MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

mooo · #1 02-03-2008, 07:29 PM

I dropped my key in the bucket while washing Charlie =(
Does anyone know if the key will still work? I'm afraid to test it for fear of shorting some of the circuitry.

mooo · #2 02-03-2008, 07:32 PM

This may be a good time to figure out how to access the battery. My keyfob doesn't look like the one in the manual. The back cover doesn't look like it has a smaller section for the battery, but is instead one piece. Has anyone figured out how to do this?

checkercoop · #3 02-03-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mooo

This may be a good time to figure out how to access the battery. My keyfob doesn't look like the one in the manual. The back cover doesn't look like it has a smaller section for the battery, but is instead one piece. Has anyone figured out how to do this?

Im not sure how to access the batter, but the 1 in the manual i believe is the comfort access...the normal ones are 1 piece...mine is 1 piece...the comfort access has the opening because if they always keep it in their pocket when driving and the battery eventually dies, they will be locked out...the regular ones are always charged so idk if its as easy to get to

OkieSnake · #4 02-03-2008, 07:46 PM

It has been my experience with electronics is that if they get wet, let them COMPLETELY dry out before even thinking about testing them. I would open up the battery compartment and let it dry out a few days. People often can't deal with the wait and "test" them before everything has dried out and THATS when things get ruined. Be patient! Let us know how it turns out.

tag · #5 02-03-2008, 08:37 PM

The newer fobs are rechargable and do not have a battery door except for the comfort access system

COOP310 · #6 02-04-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OkieSnake

It has been my experience with electronics is that if they get wet, let them COMPLETELY dry out before even thinking about testing them. I would open up the battery compartment and let it dry out a few days. People often can't deal with the wait and "test" them before everything has dried out and THATS when things get ruined. Be patient! Let us know how it turns out.

Good Advice!

gokartride · #7 02-04-2008, 08:05 AM

I believe someone here said they ran theirs through the laundry....and it still worked!!!

lacning74 · #8 02-05-2008, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gokartride

I believe someone here said they ran theirs through the laundry....and it still worked!!!

I'm tempted to test mine in the dish washer. It's looking dirty.

tag · #9 02-05-2008, 09:50 AM

Rinse fob with rubbing alcohol to speed drying.

valthun · #10 02-04-2008, 12:34 AM

place it in a small bucket of clean kitty litter for a couple of hours. That should remove any moisture and you should be good.

OasisT · #11 02-04-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valthun

place it in a small bucket of clean kitty litter for a couple of hours. That should remove any moisture and you should be good.

And make sure cat doesn't have access. lol

Actually, my wife washed my key when I accidentally left it zipped up in a pocket of my sweatshirt, that was roughly 4 months ago and it has worked perfectly since. I can't remember if the key was also put in the dryer as well, but, I am thinking they must be waterproof. Only one way to find out!

Cabbagehead · #12 02-04-2008, 05:29 AM

In anticipation of this problem I asked the service department at my dealer and they werent sure but said it would probably work after drying out.

Babul03 · #13 02-10-2008, 01:11 PM

When I had my MINI in for service, they gave me a BMW 328i. It has a very similar key, and I accidentally dropped it in my dog's water bowl.

I'm an idiot, I know. Thank god it worked though. I had no problems with it whatsoever. So I'm guessing yours will be just fine.

daffodildeb · #14 02-10-2008, 02:32 PM

I'll bet BMW wouldn't have been too happy if they'd known!

These key fobs are neat, but ridiculously expensive. I'd dry it out as much as possible, maybe using the desiccant granules you can get at one of the big-box hobby shops. They're used for drying flowers.

Luongo · #15 02-10-2008, 06:55 PM

My BMW keyfob went through the washing machine and drying machine cycles on two separate occasions and still works perfectly.

Stick your wet keyfob in a khaki pocket and run through the drying machine.

Of course, I am not responsible for any damages...

mooo · #16 02-11-2008, 09:53 PM

Good news. Thanks for all the advice. I grabbed a few packets of desiccant (not from a hobby shop, but from snack packets, lol) and put it in a warm spot for a few days. The key works like new.

It's a little strange that there is no way to access the battery though. Even if it recharges itself, all batteries have a lifetime, and I don't want to replace the whole thing just because the battery died.

danielo · #17 02-17-2008, 09:54 PM

I do believe it's washing machine-proof.

I have had my E46 key in the past gone thru the washing phase in the machine, still worked for years after that.

My Mini's key has been thru 1 comple wash cycle. And it's still working fine.

nikoamok · #18 02-22-2008, 06:05 PM

spray it with novatio multi super 5 oil... it remowes moist and protects the keys if you should do that again... i dit it to my cell phone... www.novatio.com

jjshoe · #19 07-02-2009, 03:29 PM

Been surfing with my key, worked good after I:

1) pulled the battery immediatly
2) placed in the sun to dry
3) installed new battery

lacynpiper · #20 07-02-2009, 04:03 PM

About a year ago I dropped my phone in a bowl of water and the best suggestion I found on the internet was to put the phone, or other electronic, in a bowl of rice and let that absorb all of the water. I didn't have any rice handy so I just let the phone dry out for 24 hours. I would imagine that the key fob is similar.

Oh, and the phone eventually broke and had to be replaced but it worked for nearly a year after that incident.

sdavid01 · #21 07-02-2009, 04:04 PM

I've washed mine. I removed the battery and let it dry out. Haven't had a problem since!

blackjackmark · #22 07-02-2009, 07:28 PM

Accidentlaly washed mine, it works, but it does seem like the range is a lot less, even with a fresh battery (mine's Comfort Access)

danielo · #23 07-02-2009, 09:05 PM

How did you guys remove the battery?

daffodildeb · #24 07-02-2009, 10:34 PM

I think that's just for the Comfort Access gang. Isn't it?

war6763 · #25 07-20-2009, 11:50 PM

You can only remove the battery on the comfort access key fobs. The regular ones have a built-in battery and charge using inductance when in the key slot. I'd imagine that the regular key fobs are pretty water-resistant with the buttons being the only weak spot, but the comfort access ones might be a bit more susceptible to water damage. IMHO I like the kitty litter idea, or if you need your key fob immediately, find someone with a vacuum pump and a mason jar. Whenever you pull the air out of something you also lower its boiling point (in this case, the water's boiling point) which means that the water evaporates at room temperature!

Bam! Completely dry key in 30 seconds