2008 Range Rover Sport review (TDV8) | CarAdvice (http://www.caradvice.com.au/8703/2008-land-rover-range-rover-sport-review-tdv8/)

[Aedo]

I had the kooky idea that these keys were meant to be waterproof to 1m, at least for D3 and RRS 1. I read it in a review for the RRS TDV8.


Here's the review -> 2008 Range Rover Sport review (TDV8) | CarAdvice (http://www.caradvice.com.au/8703/2008-land-rover-range-rover-sport-review-tdv8/)

Its my understanding that the D3 key is waterproof... but that feature didn't continue with the D4...

[BMKal]

Immerse it in rice....fixes mobile phones often.

Brett...

Does that work for Toyotas too Brett ................... :wasntme:

[BobD]

My 2010 D4 key seems to be waterproof for low water pressure conditions. It went through a full washing cycle in a front loader washing machine in the pocket of my work clothes last week with no ill effects at all. It didn't seem to get any water into it and even the slightly peeling rubber cover didn't get any worse.


Bob

[Beerdead]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen.

How do I open the fob? It seems too well sealed, and attempts to open it with a flat bladed screwdriver only damage the plastic.

[coolum]

Leave it under 12 volt lights for 36 hours or similar std globe with enough heat to warm the device but not too hot to melt anything and you'll dry out the item and should operate again.


I have done this more than once with a Samsung Phone .. (once should have been enough)


You can use the rice option but it takes weeks in comparison to the bake out.


Working on the premise that it got in somewhere so if water gets in then air is also able to do so .. and evaporation will do the job.


Good luck

[shining]

I have just replaced the silicone button cover on my fob as it had worn out. With a tooth pick the edge can be lifted. The edge of the silicone cover is a "U" shape so that it can provide the best seal on both sides of the surrounding hard plastic. If you damage the cover a non-standard replacement can be purchased off fleabay. A search for polymex(?) might deliver a youtube video.

[letherm]

Immerse it in rice....fixes mobile phones often.

Brett...


One thing to think about is that Lake Macquarie is salt water. You might need to open it up to check for salt residue to be on the safe side.

Martin

[SteveGunn01]

I finally managed to put my Disco 4's main key fob thru the front loader for 90 minutes a few weeks back. Then turned the house upside down looking for the 2nd key (it was in the kids' car parts lego box, phew!).

After a bit of swearing but no fob motor action in the driveway, I remembered I'd briefly seen a youtube vid from some bloke about repairing his RRS key fob after it had been soaked. Finding another vid on the subject, it took only 30 seconds to break the fob down into it's constituent parts and place them all on the floor in front of the gas heater - 1 hour later it all snapped back into place (after a tiny sweaty moment trying to work out where the little stainless springy steel bit wanted to go..), and apart from the car occasionally telling me that the key fob battery power is low, it's worked fine ever since.

I'd just advise anyone trying the key fob disassembly to go easy, and wait until you are working on an uncluttered, maybe fabric covered space - anywhere the springy bit won't accidentally bounce off, never to be seen again!

I'm surprised these things aren't waterproof, as I think earlier model fobs were, but I hope I've learnt my lesson now - never, ever do the washing again.

:bat:

[kenl]

For saltwater it will need a good rinse with fresh water to get rid of all the salt, take the battery out first. If you have stripped the key down, and you should, then the circuit board could be sprayed with electrical cleaner or metho and blown off. Then let it dry in a warm spot as recommended above, but the important thing is to get all of the salt out of there.

A new battery will be in order too I think.

[eddomak]

I'd just advise anyone trying the key fob disassembly to go easy, and wait until you are working on an uncluttered, maybe fabric covered space - anywhere the springy bit won't accidentally bounce off, never to be seen again!

Another trick when you know those things fly out is to put the whole lot in a plastic bag and disassemble it with your hands inside the bag. Large ziplock bags are good for this because the plastic is easy to see through.

[Quicky]

I managed to get dunked in the ocean when wading around some rocks whilst my keys were in my pocket. I had only just been thinking about purchasing a key locker so I could leave the keys with the vehicle, just in case of such an eventuality. Anyway the key would unlock the vehicle but not start it. Not far from home so we got the spare set and away we went. When I got home I opened the fob up, removed the battery, opened the blade key and placed in the oven at 40 degrees C for around 4 hours. Took it up to the vehicle, unlocked it, but wouldn't start and message saying smart key not found. Placed the key in the recommended position under the steering column, vehicle immediately started, from then on the vehicle recognised the key as per normal. As the keys were immersed in salt water I should have given them a good dunking in fresh water prior to carrying out the above.

[biggin]

Open the fob up again and give a spray with contact cleaner. WD40 will do too.

[theelms66]

Put the wet key in a bag of rice for a week or so . It will draw out all the moisture. Worked on my phone.