Key got wet
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,888
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From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
What I would mention is that you can (1) take it apart (and remove battery), and (2) put it in a bowl filled with dry rice. Let it set in the rice for a couple hours, and clean and re-assemble. The rice will act as a desiccant, and will dry it out pretty well.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,291
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From: Lancaster county, PA
Unbelievable!!!...... ok a lot of truck guys are hunters....so your in the middle of the woods in east bumble scum hunting you take a fall into water and get hurt...the only way out for medical attention is your truck!..... does it run or no?..... the joys of electronics!..... the only reason I bring this up is we had a similar thing with are ATV's on a hunting trip involving water and a quad with electronics on it
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Joined: Jul 2015
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Unbelievable!!!...... ok a lot of truck guys are hunters....so your in the middle of the woods in east bumble scum hunting you take a fall into water and get hurt...the only way out for medical attention is your truck!..... does it run or no?..... the joys of electronics!..... the only reason I bring this up is we had a similar thing with are ATV's on a hunting trip involving water and a quad with electronics on it
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,597
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From: N. Texas
Unbelievable!!!...... ok a lot of truck guys are hunters....so your in the middle of the woods in east bumble scum hunting you take a fall into water and get hurt...the only way out for medical attention is your truck!..... does it run or no?..... the joys of electronics!..... the only reason I bring this up is we had a similar thing with are ATV's on a hunting trip involving water and a quad with electronics on it
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
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Went swimming in the ocean with my Ford Focus Key in my suit
I tucked my Ford Focus key in my swiming suit and went into the ocean. When I tried to start my car, no key detected. I had another key and was able to start my car.
I have ADHD and when I made it home, I had both keys in my hand but locked the car with the "bad" key. (What?!?) The "good" key was still in the car, locked. I searched the internet and found your the Ford Truck Forum and your thread and decided to open the "bad" key and let it "dry" as you said. It took a while but I was finally able to unlock the car and get the "good" key. The "bad" or soaked key still could not start the car. I will post if it does. Salt water is more corrosive than fresh so I will have to wait so see if it is functional or will have to be replaced. Thank you for your post. God Bless.
I have ADHD and when I made it home, I had both keys in my hand but locked the car with the "bad" key. (What?!?) The "good" key was still in the car, locked. I searched the internet and found your the Ford Truck Forum and your thread and decided to open the "bad" key and let it "dry" as you said. It took a while but I was finally able to unlock the car and get the "good" key. The "bad" or soaked key still could not start the car. I will post if it does. Salt water is more corrosive than fresh so I will have to wait so see if it is functional or will have to be replaced. Thank you for your post. God Bless.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,230
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From: San Antonio, TX
Welcome to FTE ctweibel,
Spray it out with WD40 then electrical parts cleaner. Replace the battery. If it still has problems, take the circuit board part out and put it in the oven at 250F for about 20 min. That will remove any moisture. I doubt any solder paths were cracked just from getting wet but if you still have an issue after that back at 425F for 15 min to reflow the solder.
I dried a wet flip phone out years ago by taking the battery out and leaving on the dashboard for a few hours on a hot summer day. Worked great afterwards.
Spray it out with WD40 then electrical parts cleaner. Replace the battery. If it still has problems, take the circuit board part out and put it in the oven at 250F for about 20 min. That will remove any moisture. I doubt any solder paths were cracked just from getting wet but if you still have an issue after that back at 425F for 15 min to reflow the solder.
I dried a wet flip phone out years ago by taking the battery out and leaving on the dashboard for a few hours on a hot summer day. Worked great afterwards.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Wet key - No key detected
I tucked my Ford Focus key in my swiming suit and went into the ocean. When I tried to start my car, no key detected. I had another key and was able to start my car.
I have ADHD and when I made it home, I had both keys in my hand but locked the car with the "bad" key. (What?!?) The "good" key was still in the car, locked. I searched the internet and found your the Ford Truck Forum and your thread and decided to open the "bad" key and let it "dry" as you said. It took a while but I was finally able to unlock the car and get the "good" key. The "bad" or soaked key still could not start the car. I will post if it does. Salt water is more corrosive than fresh so I will have to wait so see if it is functional or will have to be replaced. Thank you for your post. God Bless.
I have ADHD and when I made it home, I had both keys in my hand but locked the car with the "bad" key. (What?!?) The "good" key was still in the car, locked. I searched the internet and found your the Ford Truck Forum and your thread and decided to open the "bad" key and let it "dry" as you said. It took a while but I was finally able to unlock the car and get the "good" key. The "bad" or soaked key still could not start the car. I will post if it does. Salt water is more corrosive than fresh so I will have to wait so see if it is functional or will have to be replaced. Thank you for your post. God Bless.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,888
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
The other thing that's known to work is to get a small jar and fill it with dry, uncooked rice. Leave your fob (or whatever) in there overnight, and the rice will act as a desiccant and dry the thing out.
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