What should you do if you accidentally washed your car key in the washing machine?
Things that don't belong there often end up in the washing machine. Sometimes jeans or a jacket are washed not only money And telephone, but also car keys. After contact with water, it can still be revived.
What should you do if you accidentally washed your car key (with a chip, with an alarm) in the washing machine? Find the answer to the question in the article.
Content
What happens to the device after washing?
The extent of the problem depends on which key got into the washing machine drum. They are available with and without alarms. In one of the cases, everything is solved simply.
With chip
The effect of water on the chips inside is detrimental. You will have to dry it, disassemble it, check it and reassemble the keychain.
No alarm
The metal ignition key is resistant to water and washing powder. It is not damaged even by hard and sharp objects. Its presence in a washing machine can only harm delicate items and rarely the machine itself.
How does the processing mode affect the state of the microcircuits?
For microcircuits, it is not the number of revolutions or the temperature of the water that is detrimental, but the very fact of contact with moisture and washing powder.
The key fob practically does not suffer mechanical damage from the drum, since it is in a pocket.
Most often, keys are forgotten in jeans or a jacket. They are washed on a gentle cycle, in non-hot water. But the microcircuits can still fail.
Possible consequences
After washing, the key fob may not be completely damaged. What a car owner may encounter:
| Problem | How it manifests itself |
| Closure | Some functions freeze. Windows may close or open periodically. |
| Lost connection | The car does not respond to the key. |
| Function failure | Some buttons don't work. |
In this case, high-quality powder plays a bad role. It corrodes the boards more strongly.
Rescue work
The sequence of actions and their correctness determines the chances of a successful outcome. Therefore, you need to save your keys carefully.
What to do when washing is finished:
Assess the condition of the key to understand the extent of the problem.- Disassemble the keychain, remembering the sequence.
- Carefully clean the board so as not to harm anything.
- Dry all parts so that no moisture remains.
- Replace components if they do not work.
- Check the condition of the key after final assembly. All functions must be performed.
If you manage to remember the key while washing, you don’t need to wait for it to finish. You should cancel the action, drain the water and remove the device.
Assess condition
After removing the keys from the washing machine drum, you need to check their condition. How to do it:
- The key fob turns on, but you can hear that there is water inside. Drops are visible. There is a chance for self-repair.
- Icons are displayed on the key fob and blinking is visible. If done correctly, you can bring the keychain back to life.
- The buttons do not respond to pressing. You can hear water inside.There is very little chance of recovery.
Disassemble the key
To disassemble the key, you should prepare. What you need for disassembly:
- bright light;
- clock screwdrivers of different sizes;
- wire cutters;
- board cleaner.
How to disassemble:
- Open the body. If it is not cast, then pry off the joint with a knife. If it is cast, look at the key fob in the light, you will see where the chip is attached. Carefully cut out a piece of plastic.
- Find the bolts that are in the housing and unscrew them. Pry off part of the housing with a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the chip.
- Disconnect the key blade with the ejection mechanism. Remove buttons.
An example of disassembling a key in the video:
Clean the board
Next comes the crucial moment. It is necessary to quickly but carefully clean the board. It oxidizes from contact with washing powder. This is indicated by cloudiness and the appearance of a green color on the surface. It is important not to break anything or leave damage.
How to proceed:
-
Use baking soda. Sodium bicarbonate is also suitable. The product cleanses well, but is gentle. Neutralizes oxidation, removes corrosion.To clean, take a cotton swab soaked in ammonia. Then sprinkle soda on the board and carefully remove the plaque.
- Apply isopropyl alcohol. It's cheap and evaporates fairly quickly. For use, it is diluted in water 50/50. Then begin cleaning with a moistened cotton swab.
- Use distilled water for cleaning. It cannot be used from the tap, as it contains impurities that provoke a chemical reaction and oxidation.Cleansing is carried out with a moistened cotton swab.
- Clean the board with a phosphate-free cleaner. For boards use JELT 7251. Spray using a special “spout” and wipe.
Dry all components
It is recommended to dry all components thoroughly. Thorough drying will take at least 12 hours. Therefore, the parts are left overnight in a warm place. Don't rush and leave the parts wet.
Replace parts if necessary, determine the condition after repair
If after disassembly there is visible damage to the parts, then they need to be replaced.. Sometimes it is possible to determine the need for replacement only after assembly and testing.
The keychain is assembled in the reverse order. And then they check its performance. If not all functions are performed, you should take the key to a mechanic.
Replacing the key fob and its price
If it was not possible to return the key to life, then you need to order a replacement. There is no need to wait for time. It is recommended to solve the problem with the lack of a chip key immediately. Otherwise, in case of theft, questions will arise for the car owner.
How to proceed:
- Take all the documents for the car that you have.
- Contact the car dealership for help. Submit documents and consult with a specialist.
- Wait for production. It takes at least a week.
If the car is new, the salon can replace the key at a discount. Provided it is included in the warranty.
The price of replacing a key depends on the interior, the car itself and the complexity of the work. It starts from several thousand rubles, exceeding ten. Therefore, carelessness can result in very expensive laundry.
You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products Here.
Video on the topic
This video will tell you what to do if you washed your car key:
Conclusion
Sending a key with an alarm into a washing machine can cause it to break. You can save chips if you act quickly but carefully. After contact with water, the condition of the key fob is assessed, the parts are disassembled and dried. If the circuits do not work, replacement is required in the salon.
