Key trouble

[vannabe]

My dopy girlfriend has only gone and thrown my jeans in the washing machine and then dried them with my only key in the pocket.I've tried the key in the ignition and all the lights come on but the flashing red light above the dials would indicate the chip is knackered and a signal isn't being recieved.I took the key to my local dealer and they said that i would have to get the van to them so they can programme a new key in.
Is this really the case??

[MrMPuk]

Afraid so.

[AndyG]

Have you not opened it up, checked/dried it inside and checked the battery

[vannabe]

:idea: Have you not opened it up, checked/dried it inside and checked the battery

I've looked at that and it looks like it's a sealed unit,i can't get onto it,which begs another question,if i need a new battery in the future do i have to pay for a new unit aswell??

[MrMPuk]

The batteries in these are charged from the ignition so don't need replacing. The chip part of the key is not powered by a battery though as it is an RFD.