Vibrator Repair

The most common problem problem with vibrators is that they..well..um stop vibrating :(

Firstly, replace the batteries with good quality alkaline batteries, the cheap batteries some times do not have enough grunt to get the motor humming.

Secondly, make sure the batteries are correctly aligned.

If these two steps do not fix the problem then the fault is probably one of four things.

1. The vibrator is not making good electrical contact with the battery terminals.
2. The vibrator switch / vibrator speed control is not contacting properly.
3. There is a break in the wires between the switch / vibrator speed control.
4. The motor has "burnt out"

Solutions

1. To improve electrical conductivity, place a small wad of aluminum foil between the vibrator contacts and the battery terminals. This is a delicate job, tweezers or long nose pliers might help getting in to those tight areas. If this solves the problem and the fault took a while to develop (2-3 months or more) see if you can remove the vibrators electrical contacts and clean them properly. You can get rid of the oxidation with a weak acid such as vinegar, polish the contacts with a silver jewelry tarnish remover or buff them up with an emery board or nail file.

   If the contacts do not come out easily or are embedded in the plastic, leave them in the toy and stay with the aluminum foil method of repair.

2. Vibrator switch / vibrator speed control problems are usually intermittent, that is they come and go, sometimes if you shake the vibrator or wiggle the switch or speed control you can get a buzz out of it. The switch or speed control is probably suffering from oxidation or another build up that is stopping the flow of electricity to the motor.

   The speed control looks like a tightly wound spring and usually are not that hard to remove. Pull the spring out and examine it, if there is a build up of gunk around it wash it in HOT soapy water, RINSE it and then ALLOW IT TO DRY before placing it back in its correct position. If the sliding or rotating switch shows signs of oxidation (looks a bit black or dull) rub with a cloth and a weak acid such as vinegar, polish the contacts with a silver jewelry tarnish remover or buff them up with an emery board or nail file.

3. If there is a break in the wires between the switch / vibrator speed control and the motor you are probably out of luck.

   If you can actually see that the wire is broken or not hooked up to where it is supposed to be you may be able to improvise a fix buy reconnecting the wires or re-soldering them (if you have a soldering iron)

   Otherwise you will need an electronic technicians electrical multi-meter AND you need to get to the electric motor itself. Manufacturers do not want the shaft to come away from the control end (just picture it in normal use and you will see the reason why) so gaining access to the motor and wires is extremely difficult and if you do fix it, putting it back together is just as hard. If you do try to fix the vibrator think long and hard about the type of glue you will use to stick it back together with, as the toy will be used intimately, do not use any thing that is toxic or water soluble, also some plastics and silicone do not react well with some adhesives....like I said before I think you are probably out of luck and will have to find a replacement :(

4. If the motor has "burnt out" that's bad, its the motor that vibrates, and a vibrator that will not buzz is just a dong. Even if you could find another motor, you would have to go through hell to install it (see solution 3) or wander in to your local electronic enthusiasts hobby shop and ask one of the geek's behind the counter to fit it for you.~I don't think so! Unfortunately it is time to buy another one :(