Does Water Damage Affect Car Keys?
2 Answers
Water damage does affect car keys as they are not waterproof. If not addressed promptly, the internal circuit board may corrode and oxidize. The method to deal with a water-damaged car key is: immediately disassemble the key, dry it with a paper towel, and then use the hot air setting of a hair dryer to remove any remaining moisture. The main functions of a car key are: 1. Locking and unlocking car doors; 2. Holding the lock button after turning off the engine to close windows; 3. Pressing the car finder button to locate the vehicle in a parking lot; 4. Holding the trunk button to open it automatically; 5. Pressing the unlock button once to open only the driver's door, and twice to unlock all doors. Common types of car keys include: purely mechanical keys, remote control keys, touchscreen LCD keys, and smart wristband keys.
I just had this happen last month – dropped my car key into the swimming pool, and after retrieving it, the remote was completely unresponsive. I first dried the exterior, then opened the battery compartment and found significant water residue inside. I immediately placed it in a bag of rice overnight to absorb moisture. The next day, it worked but was unstable. A friend mentioned that water might have corroded the internal circuits. If it's a smart key, it’s even worse—the internal chip can short-circuit and get damaged easily when wet, making repairs or replacements costly. You really need to be careful; keep it away from water or high-temperature areas. If it gets wet, immediately remove the battery and wipe it down to avoid repeated soaking or vigorous shaking, which could worsen the damage. Simple keys might be salvageable, but modern car keys are complex, and improper handling can affect locking, unlocking, or even engine start functions.
