key fob through wash machine-damage?

[pick333]

I left the key fob to my 2013 135i in my jeans and ran it through a full wash cycle in the clothes wash machine. I have the comfort access system, and so far everything is still working. Anyone else done this? Do I have anything to worry about long term? I know key fobs are expensive.

[Worra]

Originally Posted by pick333

I left the key fob to my 2013 135i in my jeans and ran it through a full wash cycle in the clothes wash machine. I have the comfort access system, and so far everything is still working. Anyone else done this? Do I have anything to worry about long term? I know key fobs are expensive.

Water will probably cause corrosion damage to your key over time. I'd take the battery out (if you have the removable battery fob) and make sure you get it as dry as possible. I bet it will work for a while but you might want to look into a spare :/

[MuNkY6913]

I did this not to long ago. It still works fine just needs a new battery. After the wash it quickly started taking longer and longer for the door handle to sense it to unlock. I'm just using the spare one until I get new batteries. It finally took a washing machine to kill the 4 year old battery. The spare is just as old and works like it was still brand new.

[HeyMoe53]

Don't you guys go through all of the pockets before you toss clothes in the washing machine? ; )

Glad to hear that it didn't "kill" it.

MuNkY--what is Joel Confer going to charge you for a battery?

[Dackelone]

Do the "rice trick"! Put the key fob in a jar with a decent amount of rice, then seal it. Let it sit over night and the rice will absorb the water inside your key fob.

G.L.
Dack

[TwinTurboed]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Do the "rice trick"! Put the key fob in a jar with a decent amount of rice, then seal it. Let it sit over night and the rice will absorb the water inside your key fob.

G.L.
Dack

+1

[MuNkY6913]

Originally Posted by HeyMoe53

Don't you guys go through all of the pockets before you toss clothes in the washing machine? ; )

Glad to hear that it didn't "kill" it.

MuNkY--what is Joel Confer going to charge you for a battery?

Holy crap! There's another 1er in central PA. That makes 3 now. I'm not sure what Joel confers would charge, whatever it is it's to much. Haha. Every time I price something there it's cheaper to get it online somewhere. And most of the time I have to find the parts for them and give them part numbers after they tell me the parts don't exist. Been a wild experience dealing with them.

[HeyMoe53]

I grew up in Bellefonte, and now live an hour away from SC, west on US 322.

Back in '09, I stopped at JC, as I was just starting to think about buying a 1er. I was dressed in a t-shirt and shorts (hey, I was playing tennis, and I dress like that anyway).

I got an attitude from them, probably based on my perceived inability to afford a BMW. I went to Sun Motorcars in Mechanicsburg, and was treated like royalty. So, I'm on my second 1er from Sun.

I drive down there for service, and events like Oktoberfest. There's a back way to get
from Lewistown to Sun, and it's 50 miles of "whee!"

To me, it's worth the extra driving to go where my business is appreciated.

[MuNkY6913]

Originally Posted by HeyMoe53

I grew up in Bellefonte, and now live an hour away from SC, west on US 322.

Back in '09, I stopped at JC, as I was just starting to think about buying a 1er. I was dressed in a t-shirt and shorts (hey, I was playing tennis, and I dress like that anyway).

I got an attitude from them, probably based on my perceived inability to afford a BMW. I went to Sun Motorcars in Mechanicsburg, and was treated like royalty. So, I'm on my second 1er from Sun.

I drive down there for service, and events like Oktoberfest. There's a back way to get
from Lewistown to Sun, and it's 50 miles of "whee!"

To me, it's worth the extra driving to go where my business is appreciated.

Depending on how old you are we might know the same people. There's another member on here that just moved out of bellefonte a month ago after probably 6-7 years there. We both grew up in state college. I had big problems with Joel confer when I first started going there. Now I know the service manager. He usually takes good care of me and my buddy. He even did some warranty work, out of warranty. You should have come with us to the drag strip. And yes I do check my pockets before the wash but the wife stole them before I could take the keys out. Obviously she doesn't check the pockets.

[Dackelone]

@MuNkY6913 it's funny hearing you guys talking about Joel Confer/BMW. Do they still sell Toyota's there too ? I lived for a while in "Happy Valley" SC and went to PSU. I remember driving by that BMW store very well on the way to class(short cut, on the back way into PSU). There was a Domino's Pizza down the street in the direction where my parents lived.


Hopefully the OP has done the "rice trick" by now and has something good to report back to us. Sorry about going way off topic!

[HeyMoe53]

Dack--Yes, they still sell Toyotas there, too. My "directional mind" is messed up right now, but there is indeed a Domino's nearby.

PSU has gotten so huge--too large, IMO. 40,000 students now, half that in my days (early '70s). My '74-'75 tuition bill was for a thousand dollars. I think it is around $18K now. Cheaper than private schools, but expensive for a state university.

And yes, I knew, though not friends with Mr. Sandusky. Fly me to Germany, and "bitte ein Bit," and we'll talk more.

MuNkY--were you the person with the LMB 135 at the Bellefonte car show in June? If so, I was the guy in the CCA t-sirt who spoke to you (with the brand-new 128, on the way home from Sun Motorcars).

If so, nice car you have!

[MuNkY6913]

Haha. That dominos is still there. The guy with the LMB 1er is Loesch. I couldn't make the car show, it was on my daughters bday party. I have a montego blue metallic. Although they both look identical when right next to each other. Next time your up this way let one of us know, maybe go for a drive. Another member was in the area from Ohio and we met up and went for a drive while he was here. It's always fun seeing other 1ers and meeting people. Doesn't happen for us very often in this place. This did go waaay off topic. Hahaha.

Maybe op got it fixed?