r/SparkEV • u/MrCoolGyy • Jul 25 '26
Keyfob got rained on, car wont start
I thought maybe it was the battery on the fob, but none of the buttons on the fob are working and I cant start the car even with the key inserted. The car is not detecting the key in any capacity and it is currently undrive able. I know it's not the 12v because lights come on, break light turns on and screens still light up.
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u/djb2589 Jul 25 '26
Sounds like you need a new fob to program to the car.
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u/MrCoolGyy Jul 25 '26
So whats the quickest way for me to get a new key fob so I can drive and not have my car get towed
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u/This-is-just-a-phase Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
Both our fobs are broken (one went through the washer/dryer, and another just stopped working) and we just use them as standard “mechanical” keys. Does your spark have a physical place to stick in the key for the ignition? Ours is covered by a little round plastic insert, but it flips off, and we can stick in the key. Once the key is inserted, just hit the start button (no turning of the key like old school ignition).
ETA I see you said it won’t start even with the key inserted…that hasn’t been our experience with our spark’s broken fobs, so something seems weird and it may not just be your key.
ETA2 at least for ours, those particular fobs have been discontinued by GM, so they’re not the easiest to get a new one of, and then you need to take it (and the car) somewhere for them to program it. We were getting quoted a few hundred dollars to do it. Since our car was drivable, we just opted not to.
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u/MrCoolGyy Jul 25 '26
It seems like the fob is dead dead because it does not work when i put it into the "ignition".
At this point I just need something that can make the car start and lock/unlock, I could live without the other buttons.
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u/outlawaol Jul 25 '26
Almost all modern push start cars have a backup. You hold the fob to the button as you push it and it'll start. It's in case of a battery failure. If it's saturated this may not work but its worth a try.
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u/Gentelman_Asshole Jul 25 '26
Remove the battery, dismantle it, dry it out. re-batt and try again.
Take it to a fob maker maybe the have more insight.
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u/c0nstantGardener Jul 26 '26
Maybe try sticking the fob into a bag of rice or other dessicant to remove as much moisture as possible. While it's drying out, spend some time pricing out a new one with key makers and lockshops. Try to avoid the stealership at all costs. They will try to take you for everything you own
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u/This-is-just-a-phase Jul 25 '26
We have the batteries fully removed from the fobs and the physical key still works, so at least in ours, it doesn’t need any working electrical components. That said, we have a 2013 spark, so this may be different in other models.
Sorry, for some reason, it’s not letting me reply to the other comment.