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[Toledodude1973]

Managed to leave my key [3 BUTTON TYPE} in my overalls and they got washed at the cleaners. Happy to see it again after massive house search but wont function remotely any more. Its dry inside and tried new battery. I can open doors using keyhole and then start car to stop alarm . So chip still works ,but is there a way of fixing remote part or replacing that part without new programming?
thanks for any help Paul

[Doctor Gollum]

Easy enough to replace, but it will need programming 

[Toledodude1973]

is this a main dealer job DG

[Doctor Gollum]

Given your location, probably... Unless you travel around a bit... Kevin Wood, TB, and Fuse 19 are the english Tech2 oofers... Hants, Northants and Nottingham respectively 

Serek may also be able to help

[zirk]

This is what I would do, not suggesting its going to work, but I would still try it.

take the PCB out of the Fob and wash it (both sides of the PCB) gently with warm water, a trace of Fairy Liquid and a soft toothbrush or similar, dry gently with a warm Hair dryer, dont leave to dry out on its own, when fully dry refit and retry, and if ness re sync the Fob via Ing. switch process. 

[TheBoy]

I am trying to avoid Ipswich currently.  So sorry, currently I can't help with programming.

[Toledodude1973]

Why would anyone avoid Ipswich
Thanks Zirk ill give it a try,does the PCB just click out? seems to be well attached

[Doctor Gollum]

Just pops out, but obviously be careful as heavy handed removal could snap it

[Toledodude1973]

ok thanks

[Enceladus]

I suggest that you don't wash the circuit board in water. See can you get some pure isopropyl alcohol (aka isopropanol), soak the board in it, lightly scrub with a toothbrush and then leave to soak overnight. Then remove and put on a kitchen towel in a warmish place (window sill) for a while to dry out. That should drive out any water and clean off any oxide residue that might short the circuits.

[Toledodude1973]

woo where do i buy some isapropanol?

[Enceladus]

woo where do i buy some isapropanol?

At £2.25 for 30ml delivered maybe worth a gamble? 30ml should be enough to submerge the circuit board and cheaper than I could post you some. Not a catastrophe if it doesn't work. Or try an electronics supplier. Or ask around.

[Bigron]

Your local pharmacy shoul have IPA in stock, but may want you to buy more than you need!
I used to use it to play vinyl on a posh record deck as it dries without leaving a residue.

Ron.

[aaronjb]

Less than a tenner can get you more than you'll need for the rest of your life, delivered..

I did the same thing once with the fob for my Renault 19 16v .. guess the French electrics must be made of sterner stuff, because that started working once it dried out

[Kevin Wood]

If you can't get IPA, meths will do. Or gin, most likely. 

Once it's thoroughly dried out (leave it in the airing cupboard for a few days if in doubt) then a new battery and you'll probably need to re-sync it.

If memorry serves you need to turn the ignition on and press the buttons a few times,

[aaronjb]

If you can't get IPA, meths will do.

Cor, you Pale Ale drinkers like the hard stuff too eh?!

[Kevin Wood]

If you can't get IPA, meths will do.

Cor, you Pale Ale drinkers like the hard stuff too eh?!

Hmm. Did I mean to put meths before Gin on the list? What's that saying about me?

[zirk]

If you can't get IPA, meths will do. Or gin, most likely. 

You really need to sort your Drinking Habits out Kevin, IPA is only £1.99 a Pint at the local Whetherspoons, so much more suitable attire than drinking the Meths Beverage

[Toledodude1973]

i'll give it a try when iso delivered and will report back
thank you all for help

[Andy H]

I wonder if water has penetrated the switches?

I would expect everything else on the board to be impervious to water 

[Enceladus]

I wonder if water has penetrated the switches?
I would expect everything else on the board to be impervious to water 

Yes it will have.
Immersing the circuit board in pure (99% or better) IPA should drive out the water. It also evaporates quickly and leaves no residue.
The switches can probably be de-soldered and replaced fairly easily. If it can be established that the switches are the problem.

The gentle scrub first with a toothbrush and IPA should clean off any oxide that's shorting out anything else.
The 3V battery cell will be discharged and needs to be replaced.

Bombay Sapphire or Gordon's won't work as it's 60% water.
The solution that Bigiron used to improve the sound of his Bay City Rollers records was likely diluted with 50% distilled water.
Proper methylated spirit is worth a shot if no pure IPA is to be had. But might contain impurities and leave a residue.

However nobody should invest too much cash into this. It might not work if one of the components and/or the board is corroded or damaged.

[Lizzie Zoom]

No one seems to have mentioned him, but Martin Imber has been repairing / replacing Omega fobs for years.  I suggest you try him:
http://www.imber.me.uk/keyfob.htm

 

[Toledodude1973]

Lizzie would this mean i still have to reprogram with tech 2 wouldn't it?

[Lizzie Zoom]

Lizzie would this mean i still have to reprogram with tech 2 wouldn't it?

I cannot answer that one, but Martin I am sure can advise.

I am certainly no expert on these fobs. I however do not understand some of the answers you have had about the need to re-programme / tech 2 the electronic board if replaced.  This can be replaced by Martin if damaged permantly without any programming, as it is the chip in the main body of the fob that if damaged / replaced needs to have that done. As the chip is completely enclosed in plastic water cannot affect it, so if this has not been compromised you only need to sort out the board.

[Toledodude1973]

Chip is fine as it starts the engine, i understood the circuit board needed programming to the central locking

[Lizzie Zoom]

Chip is fine as it starts the engine, i understood the circuit board needed programming to the central locking

As I said, I am no expert. All I know on that point is that I have swapped around the boards between fobs from my spares box, along with those supplied by Martin, and they just work if the original chip is still in place.

Wait now though for further advise from others who know more about fobs

[zirk]

I thought  the initial PCB (Remote Fob) needs original Coding to the Car, and I dont mean the Imob Chip or the Fob re-sync feature.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Chip is fine as it starts the engine, i understood the circuit board needed programming to the central locking

It does.
Martin Imber can replace the switches or the casing if its damaged. If you replace the board it will need programming via tech 2. 

[Toledodude1973]

Soaking in isopropanol as we speak which arrived this morning so i'll give it a try after a clean and a dry out in the airing cupboard
Thanks Migv6 for clearing up programming

[Toledodude1973]

unfortunately the key fob treatment was unsuccessful thanks for trying to help everyone

[zirk]

unfortunately the key fob treatment was unsuccessful thanks for trying to help everyone

Did you re Sync it whilst in the Ing. afterwards?, all the buttons work and LED lights up as they should etc.

There pretty robust things, assuming all the Buttons and Battery contact are working correctly.

[TheBoy]

Looks like I might have to go to Ipswich next week .Bugger, bugger, bugger.

Do you have the carpass?

[Steve B]

Looks like I might have to go to Ipswich next week .Bugger, bugger, bugger.

Do you have the carpass?

Oh it's a lovely place go for it..you will enjoy yourself. 

[Toledodude1973]

I haven't a carpass as a few years back with OOF help i had to change ECU and key chips and bit under steering wheel, i guess that means im knackered TB?
I did resync in ignition Zirk and my fob has no LEDS thanks all

[Andy H]

I haven't a carpass as a few years back with OOF help i had to change ECU and key chips and bit under steering wheel, i guess that means im knackered TB?
I did resync in ignition Zirk and my fob has no LEDS thanks all

There is still a good chance of water in the switches preventing them from operating normally.

I don't know how handy you are with a soldering iron. Assuming that you don't have some new switches handy I would desolder the old switches and use a paper clip or similar to try to trigger some response.

[Andy H]

Also worth checking that the battery terminals have not broken away from the board due to being churned around in the wash

[Gaffers]

Your local pharmacy shoul have IPA in stock, but may want you to buy more than you need!
I used to use it to play vinyl on a posh record deck as it dries without leaving a residue.

Ron.

Don't whatever you do ask the local pharmacist for rubbing alcohol or IPA, you often get a 'huh?' in response.  Ask them for all the medical disinfectant they have and go from there.

Medical knowledge has obviously been replaced with label/product knowledge as selling guff other than medical wares has become the priority.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Also worth checking that the battery terminals have not broken away from the board due to being churned around in the wash

Yep, it has always been those connections that have resulted in me using the services of Martin Imber

[Toledodude1973]

ill give him a shout

[TheBoy]

Also worth checking that the battery terminals have not broken away from the board due to being churned around in the wash

Yep, it has always been those connections that have resulted in me using the services of Martin Imber

Its easy/cheap to diy.

I was doing that nice Mr Gixers fob the other day. Which reminds me, I need to do another of his.

[TheBoy]

Looks like I might have to go to Ipswich next week .Bugger, bugger, bugger.

Do you have the carpass?

Oh it's a lovely place go for it..you will enjoy yourself. 

I've managed to get out of it.

Apparently a server that's dying fast is a lower priority than some box ticking project management wank.  I decided not to argue the point beyond the basic facts, in case they agreed that it will butt-fcck 'em when it dies, and I have to go to bloody Ipswich to sort it.

[Doctor Gollum]

Looks like I might have to go to Ipswich next week .Bugger, bugger, bugger.

Do you have the carpass?

Oh it's a lovely place go for it..you will enjoy yourself. 

I've managed to get out of it.

Apparently a server that's dying fast is a lower priority than some box ticking project management wank.  I decided not to argue the point beyond the basic facts, in case they agreed that it will butt-fcck 'em when it dies, and I have to go to bloody Ipswich to sort it.

Which you will when it rolls over

[TheBoy]

Looks like I might have to go to Ipswich next week .Bugger, bugger, bugger.

Do you have the carpass?

Oh it's a lovely place go for it..you will enjoy yourself. 

I've managed to get out of it.

Apparently a server that's dying fast is a lower priority than some box ticking project management wank.  I decided not to argue the point beyond the basic facts, in case they agreed that it will butt-fcck 'em when it dies, and I have to go to bloody Ipswich to sort it.

Which you will when it rolls over

Nah, the webbed feet brigade that run the place can fix it (only they can't, piss up in breweries is several steps too far for them).  I'm hoping it will last another 10 days, because then I'll be on holibobs, so becomes even less of my problem

[Doctor Gollum]

Ah yes... That special blend of CBA and DILLIGAF

[zirk]

Nah, the webbed feet brigade that run the place can fix it (only they can't, piss up in breweries is several steps too far for them).  I'm hoping it will last another 10 days, because then I'll be on holibobs, so becomes even less of my problem

Bring Me back a couple of Cans of Adnams Broadside please (5L Mini Kegs).