Thread: Wet key

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.

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.

Originally Posted by SteveGunn01

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.

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.

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