How to Fix a Wet Transponder Key
Car transponder keys may look robust, but they are full of delicate electronics and parts. If you accidentally get your key wet, say by dropping it in a puddle or running it through your washing machine in a pair of trousers, then you need to act fast. Once water gets inside the key's casing, it can damage parts and stop the key from working. While a short dip in a puddle may not do any harm if you dry the key off quickly, a longer immersion is likely to be a problem. What should you do if your transponder key gets really wet?
Try to Dry the Transponder Key
If you don't need to use your car immediately, then you can try to dry the key out. If your key has a replaceable battery, dry off the outside of the casing and open the battery compartment. Take out the battery and gently dab off any water you see in the key. Put some uncooked rice in a container and put the key in the rice so that it is covered. Rice absorbs moisture. If you're lucky, it will remove the water inside the casing before it can damage anything. Leave the key in the rice for as long as you can. Ideally, let it sit overnight. Then, take the key out, put in a new battery and see if it works.
If your transponder key has a rechargeable battery, then you probably can't open the casing without breaking the key. You can try a rice fix with these keys, but it's less likely to work. If rice doesn't fix the key or you can't open the casing, then you'll have to get a replacement. This is also the best solution if you need to use your car immediately and don't have time to dry the key out.
Get a Replacement Key
Car manufacturers and dealerships don't always make it easy to get replacement transponder keys. If your local dealership has one in stock and can program it for you, then this may get you on the road again. However, they may need to order a key, which is no help to you at all right now.
So, if you need to fix the problem fast, call local emergency locksmiths to find one who deals with car transponder keys. A mobile locksmith can come out with a spare key and program it to work with your car pretty quickly. Contact a business that provides this service for more information.