I accidentally went in the pool with the car key in my pocket about a month ago. When I got home I took the key apart and left it buried in rice for a day. Since then it works fine but I’ve realised the battery in the key drains very quickly (having to change it every few weeks). Is there a solution to this? Any cheaper alternatives than getting it done at dealer? I’m sure they’ll want to charge me for reprogramming the key And changing locks!

Also I assume it’s normal for the immobiliser to kick in if I’ve locked the car using the fob but open it manually using the key?

Thanks!

The immobilizer works all the time even with the doors open, its only when you put the key in regardless of whether the manual key or remote that the car picks up the chip in the key, needs to be very close to the lock.

As for the remote try drying further, dismantle it an put on top of the boiler or somewhere suitable that gets quite warm for extended periods and leave there for a few days, if still an issue seek a new remote?

You can buy an empty shell remote along with key blank for a few quid on eBay. Take the chip out of your key, dry it out and swap into the new shell and swap the blank.

You could just take it apart and dry it out properly but a nice new dry shell along with the spring that makes it flip out may well go rusty now.

Last month I took it apart and allowed to fully dry on a radiator. New battery only lasted a few weeks again and now it’s even worse, can’t remotely unlock it at all. Been quoted 350-400 to get the remote replaced at a dealer and independent.

Anywhere that could do it cheaper? This is one expensive pool trip!

gaurav500 said:

Last month I took it apart and allowed to fully dry on a radiator. New battery only lasted a few weeks again and now it’s even worse, can’t remotely unlock it at all. Been quoted 350-400 to get the remote replaced at a dealer and independent.



Anywhere that could do it cheaper? This is one expensive pool trip!

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I paid £150 for a local vehicle locksmith to cut, code and program a new remote key. I’m guessing yours has a fault in the circuit board. You obviously don’t need a key cut as you can swap the blade over.

typecastboy said:

I paid £150 for a local vehicle locksmith to cut, code and program a new remote key. I’m guessing yours has a fault in the circuit board. You obviously don’t need a key cut as you can swap the blade over.

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Thanks! I was planning to give the local locksmiths a ring but I was under the impression only main dealers and Indys could code and programme a new remote key!

gaurav500 said:

Thanks! I was planning to give the local locksmiths a ring but I was under the impression only main dealers and Indys could code and programme a new remote key!

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No, my fella is just a regular auto locksmith. He cuts the key then plugs his machine into the ODB port and can cancel any other keys and program the new one. One car, I had no keys whatsoever but still managed to do it.

Think I got away lightly

£90 and mrs is happy she has her remote key working again !

Thanks for the advices