Accidentally washed key fob - expected replacement cost...?

flat-12

Member
Messages
120
Hello SportsMazzer Gang....the key fob to my 2013 QP 4.7 recently went through the washing machine. I can lock & unlock everything manually for now...no problem. But eventually I would like to get it working again. When this happened to my old 2007 Audi Q7 fob, I was actually able to buy another key fob and change out the transmitter portion and it worked. But this time I don't think I'll be so lucky. I'd imagine the replacement cost will be around $500 to $600 U.S. dollars. What are the typical replacement costs over there?

I need to clarify, my car is a QP5 but the vehicle title, emissions sticker...etc....show it as a 2013 model year. I assume there were some left over 2012 cars that Maserati sold as 2013. If anyone can shed some light on this...please do....
 

Oneball

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11,069
Have you tried taking it apart, giving it a rinse in clean water and putting a new battery in?
 

Wanderer

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5,791
I seem to remember a totally new key in UK was about £350 plus the cost of coding it which again I think is done at the main dealer - £500 all told?
 

Scaf

Member
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6,511
Your house insurance may cover this, mine covers lost keys as standard........ including car keys and I would imagine accidental damage.
Got to be worth checking.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
I would do as oneball says. The battery will be done as soon as it hits water.

Try the rice trick and just make sure it’s 100% dry...it’s worth a quid battery.
 

flat-12

Member
Messages
120
Hello ONEBALL.....I was not able to take the key fob apart. I tried carefully wedging shims in to separate the plastic housing, but it got to the point where I was worried about breaking it - so I did not proceed further. I read online that the trident symbol is removable and under it....there is a screw, but I was not able to do that either. I did not rinse key fob after I removed it from the clothes dryer, but I did install a new battery - no effect.

Hello SCAF......it never occurred to me regarding house insurance, I will look into that....thank you.

Hello CONAERO....it has been a week now, so I would assume the fob is totally dried out, but I will try the "rice trick" just in case....

My wife called Maserati in Atlanta and asked them to quote a new key fob, they put her on "hold" and never got back with her....this happened twice. She's as angry as a wet hornet now.....more of that great Maserati customer service.....
 

Arfa

Member
Messages
338
You can replace the battery without taking the case apart. If you remove this screw the battery holder can be move upward slightly and slid out to access the battery. If the car is starting the transponder is fine but if you feel that you do need to take the key apart you will need to heat the trident logo to loosen the glue, either using a hair dryer or putting it into the oven for a few minutes on a low heat. On the upside this will also help dry it out. I would try replacing the battery first.
55844
 

Arfa

Member
Messages
338
Oops. Just reread your posts and realised that you have already replaced the battery.
 

flat-12

Member
Messages
120
Thank You ARFA....so the trident logo is Glued on....that explains why it wouldn't budge when I tried to pry the case apart.
 

flat-12

Member
Messages
120
Just an update, miraculously....the key fob started working today! So I assume all of the moisture has evaporated....I'm just very happy that it works again! Maserati of Atlanta says they do not cut keys at their facility, they place an order for a new key using the VIN number of the vehicle. The cost for a new key fob is $500, with an additional cost of $200 to program it to the vehicle.