My wife washed my key

[whs]

My wife was kind enough to wash my key in my pants pocket. Now the key doesn't work. Is it likely just the battery or is it fried? TIA

Will

[Loren]

Certainly worth trying a new battery.

[White987S]

Will, are you saying your wife wears the pants in your family! :)

[whs]

Will, are you saying your wife wears the pants in your family! :)

You must have mis read my post...I said she washed the pants, not wears the pants!!

[White987S]

Will, if you wear the pants, then it is your responsibility to empty the pockets. For example, if you left money in the pants, and she washed them, who's money would it be then?

Did you know men who help their spouses do housework get more sex! True, I read this last year. And it works. Just a tip for you. :)

[whs]

Will, if you wear the pants, then it is your responsibility to empty the pockets. For example, if you left money in the pants, and she washed them, who's money would it be then?

Did you know men who help their spouses do housework get more sex! True, I read this last year. And it works. Just a tip for you. :)

Okay, a few points for the record:

My wife took my pants while I was in the shower (I know TMI). I always empty my pockets after I get out of the shower and in my new pants.

My wife is a very successful business woman and doesn't need money found in the laundry.

I probably do more housework than my wife as we have a housekeeper and about the only thing we (I) do is take out the trash. It was a rare occasion that she did laundry.

We have a 16 week old baby and a 4 yo so as for sex.....you get what you get when you can get it :)

That being said, how does all this get my darn key fixed? This board has been pretty light hearted lately. Must be summer :)

Will

[jvcuenca]

Will, if you wear the pants, then it is your responsibility to empty the pockets. For example, if you left money in the pants, and she washed them, who's money would it be then?

Did you know men who help their spouses do housework get more sex! True, I read this last year. And it works. Just a tip for you. :)

Okay, a few points for the record:

My wife took my pants while I was in the shower (I know TMI). I always empty my pockets after I get out of the shower and in my new pants.

My wife is a very successful business woman and doesn't need money found in the laundry.

I probably do more housework than my wife as we have a housekeeper and about the only thing we (I) do is take out the trash. It was a rare occasion that she did laundry.

We have a 16 week old baby and a 4 yo so as for sex.....you get what you get when you can get it :)

That being said, how does all this get my darn key fixed? This board has been pretty light hearted lately. Must be summer :)

Will

this is funny stuff! :D

[usdmej]

well, hopefully there was no water in the key when u pressed it. if there was, you coudl have shorted the circuits and now need a new key.

coincidentally i washed my volvo key last weekend, i didnt press any buttons, just opened it up and let it air dry. been using my spare key since never got around to putting it back together.

[KevinMac]

well, hopefully there was no water in the key when u pressed it. if there was, you coudl have shorted the circuits and now need a new key.

coincidentally i washed my volvo key last weekend, i didnt press any buttons, just opened it up and let it air dry. been using my spare key since never got around to putting it back together.

If it is still wet which I doubt, you can soak in alcohol with battery removed, and let it dry for 48 hours opened up. Suspect there is still water in it If it doesn't work get ready to spend some bucks. You can aslo try using a hair dryer on the removed circuit boad to make sure it's completly dried out.

Last time at the Porsche dealership a guy broke his key, it cost somewhere around $350 from the purchase of the key to getting it operational.

Edited June 19, 2008 by KevinMac

[Tool Pants]

Open it up as if you were going to replace the battery and let it dry out to see if it will start working.

[whs]

Open it up as if you were going to replace the battery and let it dry out to see if it will start working.

I did let it completly dry out before trying to use it, but to no use. Is it safe to assume that removing the battery from my other key to try in the key that isn't working will not affect the programming of that key? Also, if it is the board that is damaged, can you buy the board seperate? If not and if it isn't the battery, I guess I will just use the key the old fashioned way. Not worth a couple hundred bucks ($100 for new transmitter and $100 for programming) just to be able use the remote to lock the doors since I do have a functional key!

Will

[Loren]

If the "pill" transponder is not damaged you could easily convert to the Design key and get new "inerds".

With the Design Key conversion you just transfer your transponder pill to the new key. See the TSB on this.

[whs]

If the "pill" transponder is not damaged you could easily convert to the Design key and get new "inerds".

With the Design Key conversion you just transfer your transponder pill to the new key. See the TSB on this.

I have seen that, but I have a one button cab key so i don't think I can use the Design key.

Will

[silver arrow]

I washed and dried (by I, I mean my wife. She too decided to gather up my dirty clothing before I exited the shower). The battery was fried, but the phone worked with a new one. The screen is jacked up and it looks like heck. I'm just glad she didn't tyr to iron it.

[Kim]

I guess I will just use the key the old fashioned way. Not worth a couple hundred bucks ($100 for new transmitter and $100 for programming) just to be able use the remote to lock the doors since I do have a functional key

Will, if you're really making this a purely economic decision, then you might want to be sure of you have firm numbers. I was able to get a new key head, with barcode, on eBay for about $75. I believe Loren recently posted a Sunset flyer showing them in the $80's. As for programming, have you actually checked with your local dealer (CLT, I presume)? Mine in ATL charged me less than $50 to mate 2 new keys to my car.

[Davet18]

I guess I will just use the key the old fashioned way. Not worth a couple hundred bucks ($100 for new transmitter and $100 for programming) just to be able use the remote to lock the doors since I do have a functional key

Will, if you're really making this a purely economic decision, then you might want to be sure of you have firm numbers. I was able to get a new key head, with barcode, on eBay for about $75. I believe Loren recently posted a Sunset flyer showing them in the $80's. As for programming, have you actually checked with your local dealer (CLT, I presume)? Mine in ATL charged me less than $50 to mate 2 new keys to my car.

I had a problem with the little pushbutton switch breaking off the circuit board so I called my local dealer and they quoted $350 for a new key and programing. I figured I try soldering the switch back onto the circuite board and it worked. From what I have seen reading a number of posts dealers seam to charge whatever they want and there is no uniformity across the country. You are lucky to have a reasonable dealer.

Dave T

[Kim]

I had a problem with the little pushbutton switch breaking off the circuit board so I called my local dealer and they quoted $350 for a new key and programing. I figured I try soldering the switch back onto the circuite board and it worked. From what I have seen reading a number of posts dealers seam to charge whatever they want and there is no uniformity across the country. You are lucky to have a reasonable dealer.

Dave,

Just as with Will, I urge you to make sure you are talking apples and oranges with your dealer. If you simply inquire about "a new key", the dealer may think you mean the entire product: pre-cut metal shaft as well as the electronic head. These pre-cut shafts run in the $100 range by themselves .... probably even more from a non-discounting dealer. You, from what you have described, do not need the whole thing .... just a new head.

As for "reasonable dealer" .... other posts have shown that I was fortunate in the cost of mating the key to the car. As far as cost of parts goes, however, both I and Loren have pointed out that there are sources well below retail, both from Sunset Porsche (where Loren quoted them as selling the key heads in the $80 range) as well as eBay (where I got my key head).

The bottom line is that, unless one has a good deal more disposable income than I, one needs to be aggressive in pursuing the many good deals that are out there for parts for these cars. The local dealer is rarely the best deal. Tips as to where the best deals are, as well as technical info, are what drove me to find RennTech in the first place.

[CaRJoE0220]

Does your light still light up?

I washed my key, let it dry, and the light works when I hit the button but will not do anythign to the car. I dont know if this can be reprogrammed or what I can do. Stupid expensive *** keys.

[whs]

I guess I will just use the key the old fashioned way. Not worth a couple hundred bucks ($100 for new transmitter and $100 for programming) just to be able use the remote to lock the doors since I do have a functional key

Will, if you're really making this a purely economic decision, then you might want to be sure of you have firm numbers. I was able to get a new key head, with barcode, on eBay for about $75. I believe Loren recently posted a Sunset flyer showing them in the $80's. As for programming, have you actually checked with your local dealer (CLT, I presume)? Mine in ATL charged me less than $50 to mate 2 new keys to my car.

Kim,

When I bought my car, I had the dealer make me a new key. They charged me one hour of labor for programming the key at $80. I know that I can buy the "head of the key for about $80 from Sunset then $80 to program. I used $100 for each as rounded figures. I probably will eventually get around to getting the new key, but it's not a top priority right now since it doesn't prevent me from driving the car and it's not that big a deal to stick the key in the door to lock it. Thanks.

Will

[judgejon]

I dont have the "valet" key for my car. I contacted Sonnen in Marin and they wanted me there, the car there, and about $300 bucks. I've passed on the valet key....

[Kim]

I dont have the "valet" key for my car. I contacted Sonnen in Marin and they wanted me there, the car there, and about $300 bucks. I've passed on the valet key....

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it pays to shop around. I don't have my records with me right now, but I'm quite sure the valet key, precut for my VIN, was less than $100 from Sunset. On the electronic mating of key to car, I would certainly check around the bay area if I were you. With a number of dealers, it would be surprising if at least one is not smart enough to offer a reasonable price. Here in ATL, one quoted me $100, and the other did 2 keys for under $50 and in less than a 10 minute wait. A little competition goes a long way.

I learned a long time ago that I could afford much less in the way of mods and accessories if I simply called one local dealer for a price.

[mackguyver]

I can't remember if Porsche valet keys do this, but beware of the newer valet keys. They are NOT spare keys. In addition to not opening the storage compartment / glove box and trunk(s), they don't have the code or full code in them and will not activate the fuel pump. The idea is to keep the valet from getting too far if they drive off in your car. I had a friend who misplaced his main key and after using his spare key he had the car die a block or two away. Not the way you want to learn about this...

[Kim]

I can't remember if Porsche valet keys do this, but beware of the newer valet keys. They are NOT spare keys. In addition to not opening the storage compartment / glove box and trunk(s), they don't have the code or full code in them and will not activate the fuel pump. The idea is to keep the valet from getting too far if they drive off in your car. I had a friend who misplaced his main key and after using his spare key he had the car die a block or two away. Not the way you want to learn about this...

Actually, Porsche refers to it as the "spare key". For those of us with older, first generation 996's, there is no glove box or trunk lid opening with any key.

The spare key head contains the same transponder as the primary key, and works the door locks (the old fashioned way) and ignition switch just fine. Car operates normally when using it.

[Davet18]

I had a problem with the little pushbutton switch breaking off the circuit board so I called my local dealer and they quoted $350 for a new key and programing. I figured I try soldering the switch back onto the circuite board and it worked. From what I have seen reading a number of posts dealers seam to charge whatever they want and there is no uniformity across the country. You are lucky to have a reasonable dealer.

Dave,

Just as with Will, I urge you to make sure you are talking apples and oranges with your dealer. If you simply inquire about "a new key", the dealer may think you mean the entire product: pre-cut metal shaft as well as the electronic head. These pre-cut shafts run in the $100 range by themselves .... probably even more from a non-discounting dealer. You, from what you have described, do not need the whole thing .... just a new head.

As for "reasonable dealer" .... other posts have shown that I was fortunate in the cost of mating the key to the car. As far as cost of parts goes, however, both I and Loren have pointed out that there are sources well below retail, both from Sunset Porsche (where Loren quoted them as selling the key heads in the $80 range) as well as eBay (where I got my key head).

The bottom line is that, unless one has a good deal more disposable income than I, one needs to be aggressive in pursuing the many good deals that are out there for parts for these cars. The local dealer is rarely the best deal. Tips as to where the best deals are, as well as technical info, are what drove me to find RennTech in the first place.

Kim I agree with you that you have to look at all options. I use Sunset for all my parts and perform all of the work up to day on my 99. However the few times I have checked with my local dealer the prices have been what I would consider unreasonable. $2200 for a 60,000 mile service. That quote is what caused me to look hard and also drove me to find Renlist. The information here is worth way more than the minor contribution.

[Loren]

...drove me to find Rennlist

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Certainly you mean RennTech.org ;)