Keyfob water damage help!!
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Clk w209 AMG
Keyfob water damage help!!
A friend of mine accidently dropped my cl500 w215 keyfob (smart key) on the hotel's pool. I dismantled the keyfob completely cleaned it with isopropyl alchol and put it back together but the car displays on the odometer screen "key not recognized". I also noticed the small red light that blinks when you press a button on the fob stopped blinking when pressing any button on the fob
I tried cleaning= no success
Tomorrow I will try a new battery
But if it doesn't do the job with a new battery what can I do? And how?
Thanks!
PS: im on vacation i need this fixed ASAP
I tried cleaning= no success
Tomorrow I will try a new battery
But if it doesn't do the job with a new battery what can I do? And how?
Thanks!
PS: im on vacation i need this fixed ASAP
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
When this happens the best thing to do is NOT PUSH BUTTONS. Remove the battery ASAP as to not short anything out.
Dry the circuit board. Use compressed air if need be.
Put the circuit board in a bag with rice or moisture absorbing desiccant for a couple of days.
Then put back together and see if it works.
If not, you (or the water) probably shorted something out.
Do you have another key? If not, you will have to order one and have it coded to your key rail at the dealer.
The key fob battery has nothing to do with the starting of the vehicle. The only thing the battery is there for is to operate the IR and RF sending of the lock/unlock commands from the key fob to the car. The actual ignition process does not need battery power from the key fob.
Dry the circuit board. Use compressed air if need be.
Put the circuit board in a bag with rice or moisture absorbing desiccant for a couple of days.
Then put back together and see if it works.
If not, you (or the water) probably shorted something out.
Do you have another key? If not, you will have to order one and have it coded to your key rail at the dealer.
The key fob battery has nothing to do with the starting of the vehicle. The only thing the battery is there for is to operate the IR and RF sending of the lock/unlock commands from the key fob to the car. The actual ignition process does not need battery power from the key fob.
Last edited by awiner; Jul 31, 2015 at 12:49 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
The authentication puck in the keys head to start the car is pretty much encased as to prevent water damage.
