What are the effects of a car key getting wet?
4 Answers
The car key does not have waterproof function, so if the key falls into water or gets wet, it is necessary to deal with it in time to prevent damage caused by corrosion and oxidation of the internal circuit board due to prolonged exposure to water. The following are the methods to deal with a wet car key: 1. First, pull out the mechanical key of the remote key, then turn the logo of the key upward and pry open the back cover of the key. 2. Remove the key battery first to prevent short circuit of the internal circuit board due to the key being powered. 3. Remove the entire back cover of the key, take out the circuit board, use a paper towel to absorb the moisture on the circuit board and the front and back covers of the key, and then use a hot air blower to dry the circuit board and the key cover to prevent oxidation of the circuit board. 4. After completing the work of dealing with the wet key, install it in the reverse order of disassembly to reset it.
I previously encountered a situation where my car key got soaked in water. Once water gets inside, it's troublesome—the circuit board can short-circuit directly, causing button malfunctions. Especially with smart keys, the internal chips are fragile, and getting wet can lead to complete remote failure. In severe cases, it can corrode the battery contacts, leaving them rusty. The mechanical part might still work to unlock the door, but the functionality is greatly reduced. The impurities in the water leave residue after drying, causing buttons to get stuck. I recommend immediately cutting off the power—for example, removing the key battery to prevent burning out—then wiping off surface moisture with a cloth, placing it in a sealed bag with some rice or silica gel packets, and letting it sit for a day or two to absorb moisture. If it still doesn’t work after this, take it to a professional shop for repair or replacement, which may cost anywhere from tens to hundreds of dollars. For daily use, keeping it in a waterproof case in your pocket is safer.
Last time my car key fell into the fish tank, and I panicked. After fishing it out, the remote didn't respond, so I had to use the old-fashioned key to open the door. It took me a while to remember to remove the battery, then I put it in a rice bag for two days before it started working again, though the buttons occasionally malfunction. The lesson is to immediately power off to avoid circuit damage, and avoid using a hot air blower as high temperatures can damage the chip. If it gets wet from rain or splashes, remember to dry it right away. Keep a spare key at home or in the car for emergencies. Though it's a minor issue, it's annoying—prevention is key, so opting for a splash-proof case is much more convenient.
If your car key gets soaked, act quickly with these steps: First, remove the battery to prevent short circuits, wipe off surface water, and place it in a drying agent container like a silica gel pack for several hours. Smart keys have complex internals—just use cool air to dry them to avoid heat damage. If repairs fail, take it to a professional shop; costs may exceed 100 RMB depending on damage. For daily care, I recommend storing keys in waterproof bags and addressing rain exposure promptly. Water damage reduces functionality—act fast to minimize losses.
