My wife washed one of our keyless entry remote and key in the washer. So now the remote does not work properly. So my question is can I buy one on ebay and remove replace the key part on it? and how much will the dealer charge to program it,can it even be programed, or do I need to fork out four hundred dollars for a new one?
thanks Rob,

 

Before spending money, gently open it up and wipe everything inside clean, as possibly the detergent has created a "film", which would explain the bad connection?

 

Quite some time ago one of my kids (little at the time) dropped my pager in the toilet. I took it out, dried it with a hair dryer and it worked fine. Just fyi.

 

I opened it up already and wiped it clean and still no luck. That is when I realized I can replace the inside part. I the used one can be reprogramed.

 

You have a switchblade key right? You have two components to that "key", the metal key with a spring and the remote, they come apart:
http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothr...114&page=1

Verify that the key works in the ignition, I don't think it is possible to damage this part. Provided this is the case, all you need is the remote half, but its like $80 at the dealer and you MUST buy it new and have it programmed with the service computer. It comes with programming numbers that cannot be looked up once used, Volvo safety and security.

I would suspect however that water and or detergent got into the buttons. To test this replace the battery, as it definately died while being short circuited. Then go ahead and click the light button a few dozen times, the pressure isn't important, just the repetition. Watch the tail lights, if it works even once, then all you have is fluid in the buttons themselves, another cleaning and drying should do the trick. Maybe put the PCB on a drying rack in the dryer at LOW heat.

If you do end up going to the dealer, ask them to keep the "dead" remote programmed to your car. Leave it set out in the air for a month or two, it very well might work, and, as you can read from the Swedespeed posts, you can easily put that into a earlier V70 remote case found on ebay for $5-10, and put it on the ring with the valet. Depending on your glovebox locking, this is effectly a good third key.

What washer do you have that can get water past the key's orings? That's a testiment to deap cleaning. Most of these remotes are waterproof to 5m