Shhhh...don't tell anyone, but I inadvertently let my key fob in my pocket and it went through a one hour wash cycle and 45 minutes in the dryer.

When I found it taking the clothes out of the dryer I thought, Oh great, now I am out $85 for a new one. At least that's what I have heard they cost.

It was very hot to the touch, so I let it cool down before trying it, but all is well and it seems to work fine. I can hardly believe I was so lucky I didn't ruin it but I am sure happy. I wonder if anyone else has done this.

 

Consider yourself luckier cause the cost of a new key fob isn't $85..it's more $200+.

 

If you accidently wash one of these, most of the time as long as you give it a chance to dry out before attemping to use it, you're fine. My wife's Mazda 6 key got washed a week ago. I just let it air dry and it was fine. On the other hand, I've never experienced having one go through a dryer cycle. That could possibly ruin one more so than the water. I'm glad you didn't have to spend that amount of money.

 

$85? I have heard them being well over $300.

 

yikes. i thought they were like sub-100 too. thats nuts

 

Well you got it partly correct there just needs to be a 2 in front of that 85.

Don't ask how I know I will not tell.

$285 + tax is what my dealer charged me a year ago any way.

 

Yep! I've run mine through the wash/dry as well.
Still works fine and smells Rain Forest Fresh!

Jim

 

One of our Clubman keys got washed, works fine.

Mark

 

Never try to use a wet electronic device (OP lucked up). Always completely dry. Best to place in a clean air tight jar with silica gel for 2 to 4 days then give it a try.

 

Next time, swish it around in some deionized (or distilled) water when it comes out of the pocket after washing/drying and then let it dry completely before using it. The objective is to rinse out residues from ordinary tap water which can interfere with the electronics.

BTW, electronic boards are routinely washed after manufacturing.

 

But not with batteries in place.

I suspect the fob is designed to survive being washed. It is obviously a common occurrence.

 

Actually, in some cases boards have batteries soldered to them and they still get washed. It's the water...

 

Mine went through a whole wash cycle once. Found it in the washer while transferring clothes to the dryer. Still works fine but I wouldn't want to try it again.

 

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who's done this!

 

You can also use a zip lock bag or tuperware w/ rice. Does a very good job.

 

Actually this is an old wives tell and isn't correct. Cold dry rice does a poor job of absorbing water. It must be heated to a high temperature in order to break down the starches before it starts absorbing any significant amount of moisture (water).

It's use in the salt shaker is more about keeping the salt free flowing than absorbing moisture.

 

Wow thats some story. FWIW, some dude on ebay sells R56 fobs for $85.00

 

It's good to know I'm not the first, or the only, one to do this.

 

Before ordering from ebay better ask your dealer if they can/will reprogram it for your car, and what they will charge.

 

On a recent episode of the AV Rant podcast he put up specialized beads for saving your electronic and rice. The rice absorbed several times more than the synthetic beads.

http://lifehacker.com/269427/dry-out...adgets-in-rice

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/p...and-conclusion

 

It's amazing how you guys can fit such a monstrosity of an object in your pocket!!

 

Fits nicely in the coin pocket on Levis.

 

More info is required to assist with your situation:

Did you use the delicate or heavy duty wash cycles? What were the wash and rinse cycle temperatures? Front load or top load?

Did you wash with just whites or a mixed load?

Chlorine bleach or all fabric detergent?

Did you dry it on permanent press setting? Timed or automatic?

Did you use fabric softener in the wash or those sheets in the dryer?




(...and my wife thinks that I don't know how to do laundry. I just don't let on that I do. Besides, I never ask her to wash the cars. Why should I do the clothes?)

 

Hey, let's not get personal....

 

THATS WHAT SHE SAID!

BOOYA!