What to Do When Your Car Key Gets Wet and the Remote Control Stops Working?
2 Answers
Dry the surface first. If you know how to disassemble it, open the casing, remove the battery, and use absorbent paper towels to wipe the internal components. Use a hairdryer on the cool setting to dry it out—avoid using hot air. You can also place it in dry rice (as rice is quite dry and can absorb moisture effectively). Use high-concentration alcohol to gently clean the internal button contacts and other parts, then let it air dry before reinserting the battery. If the key still doesn’t work after following these steps, the issue is likely a damaged circuit board. In this case, you may need to visit a 4S dealership to get a replacement key.
I'm the type who often has minor mishaps. Last time when my key got soaked in the rain and the remote completely failed, I immediately opened the key casing, took out the battery, and dried it with tissue paper. Then I placed it in a bowl of raw rice and sealed it for a day—rice is great at absorbing moisture. After that, I put the battery back in and tried it, and it usually works again. If that doesn't work, I usually take it to a roadside repair shop to see if the technician can clean and fix the circuit board, saving me the hassle and high cost of replacing it at a dealership. If your key gets wet, don't press any buttons—this could short-circuit the system and completely ruin it. The remote is like the heart of your car; if it fails, you can't even open the door, which is quite a hassle. Keeping a spare mechanical key in your wallet is also practical for emergencies. These small things can easily cause trouble if you're not careful, so checking your key before driving is a must-have habit.
