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Braille TeddiesI have a talking bear that is from the 80s. He is supposed to repeat what you say when you press his paw and his mouth is supposed to move, but he doesn't want to work since I got him. He doesn't look like he has been played with at all and he's basically in perfect condition except his voice box doesn't work. I figure it's probably something really easy to fix, but I can't find anyone brave enough to try it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
PennsylvaniaThe first thing to look at is batteries. Does he have batteries? Can you replace them? Are the batteries inserted correctly?
Be sure to replace his batteries with good, fresh ones and not ones you pulled from the junk drawer under the kitchen counter.
Secondarily, check the metal battery contacts. Be sure they are bright and shiny, not dull or corroded.
Carefully use a piece of sandpaper or an emery board nail file to clean the battery contacts. Then blow out all the dust.
Replace the batteries with new ones and try again.
If that doesn't work, his electronics are probably damaged. That means surgery and repair by somebody who knows electronics very well. Repairing most small electronic devices is a losing proposition, these days. Small electronics are designed to be easy to build cheaply, not easy to repair.
If his voice box doesn't work after changing the batteries, there's probably little you can do.
If you're lucky, you might be able to find a replacement for his voice box but that's a long shot.
Braille TeddiesWell, the batteries are new. I think it's on the inside of him.
PennsylvaniaDifferent talking Bears work in different ways.
Some Bears have compartments in their backs others have flaps under their bums that open up. Sometimes you can take his talk box out. Other times it is sewn inside.
If it is simply a battery or a contact, that's an easy fix. If it is the speaker, switch or microphone, that MIGHT be repairable but it depends on the Bear. If the electronics inside his talk box have gone bad, there is often little that can be done to fix that.
Without getting to visit with the Bear, in person, I couldn't really give any solid answers. You just have to sort of puzzle it out.
Braille TeddiesI got him fixed!! I took him to Radio Shack and they reconnected the wires in his paw. He has his voice back, yaaaay!!!
PennsylvaniaAll right! Now you're talking! 
Braille TeddiesWell, "Corduroy is definitely talking. I'd post a picture of him, but apparently my pics are too large for this site. I believe you are also on Teddy Bears Forum, so if you go there, you can see his pic.
The Littlest ThistleProbably one of Radio Shack's more unusual requests for the day 
Glad they were able to sort him for you
Braille TeddiesIt was definitely unusual. He was afraid to try it, but I told him that if he couldn't fix him, I would still have a teddy bear and he would still be able to cuddle with me even if he can't talk. I love this bear so much!!!
PennsylvaniaMe and all of Us Bears are happy that your Bear is fixed! 
The general arrangement of a talking Bear is to have a talk box situated in a pouch either in his back or under his bum. Some Bears have motors and mechanics that make their mouths and arms move. There is usually a speaker, a battery compartment and a switch. Often the switch is inside the Bear's paw. Sometimes it's in his tummy.
The most common problem with talking Bears is bad batteries or corroded battery contacts. Replacing the batteries and cleaning the contacts is the first thing to do. The majority of problems will be solved by doing this.
You can clean the battery contacts with a small piece of fine sandpaper or an emery board used to file your fingernails. Occasionally, you can use a pencil eraser. All you do is carefully rub the contacts until they are shiny again. Brush or blow away the dust and re-battery. 70% of the time the problem will be solved.
As you discovered, sometimes the wires connecting his paw switch come loose. A lot of the time it is because talk boxes are designed to be mass produced. They don't put a lot of time into making sure the connectors and wires have good strain relief. Wires often pull loose. If you are careful with the Bear when you replace his batteries, there will be less of a chance for this to happen. Even when you are careful, sometimes it just happens. But, if it does, reconnecting the wires usually solves the problem.
If you are lucky, the designers made your Bear's talk box using snap-on connectors so the box can be removed from the Bear while you replace the batteries. This will lessen the chance of problems. Better design equals better Bears, dontcha know! ;)
Probably the best thing you can do to preserve your talking Bears is to remove their batteries if you are not going to play with him for a prolonged period of time. Even the best batteries corrode and leak electrolyte all over the inside of the battery compartment. The corrosive chemicals can destroy the electronics that make the Bear talk or, at minimum, they'll make a mess that you have to clean up.
We have several talking Bears in our den. Many of them are Christmas Bears who sing Christmas carols or read "The Night Before Christmas." We usually take their batteries out until just before Christmas time. Then, when the Christmas tree goes up and the house gets decorated, we put new batteries in all the talking Bears.
This preserves the talking Bears from being damaged by leaking batteries and it also makes sure that every Bear gets to talk or sing at least once per year.
With a house full of talking Bears, it can sound CRAZY in our house at Christmas time!
