Washig machine safe?

[2012_135i]

I’m probably not the first person to have this happen but the other day my wife washed my shorts with my key fob in the pocket. We have a front loading washing machine that locks up tight when you start it and neither one of us has figured out how to stop it yet so the key fob went for the full ride, with us watching it spin and slosh around and back and forth after it fell out of my shorts pocket. After the spin cycle I retrieved it and let it dry out overnight and then tried it out the next day. It didn’t operate the trunk or the door locks, which I pretty much expected, but, surprisingly, it did work to start the car. And then, surprisingly again, after driving the car for about twenty minutes and getting out, it did work to lock the car. Hours later, going back to the car, it again wouldn’t open the doors or trunk but did work to start the car and drive home, and when I arrived home it worked to lock the car. The next day this was repeated. And the next day. On the forth day it was back to normal with all functions operational. Weird. I still carry the spare key fob around with me just in case.

[bmw1racer]

I'd open the key fob up and check for signs of corrosion or contamination from the laundry detergent and rinse thoroughly with distilled water.

It might work now, but over time if there's still detergent inside the fob, it'll start corroding the electronics.

[Andrewcoja]

Being in the water might have caused a short which drained your battery. Driving in the car charged it back up enough to lock the doors but it then died again. Go for a long drive with that key and see if it charges up. Also, be wary of corrosion like bmw1racer said.

[rocketpop]

I have washed mine before. I open the back and took the battery out and let it dry out. Worked fine.

[RoundelM3]

FYI - all new washers have the door-lock feature to keep kids (and adults) from opening the door while it's operating. There's a power-on button and a power-off button; the latter works great to stop the washer.

[codean]

Door locks vs vehicle start (key slot) uses two different systems in in the remote. The remotes are not waterproof at all.

If this ever happens again. Remove all excess water and place the remote into a bag of uncooked rice for a few days with the smaller end pointed up... and then recheck function. If its a comfort access key, remove the battery first.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

I'd open the key fob up and check for signs of corrosion or contamination from the laundry detergent and rinse thoroughly with distilled water.

It might work now, but over time if there's still detergent inside the fob, it'll start corroding the electronics.

That thought occurred, but I don't know how to open it. Do I just pry it open at what looks like a seem around the edge?

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by Andrewcoja

Being in the water might have caused a short which drained your battery. Driving in the car charged it back up enough to lock the doors but it then died again. Go for a long drive with that key and see if it charges up. Also, be wary of corrosion like bmw1racer said.

Interesting theory. A long drive around here means running up to the north shore or doing circle island which can take hours due to traffic. I'll try to convince the wife to let me off duty for the afternoon.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by rocketpop

I have washed mine before. I open the back and took the battery out and let it dry out. Worked fine.

Hate to be a noob but how, exactly, did you do that? I've had no look pushing, pressing, etc.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by codean

Door locks vs vehicle start (key slot) uses two different systems in in the remote. The remotes are not waterproof at all.

If this ever happens again. Remove all excess water and place the remote into a bag of uncooked rice for a few days with the smaller end pointed up... and then recheck function. If its a comfort access key, remove the battery first.

I've read that if your cell phone goes for a swim the thing to do is put it in a bath of 99% isopropyl alcohol for a while, then put it in uncooked rice. The alcohol drives out the water. 80%, which is the most commonly available, shouldn't be used because it has too much water in it. I should have done that but forgot about it. As soon as I figure out how to open it up I'll clean it thoroughly.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by roundel335

FYI - all new washers have the door-lock feature to keep kids (and adults) from opening the door while it's operating. There's a power-on button and a power-off button; the latter works great to stop the washer.

Yeah, the power on/off button works great but being a front loader you can't just open the door without draining first and the whole process is something we should have RTFM about but didn't. Our egg on our faces.

[JeffyD]

Detergent worries?

Take any batteries out, ground yourself, and swab the fob back and forth in a bowl of water. Wipe/pat it down with a relatively clean towel that also is fairly devoid of lint or oils of some sort since that'd be counter productive. Then swab it again in another bowl of uncontaminated water - filtered if you're paranoid. Wave it back and forth, like a saltshakah- er, as you would to get water off of your hands. Then, once the majority of any wetness has been waved off, store it in a glass of rice for a couple of days... Or so. Depends.

Slap in a new, fresh battery into its little key home, and be as worry free as you can manage.

Getting the gizmo wet, in this case, isn't the worry - it's already taken that bullet. If its alive and all that troubles you is corrosion... Me, though? I'd probably just let it be unless it's sticky.

PS - avoid rubbing alcohol unless you get the insanely pure stuff. Even then, it's not really worth it at this point.

PPS - This is all under the assumption you luck out with the fob. I dropped mine into a bucket of car wash suds and water, and wound up keeping it there for a good minute since my hands had previous cargo hogging them up. Mine turned out fine after a batt swap - whether or not the whatzit gets zapped is all luck of the draw... I've had fairly good luck with these mishaps, my own and helping family and friends with theirs, though. I'd say a 70% survival rate, off the top of my head, but I may be blocking out terrible failures so who knows. Anyway, best of luck. Just be careful popping that key open. I personally found the flathead bit on my Swiss Army knife was the best route. The one attached to the can opener.

[Simsims]

my mini's keys went through washer/dryer once and everything was fine
the 2nd time it went through the washer/dryer it died. everytime i put the batteries in it and it automatically unlocks the door and rolls down the windows.

car sat outside through a rainstorm with the windows fully down. soaking wet

[slampig]

Dry it off in the microwave!!!

[Andrewcoja]

Originally Posted by Simsims

my mini's keys went through washer/dryer once and everything was fine
the 2nd time it went through the washer/dryer it died. everytime i put the batteries in it and it automatically unlocks the door and rolls down the windows.

car sat outside through a rainstorm with the windows fully down. soaking wet

There is a short on the unlock button. If you opened it up and used isopropyl to clean everything, it would probably work fine.

[rocketpop]

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

Hate to be a noob but how, exactly, did you do that? I've had no look pushing, pressing, etc.

You remove the key and pry open the back to access the battery. I have comfort access so your key may or may not be the same as mine.

[Andrewcoja]

Non comfort access does not have a removable battery.

[Simsims]

Originally Posted by Andrewcoja

There is a short on the unlock button. If you opened it up and used isopropyl to clean everything, it would probably work fine.

yep, but can't really open up a mini key without destroying it

oh well, that's where the spare comes in handy. lease is over now anyway, so car's been returned

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by slampig

Dry it off in the microwave!!!

You're kidding, right?

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by JeffyD

Detergent worries?

Take any batteries out, ground yourself, and swab the fob back and forth in a bowl of water.... Anyway, best of luck. Just be careful popping that key open. I personally found the flathead bit on my Swiss Army knife was the best route. The one attached to the can opener.

I couldn't figure out how to open up the back and get the battery out so I took it in to the dealership. Turns out my FOB (2012 model issue) can not be opened. It's sealed. I looked at the parts manager with my best "you gotta be kidding me" look and asked him how the heck you're supposed to change the battery when it dies then. He stared me straight in the eye and said "you're not". Cost of a replacement? $190.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by Simsims

my mini's keys went through washer/dryer once and everything was fine
the 2nd time it went through the washer/dryer it died. everytime i put the batteries in it and it automatically unlocks the door and rolls down the windows.

car sat outside through a rainstorm with the windows fully down. soaking wet

Now I don't feel quite so bad about not being able to open my washing machine.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by Andrewcoja

Non comfort access does not have a removable battery.

That would explain it.