Kenner Knight 2000 Voice Car Restoration - In-Depth Repair Guide For KITT's Voice Box - Vintage 1983

Michael Knight, a lone crusader in a dangerous world., the world of the Knight Rider.
Finally, I've managed to import a vintage Kenner Knight 2000 Voice Car from the states. And it's about time as my Kenner Michael Knight has been missing his buddy KITT.
But, there are some problems...
KITT's lost his voice!
Some of his paintwork needs some work!
The back axle has seen one too many jumps!
In this video we restore KITT and provide a full in-depth repair guide for KITT's voice box. At the end of this, you'll know everything there is to know about how it works and repair it. Especially fixing that annoying problem where some phrases do not play at all, or some phrases are repeatedly played.
During the repairs, KITT is dismantled , cleaned, repaired and re-assembled.
And al of KITT's six phrases are revealed !!
Kenner Knight 2000 Voice Car Restoration - In-Depth Repair Guide For KITT's Voice Box - Vintage 1983
#vintagetoys #restoration #knightrider
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[@komradbuttercream7026]

Thanks for posting this repair. I got my KITT working only because of this video. Kudos.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! Appreciate the comment and glad to hear your KITT is now working 👍

[@KRHExclusives]

So excellently done! The Knight Rider Historians salute your work here, and this great video!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! I've heard of the Knight Rider Historians via the RetroRecipes KZbin channel. I'm honoured!! 👍

[@agentkkerryhoagland4801]

I’m a big night raider fan myself. I used to have that toy car that you’re talking about and showing. And it also had a Michael night character action figure. I used to play with it a lot. I pray and hope that someday they come out with cars that drive themselves. So I could live a free and independent life like anyone else. I would love to have a car with kits a voice on it. That would be so awesome 3:13

[@VintageToyRush]

Nice! Glad this video brought back memories for you! I don't think it'll be too long before we have reliable self driving cars, AI is moving forward at an incredible pace. KITT will soon be a reality. There's a KZbin channel called 'Retro Recipes' who has been making a modern KITT with a Tesla including replicating the voice etc. If you haven't seen those videos it's worth giving them a try 👍

[@agentkkerryhoagland4801]

@@VintageToyRush thank you very much for that information. As a matter fact I think I have that channel. And I’ve been watching it so thank you very much. I appreciate it

[@rogerdalton1549]

Awesome, I was lucky enough to get one of these as a kid. I never knew how the voice system worked, thanks for the very good explanation - I never would've guessed!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! 👍 Yeah we take circuit boards for granted now but back then it was all mechanical 🤘

[@SHABBYGEEK22]

So, I'm sat with Lucy watching your new video. She asked what you were doing and I explained you were taking apart a vintage toy and is going to restore it. She thought about it, then said "is this why we do he-man videos, because you can't do this!" 🤣🤣 I nearly fell off my chair!

[@VintageToyRush]

LOL 🤣🤣🤣 Lucy is funny!! And there's a reason I don't do MOTU videos - cause I can't compete with Lucy's expert knowledge!!! 🤘 Thank you Shabby and Lucy for watching me take things apart 🙏

[@SHABBYGEEK22]

@@VintageToyRush we'll always be watching my friend!

[@BlackArroToons]

Great job figuring out how to restore the mini record player and set up to get Kitt talking again in this vintage classic vehicle. Thanks for showing the workings of it all.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!! 🤘 Had fun with this one! 👍

[@FraDonaghyMusic]

Fantastic job. I never had a KITT but I loved the show. Great video Dave!

[@VintageToyRush]

Yeah, as soon as you hear the intro music, you're hooked! Thanks!! 🤘

[@UsualmikeTelevision]

Well done Dave, this KITT looks and sounds brand NEW. Great Video!

[@VintageToyRush]

Hey Mike!! 🤘 Thanks, I really enjoyed this restoration! Just need to find some shelf space to display it now 🤣

[@Chasing80sToys]

Excellent restoration and a top nostalgic toy. Now I want to rewatch the series again.

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Chris! 🤘 Funny you say that, I purchased Series 1 on Amazon Prime! 👍

[@kieronball8962]

Great restoration video and project, Dave.

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Kieron!! 🤘 Appreciate it! 👍

[@keeponcollecting]

Perfect Dave! My KITT has lost his voice too!! Earlier this year I could find no restoration video. Now I have yours and I feel I can attempt a restore on my KITT too. So thank you , thank you, thank you. Really brilliant video and so impressed with the detail you show. Off to get a battery testing kit and on with the restore 😉😎👍👍

[@VintageToyRush]

Awesome!! Fingers crossed you can restore KITT's voice! It's a fun resto. You can always ping me if you need any help 👍 Look forward to hearing the results, literally 🤣

[@keeponcollecting]

@@VintageToyRush thanks Dave, will do mate 😊

[@ReynoldsReviews]

Dude!!!! Yet another inspirational restoration, your ability to understand, assess and then repair these vintage toys is quite unbelievable. Brilliant watch once again mate and I’m in ore of what you’re producing 👍👊

[@VintageToyRush]

Ah thanks Luke!! 🙏 I just take stuff apart, always have done, love it! 🤣 And hopefully these videos can become a reference for others 👍 Now if only there was a faster and easier way to edit!! Thanks once again for all your support 🤘 ps I'm in awe of how you manage to produce a video every week, and just do it naturally!!

[@ReynoldsReviews]

@@VintageToyRush you’re to kind mate, basic videos mate, that’s the secret lol , but thank you for your support to my friend 👍👌

[@geekstrong1]

Great video!! I actually just repaired 2 troop transport yesterday, I purchased one for $15 over the weekend but what I am most excited about this video is I have a Kitt car and it's not working and watching this video I'll give it a fix and hopefully it works again.

[@VintageToyRush]

Oh cool! I've been looking for a cheap broken troop transport to see how similar it is to KITT, but they're all so expensive here in the UK!!! Good luck fixing your KITT, it's a really cool car! 👍

[@TeZXSpectrum]

What an amazing fix our Dave. Great detective work tightening that screw. Makes me want to fix my Troop transport. 💥💥💥💥💥

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Tez!! 🤘 Now it's funny you say that cause I've been looking for a Troop Transport whose sound requires fixing. I'm intrigued to see how similar it is to KITT 🤣

[@ZeroHunterToys]

Awesome fix and clean up Dave. Was surprised that it didn’t have any sort light in the front .

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Matt! 🤘 Yeah, am wondering if someone out there has made a custom sweeping light - it would look awesome 👍

[@jeff72_]

Great job Dave and remember, don't hassle the Hoff!

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Jeff! 🤘 Ah yes, first rule of Knight club! Don't hassle the Hoff! 🤣

[@jeff72_]

Absolutely 😎😁

[@marklaurenzi1609]

Hammers on a vintage toy! Oh the humanity!

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha ha!! I'm expecting the vintage toy police any time now 🤣

[@andystoysandmodels9582]

Great to watch mate!! Liked you saying this is the tricky bit putting the band back on the motor. You did in in seconds 😂. Really enjoyed this! 👍

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Andy!! And now you have the very Michael Knight that stars in this video 🤘 BTW, it's all camera tricks!! I lost count of how many times I put that band back on the motor 🤣

[@imm311]

Great video! God bless you and yours! Praying for you!

[@sembianteful]

What a beautiful restoration Dave 👏 don’t worry about the vintage toy police friend 🚨 we love it when you bash things !! 💥👊😝

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks RawZaf!! 🤘 I've managed to escape the vintage toy police so far 🤣

[@Blackedoutewoks]

Great job on the restoration of such an iconic 80s car 🚗 very enjoyable to view 🥸

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks BOE!! 🤘 Appreciate that! Really enjoyed digging in and fixing this one 👍

[@CamdenBloke]

When I was a kid, I removed the 'KNIGHT 2000' stickers from the door, because the car on the show didn't have such markings. I recall them being just stickers.

[@VintageToyRush]

I've never seen stickers on the Knight 2000 doors before. It's possible they changed approach during the manufacturing run 👍 Either way, I admire your desire to have an accurate looking KITT back in the day 😎

[@Rob-ky2cl]

Great restoration 👍🏻

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Rob!! 🤘 Appreciate it! 👍

[@huskydad72]

Thanks for making this video. Just managed to finally purchase a Kitt from eBay that isn't working. So I'm going to use your tips to hopefully fix it.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!! 👍 Congrats on picking one up and good luck in your restoration. Any questions, feel free to ask 😎

[@sembianteful]

Another brilliant trans-formation ! Amazing job as always Dave 👏

[@VintageToyRush]

I see what you did there RawZaf 🤣 Cheers! 👍

[@shmeca77]

Merci!(Thank you!) I followed all your advice and I managed to make this extraordinary toy work and look beautiful! Your tips helped me save time and understand how it works quickly. Thank you again!😁😁😄

[@VintageToyRush]

Thank you!! I really appreciate your comment and am happy to hear you have restored your vintage KITT. It makes the effort of producing this video all worthwhile 👍 Enjoy your KITT 🤘

[@mikesmith2718]

So mad I tried last year to fix the voice box and couldn't so I sold it . Now this video pops up and I'm kittless lol

[@VintageToyRush]

Oh no!! I do wish I had created many of these restoration videos years ago!! There's always another KITT to find 👍

[@marklaurenzi1609]

Love the motor working. I love it when a plan comes together!

[@VintageToyRush]

Yeah, 99% of the time the old motors just need some encouragement 👍 Michael Knight, the fifth A-Team member 🤣

[@Horler86]

Excellent work, great video

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!! 🤘

[@marklaurenzi1609]

Pretty clever way to randomize tracks!

[@VintageToyRush]

Yeah, so simple!! Of course, it's only simple when you know how it works! Definitely clever design 👍

[@loganjorgensen]

That is interesting, been looking over the history of talking toys and seeing how the technology evolved, this variant is pretty close to what they used for early talking inside real cars. The speed slider is a great addition to that technology. I could see how this might evolve towards something like a disk drive, seeking a track rather than a random selection, I guess that's what the real car version does but much more expensive. A very nice toy and quite detailed, would have loved that as a kid. In retrospect it looks like the axle assembly could have been made sturdier and the decal on the button is just asking for it to wear and fall off from use heh.

[@VintageToyRush]

Back in the day, they prioritised price over quality (actually that's still the same today for most mass produced toys), so after decades things like the axle are likely to bend, and stickers were just a cheap solution. For me the record player used here is a great example of analog technology before digital took over. With digital you can pretty much do anything, but at this time the features depended on the ingenuity of some engineers 👍

[@loganjorgensen]

@@VintageToyRush Mainly I think kids push down on the axle while pushing the car forward, it is a common fault. Not knocking sticker decals, more like that particular decal would be rubbed so many times that a molded emboss and paint would have been better. The analog voice box was used for a very long time, in fidelity it actually took a while before digital was adequate enough to take over in both fidelity and cost factor.

[@ambassadorz]

Great videos. I own a real full size KITT replica. Fun to drive.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! 👍 Ah man that must be awesome to own and drive! Does it have KITT's voice? 🤘

[@marklaurenzi1609]

Brilliant job again Dave! Reminds me of mine as a kid!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Mark!! 🤘 We never had these in the UK back in the day! I would have loved one 👍

[@jackel440]

I remember having one of those when I was kid

[@VintageToyRush]

Oh cool! In the UK these weren't readily available back in the day, but of course that didn't stop us from enjoying the show! Thanks for watching 👍

[@MonkeyboysToys]

Awesome job dude 👍😎

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!! 🤘 Appreciate it!

[@jasonotoole1822]

Wow, fantastic work Dave! What an awesome restoration! I want one of these now! Great video and thoroughly entertaining to watch!

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers! It took a while to find one where I was happy with the price. And that was from the states - also many of them have missing doors 👍

[@keithhorning7753]

Pretty cool, I just love seeing how this stuff works. It seems it's quite similar to old pull string talking toys.

[@VintageToyRush]

Glad you liked this one! I've always loved taking things apart to see how they work 👍 Back in the day, they used the record player tech for all voice based toys - Action Man, Star Wars etc 🤘 Might have to dismantle a talking Action Man now 🤔

[@keithhorning7753]

@@VintageToyRush I've seen that somewhere, awhile back but you seem like you could build on it.

[@jedifyfe]

Great video

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! 👍

[@MisterBobot]

Great restoration!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Mr. BŌbot !! 🤘

[@MisterBobot]

@@VintageToyRush Your video production quality is really good... would you mind if I asked what type of equipment you use to film? I'm using 2 old cell phones for now... :)

[@VintageToyRush]

@@MisterBobot Well that's very kind coming from yourself! Your production is awesome with all your graphics and the robot dude! My equipment is simply an iPhone 12, two Neewer lights and a Rode lavalier mic. I'm surprised by the iPhone's camera. Lighting makes a big difference 👍And then a fair amount of time in editing - using Da Vinci Resolve (free).

[@MisterBobot]

@@VintageToyRush Thanks! I've been using ClipChamp, that's how I do some of the voices and animations. I really need a better cam, but I found an old phone for a 2nd angle shot, hoping it would add more interest to my videos. Thank you for the advice, I'm going to look into those lights you mentioned.

[@jacobmontgomery513]

I had one of those. It looks so good!

[@VintageToyRush]

We never got them in the UK back in the day! We missed out 👍

[@SmugglersCanyon]

Yet another fantastic restoration job done the master that is VTR Dave! Stunning job and so satisfying to see your methodical approach succeed. 👌🍻

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Christian! 🤘 Methodical, yes - Master, err 🤣 I just enjoy the process of diagnosing faults and fixing them! 👍 Thanks for watching as always, really appreciate the support!!

[@lowercentenary]

Cool nickname smugglers🙂

[@danielblodgett1]

I had one as a kid. I hope to fix my Kitt with the help of your video. i think if I just replace the wires from the battery to the motor and I should be fine. My model is a little different, the record box is held in by a rivit...this should be fine. I'll post my status here.

[@VintageToyRush]

Very nice. Good luck fixing your Kitt !! Didn't know there was a rivet used on some of them... let me know how you get on 👍

[@danielblodgett1]

@@VintageToyRush FIXED!!! It was a poor connection in the battery compartment and the record player rubber band wasn’t connected.

[@VintageToyRush]

@@danielblodgett1 that’s awesome!

[@kafkasvulture]

I'm needing to do this with my childhood toy. I am wondering what you used to lubricate the motor as well as what you used to clean the plastic parts. Thank you for an AWESOME video.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!! 👍 I always use Deoxit D5 on the motors - it's not a lubricant but it does a great job of cleaning the motor internals. For the plastic parts, you can use all sorts, from wet wipes to car polish. But be careful with the Knight 2000 text on the doors as that can easily fade if you clean that too much.

[@collin341]

Awesome vid and tech thinking on it , I just imagine what it'd look like with a polish

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers! 🤘 Yeah, one day I may have a go at polishing! Probably try it on something else first though 👍

[@christianlunderman6034]

i have one with the same problem. im going to use your guide ty

[@VintageToyRush]

Good luck restoring your KITT!! 👍

[@80s90sGuy]

I opened one of these KITTs up and the voice box unit was still in like a sealed plastic bag. 🤦‍♂️ I also got one working again by simply dropping it on the floor. Seems to of fixed it.👍

[@VintageToyRush]

I remember reading some instructions where they stated the box was indeed inside a sealed bag to keep the dust out!! but have never actually seen this. Now the dropping restoration technique is a new one for me 🤣 I guess it's in the same category as using a hammer!!

[@davecardoza4762]

Thanks for this video mate! I acquired my 1980s Talking KITT years ago but, I haven't work on it thus, I don't know if the voice box works. I'll be working on giving it a good shine to the plastic though to make it look like new. 👍

[@VintageToyRush]

You're welcome!! 🤘 Fingers crossed it all works - if it doesn't, it's most likely the motor just needs some encouragement. I've seen some very shiny KITTs 😀

[@davecardoza4762]

@@VintageToyRush mine is a bit shiny but it has a few scratches, a few mementos from all the adventures with Michael Knight. 😁

[@davecardoza4762]

@@VintageToyRush my friend. The motor works and I was happy. As I put it to work, the voice box doesn't say anything, nothing at all. The thingy that is supposed to be the speaker part has a few scratches in the plastic. Could it be that? I'm baffled. It's supposed to say the KITT phrases but, it's just silent. I hear the motor running and that's about it. What am I doing wrong Dave?

[@philheaton6826]

You didn’t happen to get a closeup pic of the voice box spring that returns the switch/pole (next to the needle arm spring). Mine is missing one. Cheers

[@VintageToyRush]

I had a quick look at the video and am not sure which spring you mean - I have a separate video on the Imperial Troop Transporter voice box which is very similar with lots of close ups which might help... kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2PNpHiul5yEd9E

[@BlueHToys]

I fixed the voice on mine but didn't film it 🤷🏻‍♂️ I wasn't very confident of fixing it. At least you have both doors 😆

[@VintageToyRush]

Nice! Hopefully you can get all the phrases 👍 I can see why the doors go missing, they're not really permanently fixed, are they!!

[@BlueHToys]

@@VintageToyRush no but they're pretty big to be lost 😆

[@davidstrider2007]

Awesome video. Love how descriptive and detailed it is. This brought back so many memories that I had to dig my old toy out of storage and work on it to get that K.I.T.T. voice back. I think my record may be damaged. When the record plays it skips from 1 track to another on some phrases. Example: "Call me K.IT.T. tracking scope" haha. Any idea of how to mend that so it plays correct? What did you clean your record with?

[@VintageToyRush]

Hey David, thanks! 🤘 Glad to have brought back some memories. It's possible your record is scratched, although unlikely if it's mostly been in the car all that time. Inspect with a magnifying glass to see if there's damage. Otherwise, there may not be enough pressure on the needle to stop it jumping from one groove to another. You can adjust with the top screw... I think I cover that near the end of the video. Otherwise it could just be grime. Clean the needle and the record - I used vinyl record cleaner but you can use anything really... a wet wipe is fine. Good luck and let me know how you get on 👍

[@davidstrider2007]

Dave, Thanks for the prompt reply. Yeah i tried all of these things already. But i haven't used vinyl cleaner yet. I will give that a go. When i put the record under my microscope i can see some light scuffs. Maybe from the screw being too tight some times. Is there anything I can layer over the record to form a barrier for the scratches? Or do i have to find another record? Thanks again. Have a great weekend!

[@annstevens6223]

I’m surprised the record player in yours wasn’t covered in a plastic bag. I took mine apart and it is covered in a plastic bag. Maybe this was an add on after complaints the internal components were getting wet from play.

[@VintageToyRush]

Yeah I was expecting a plastic bag too - perhaps it was added later as you say. I think it was for keeping dust out as the needle and record are low quality 👍

[@80s90sGuy]

Someone needs to 3D print the doors for these cars.... So many missing...

[@VintageToyRush]

Yeah, that's a good idea. The doors are not all that securely fixed to the car!!! 👍

[@literacylabyrinth4018]

This is great, i have this but voice is dead. I might have a look and see if its a similar problem.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! There's a good chance the motor just needs a nudge. Good luck 😎

[@JulesDesmond]

Great vid, Dave! What wipes are you using for cleaning in this?

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Jules! 🤘 They're just your typical wet wipes, although I did give the body a quick light rub with an actual car polish 🤣 One day, I might investigate how to achieve a real shine on plastic 👍

[@grimmomate]

Excellent video, I bought one of these a while ago in great condition but the negative battery contact is corroded and would need replacing as part a restoration. any advice on sourcing a replacement contact?

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! 👍 The ideal situation would be to find a cheap donor car, but that's probably unlikely. Otherwise, you can buy battery terminals on eBay etc where you could find a similar looking one which may need some modification to fit. An alternative is to remove the corrosion - see Toy Polloi's video on this kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqC9fIiphpuUpKM or custom build your own terminals, again Toy Polloi shows an example at kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmHLfZV-jth9prM - good luck 🤘

[@grimmomate]

Thank you so much for the response and advice

[@keepingitreal71]

If you restore another one... Let me know... I want one!

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha! If you're in the UK and you find a broken one, I would be happy to fix it for you! 👍

[@keepingitreal71]

@@VintageToyRush I am in the states... I am on disability... I would pay you in paymernts if need be..... You did a great job restoring it...

[@bucknekett34]

Amazing video. I believe mine is missing the spring that attaches inside from the license plate lever. Are you able to recreate the dashboard sticker and the sticker on the console? I have tried to find some reproductions, but no luck.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! 🤘 The license plate lever itself doesn't have a spring! It indirectly pushes against the spring that sits on top of the speaker - so if you have that one, you should be good 👍 If your license lever is floppy or doesn't "spring" back then there will be something missing within the voice box itself. Now, I've not done sticker creation myself, but Dave at Toy Polloi is very skilled at it. If we can find a scan of the sticker, it doesn't have to be perfect, I could potentially ask Toy Polloi to see if he can work his magic! Cheers!

[@bucknekett34]

@@VintageToyRush That would be absolutely amazing if you could ask him. I've asked around and surprisingly there were a bunch of people looking for them.

[@DRAGOINTHEHOUSE]

Awsome restoration , if you don't mind me asking how much was kitt? What's a good price for him ?

[@VintageToyRush]

As usual, it depends on condition! These days you're looking at $150 upwards. Some will have doors missing, some will be scratched or damaged, some will have a broken voice box or a corroded battery compartment. For a very good example with box expect to pay much more 👍

[@DRAGOINTHEHOUSE]

@@VintageToyRush thanx for the info, it seems like people are charging an arm and a leg for these now .

[@DRAGOINTHEHOUSE]

Finally got one , what did you use to clean the body?

[@VintageToyRush]

That's awesome!! First, I cleaned with a damp cloth to get rid of any grime. Be careful of the Knight 2000 lettering on the doors, they could rub off if wiped too heavily. Then used some actual car polish with a soft cloth to give a light polish of the plastic which should remove light scratches. Again, just lightly as the body plastic is quite soft. Is the voice box working and did you also find Michael Knight? 👍

[@DRAGOINTHEHOUSE]

@@VintageToyRush the battery compartment has corrosion, so that's something I hav eto clean, then see if it works first otherwise iam gonna have to fix the voice box as well , kitt also came with michael knight .

[@VintageToyRush]

@@DRAGOINTHEHOUSE Sounds like a good project 👍

[@jonboldrey5339]

Nice dave! But ur video 2yrs 2 late 4 me 😂🤣👍🇺🇸

[@BlueHToys]

You helped me mate 👍🏻

[@VintageToyRush]

Ah Jon! If only I could turn back time! 🤣

[@kidjim25]

What did you use to clean it?

[@VintageToyRush]

Believe it or not, car polish. Just a light buff by hand. Be careful around the side lettering as that will rub off 👍

[@user-nc3hg5uk1s]

Time for you to build a real knight rider car it's quite possible you could do it 😂👍

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha! I'd love that, not sure where it would be stored though 🤣

[@michaelknight8797]

all the hard work but this kitt vocie is not the original willam daniels voice..

[@VintageToyRush]

Not exactly sure what you mean, but the work was in restoring this vintage toy back to original working order. I don't know who's voice it is on the recordings, but it seems pretty close to me 👍

[@philheaton6826]

Speed needs dropping a little more.

[@VintageToyRush]

Possibly, it was a while ago since this was done 😎