Kenner Jurassic Park "Red Rex" - Broken mechanism

[kreativtek]

I've recently bought a used Jurassic Park "Red Rex". I think it has a broken mechanism, because when I press the lever inside its rib cage, the toy won't lift its head. Also, I can hear a strange clicking noise when I shake it.
There's another issue with the sound. Every time I insert the battery, the toy would not stop roaring until I pull the battery out.

Here is my question: does anyone know how to fix the mechanism inside this wonderful dinosaur without cutting it open?

[stargatedalek]

Sadly it sound like a mechanical issue and not an electronic one, meaning the only way to fix it would be to physically open up the dinosaur. It might be possible to cut it open in an unobtrusive way and then stitch it back together as if it were a plush, I've done this with a mechanical iguana made of similar soft plastic.

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

This is a very common problem with the Red Rex, mine's like that too, now. I don't know of anyone being able to fix it before. My suggestion is to take the batteries out and display it as is, but it is up to you.

[suspsy]

The mechanism on mine broke a long, long time ago as well.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I'm not sure any of the ones I've ever owned including the first one in 93' ever lifted the head..the mouth would open a bit but that was all. Does the foot stomp sound work?

I would think if it's roaring continuously there is either something broken pushing against the  button inside or it's malfunctioned in some other way.  You could open it up along the glue lines on the bottom and then re-glue once done. However judging by the issues mentioned the problems do not sound like ones easily repaired if at all. I do think your best bet is to make it a shelf piece.

If you do decide to try I would recommend asking around on JPToys.

[Dinomike]

I have two of those T.rexes and I opened one in order to fix it. The mechanism is concealed in a black plastic casing which I have yet to open. Fixing it without cutting the model open seems difficult. There's also some white fluffy filling inside it. Will try to post a pic if I have the time to go via my storage.

[EmperorDinobot]

It will require vast amounts of surgery.

[kreativtek]

I understand. Maybe I will just leave the Rex as it is. I didn't mean to play with it, after all. Some part of me, however, wishes it was in perfect condition, probably because of its huge sentimental value.

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I appreciate your help.

[Dinomike]

Hi, here's my other red rex opened. Will maybe use it for a diorama or something.

[kreativtek]

Could you please show me how it looks from the other side? I would especially like to see the lever, which opens the dinosaur's mouth.

[Dinomike]

Will try...I'll try to do it later today...

[Roselaar]

Very interesting to see how this classic toy looks from the inside.

[Horridus]

Very interesting to see how this classic toy looks from the inside.

I went through a few of these as a kid. My parents bought me one, it broke within a day or two of me owning it, so they went back to the shop and got a replacement. Then that one broke, so they had it replaced again. Then that one broke. After that, we all decided we'd had enough and I just played with it without the sounds.
When I was an older kid, and thought that I was over dinosaur toys (as if), I actually took it apart at one point. It's got a sort of 'armature' in part of it (the head and neck mostly, as you might expect), but it's mostly padding.
Oh, forgot to add - I now have a working one in my collection! Quite a find, and I do press the button sometimes...very carefully.

[Dinomike]

I continued opening my patient today and I was in for a real surprise! When I pulled the upper part off a small guy fell out from inside the dinosaur!!! It's been in the rex's belly for over twenty years! Maybe a prank by a factory worker? I like to think there is one in every rex!







The mechanism that connects the head to the button seems to have been a string or a very fragile cable. That explains why it has the tendency to break almost immediately.

[tyrantqueen]

Hahah, weird. Maybe it got in there by accident, in the factory.

[kreativtek]

@Dinomike Ha ha. Incredible! I wonder if there's one in my Rex too. As for the bowels, which part is responsible for opening the jaw? When I press the bely, I can feel a thin metal lever aligned vertically to the body. I see no such thing in your photographs.

[DinoToyForum]

The little man is funny, maybe the remnants of its last meal? Remind me, does this rex toy have an open gullet?

[Dinomike]

The little man is funny, maybe the remnants of its last meal? Remind me, does this rex toy have an open gullet?

Nope! That's why I was so surprised! It's the Bull T.rex that has that feature.

[Dinomike]

Hahah, weird. Maybe it got in there by accident, in the factory.

Haha!' Accidents' can happen when you mess with T.Rexes...!

[Dinomike]

@Dinomike Ha ha. Incredible! I wonder if there's one in my Rex too. As for the bowels, which part is responsible for opening the jaw? When I press the bely, I can feel a thin metal lever aligned vertically to the body. I see no such thing in your photographs.

I believe its next to my thumb. At least that's the only part. But whatever was attached to it is no longer there. I bought this second hand and it never functioned.