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Cleaning the electronics / circuit board fixed my key fob

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by treed678, Jul 4, 2017.

  1. treed678

    treed678 Junior Member

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    Was frustrated last week when my remote quit working. I replaced the battery, showing 3 volts, with a new one, 3.2 volts and no change. Re-programming had no effect either. Would never get the "confirmed" lock/unlock in the final step.


    Started pricing replacements, minimum $55 (Amazon & eBay) WITH the electronics [don't be confused or misled by shell/case only items! $10-30 range]. Then I thought, what the heck... "let me just brush it off with a toothbrush and see what happens. It'll take 10 minutes ...better than just forking over $55 and waiting for a replacement." Well... it worked! No re-programming necessary. Thought this might be useful for anyone in the same situation.
     
    #1 treed678, Jul 4, 2017
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  2. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    It may not work for long.
    Isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip work better......followed by a thorough drying before putting the battery back in should produce results that will last longer.
     
    #2 Sam Spade, Jul 4, 2017
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't know anything about pc boards. what is happening that 'cleaning' helps?
     
    #3 bisco, Jul 4, 2017
  4. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    Many remotes become contaminated from the oil on your finger tips.
    Yes, over time it will migrate from one side of that rubber membrane to the other side.

    But there are other things, including wear of the contact points and even maybe a bit of contamination left over from when they were made.
     
    #4 Sam Spade, Jul 5, 2017
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks, and alcohol will clean all this up?
     
    #5 bisco, Jul 5, 2017
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Alcohol makes a lot of things better.
     
    #6 xliderider, Jul 6, 2017
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  7. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    Often yes.
    Until it gets TOO bad.
     
    #7 Sam Spade, Jul 6, 2017
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