Why salt water is so harsh
Salt water is far worse for a fob than fresh water because the salt is highly corrosive and conducts electricity, so it can both short the circuit and eat away at the tiny components. Even after it dries, salt residue keeps corroding the board, which is why an ocean-dunked fob often works at first and then fails days later.
A plain metal key without electronics handles a dunk much better, though it may show surface rust. The emergency blade inside most fobs also survives the water and will still unlock your door by hand while you deal with the chip and buttons.
What to do right after
If you recovered the fob, act quickly. Open it, remove the battery, and rinse the parts in clean fresh water to wash the salt away, then blot and let everything air dry fully for a day or two. Skip the hair dryer and oven, since high heat warps the plastic and the board.
Test it with a new battery only after it is completely dry. Be cautious about relying on a fob that took an ocean swim, especially if it is your only key, because the hidden corrosion can cause it to quit at the worst time.
Getting a reliable key again
If the fob is gone in the surf or no longer trustworthy, a mobile locksmith can come right to the beach lot or your home and make a new key for most vehicles, even when all keys are lost. We identify the correct key for your year, make, and model, cut it, and program it so the car starts before we leave.
Bring a photo ID and proof of ownership so we confirm we are helping the rightful owner. We serve every beach and lot in Palm Beach County, so a key lost to the waves does not have to wreck your whole day.
Still have a key or fob question?
Tell us your year, make, and model and we will confirm exactly what your vehicle needs before we head out.