Talk boxes can fail for a number of reasons, most can be easily repaired but as spare parts are becoming harder to find, so are the chances of a successful repair.
MKI TALK BOXES – 1968 Talking Commander (These are the ones where the string pulls out of the chest)
Common faults
Talks too fast or too slow
Sound is muffled or very quiet
Cord pulls and retracts at normal speed but no sound
Cord pulls and retracts really fast
Cord is jammed and wont retract
Cord is jammed and wont pull out
Cord is missing or inside the torso
Repairing these is more often than not a labour of love, as the time it takes to strip down the box replace the damaged parts, clean everything up and get it working as it should can run into many hours.
Replacing the pull cord on the MKI talkbox using one of our replacement cord kits
The MKI Talkbox is found on the earlier issue Action Man/GI Joe Talking Commander
MKII TALK BOXES – 1970’s Talking Commanders (These are the ones where the string pulls out of the shoulder)
Common faults
Talks too fast or too slow
Sound is muffled or very quiet
Cord pulls and retracts at normal speed but no sound
Cord pulls and retracts really fast
Cord is jammed and wont retract
Cord is jammed and wont pull out
Cord is missing or inside the torso
Repairing these is a lot easier than the MKI boxes as the parts are easier to access.
ELECTRONIC TALK BOXES – Battery operated Talking Commanders
Common faults
Talks too fast or too slow
Sound is muffled or very quiet
Cord pulls and retracts at normal speed but no sound
Cord pulls and retracts really fast
Cord is jammed and wont retract
Cord is jammed and wont pull out
Cord is missing or inside the torso
These are extremely difficult to repair as the electronic components are prone to failing and often it is difficult to diagnose where the fault lies.
