People Actually Put
Car Keys in the Microwave?

Why People Try the Microwave Trick

Here's the logic someone follows: "I accidentally put my car key in the washing machine. Electronics and water don't mix. I need to dry it out. The microwave dries things in seconds. I'll pop the key in the microwave for 30 seconds."

This is catastrophically wrong thinking — about as smart as drying your phone in the tumble dryer. We've seen it all at Scarborough Auto Locksmith: microwaved VW fobs, microwaved BMW keys, microwaved Ford transponders. Every single one was destroyed beyond repair.

What Happens When You Microwave a Car Key Fob

You Microwaved Your Key. Now What?

It's dead. The transponder chip is fried, the remote's circuit board is shorted, and your car won't start. You need a new key. Here's your next step in Scarborough:

1. Stop tinkering. Don't try to open the fob up and "fix" it. The chip is dead — no amount of soldering will bring back a microwaved transponder.
2. If the key still has a metal blade: You can unlock the door manually with the physical key. But the car won't start — the immobiliser chip was in the fob, and it's toast.
3. Call us on 01723 817140. We need the vehicle's make, model, year, registration, and your V5C logbook. We'll come to you, cut and programme a brand-new key, and have you driving again — usually within the hour.
4. Get a spare made. While we're there, ask us to programme a second key. It's cheaper to do both in one visit than to call us out again six months later when you lose the only one.

What to Do If You Washed Your Car Keys (Instead of Microwaving)

If you've just pulled your keys out of the washing machine — and you haven't reached for the microwave yet — here's the right approach:

1. Remove the key immediately. The shorter the soak, the better the chance of survival.
2. Remove the battery cover and take the battery out. A wet battery will corrode the contacts.
3. Pat the key dry with a soft cloth. Paper towels work, but don't rub aggressively — you don't want to push water deeper into the seams.
4. Place the key in a sealed bag with silica gel packets (the little "do not eat" sachets) or uncooked rice. Leave it for 24–48 hours.
5. NEVER use a microwave, hairdryer, oven, or radiator. Heat kills the electronics faster than water ever could.
6. After 48 hours, insert a fresh battery and test it. If the car unlocks but won't start, the transponder chip may have survived — but don't bet on it. Call us and we'll check.

Key Fob Dead No Matter What? We Come to You

Whether you microwaved it, washed it, dropped it in the harbour, or it just died quietly in your pocket — if your key doesn't work, we fix it. We carry blanks and programming equipment for all major makes and models: Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Toyota, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Honda, and many more. We come to your location anywhere in Scarborough, Filey, Whitby, Pickering, Malton, and across North Yorkshire. Replacement key cut and programmed on the spot — usually in under an hour — for far less than the main dealer.