[PlymouthShelbyCuda86]

Whatever happened to the original Electronic Voice Alert -- which used the same Texas Instruments LPC sound chip used in that company's popular Speak & Spell toy -- that was used in select 1983-88 Chrysler and Dodge cars?

(as installed in this 1983 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country wagon)

I understand how annoying it was in the first year it was installed; 1984 and later models allowed the operator to turn it off via a switch inside the glove box (although they were usually encouraged to take the car to their nearest dealer to do so for liability reasons).

But, why did Chrysler stop offering the original EVA after the end of the 1988 model year?

~Ben

 

[DC-93]

It sucked.

 

[Dave Z]

If you want to learn about anything from Chrysler, don't watch Youtube.
Try a search like: site:allpar.com electronic voice alert

Chrysler Electronic Voice Alert (EVA): the talking car...

Chrysler Electronic Voice Alert (EVA): the talking car system A few years after creating the world's first electronic travel computer (showing the average speed and gas mileage, and estimated the range until running out of gas), Chrysler brought out the Electronic Voice Alert (EVA) system...

www.allpar.com

The basic answer is that most people did not like it.

 

[ImperialCrown]

There was a marketing study that supported it. The novelty of a talking car wore off quickly. The male voice was deemed tolerable.
The Chrysler Conquest/Mitsubishi Starion used a female voice.
Chimes were better than buzzers.

Impersonal audible/visual Message Centers won out.

 

[valiant67]

When they had to add an off switch, it was obvious the option wasn’t well received.

 

[Doug D]

I always cracked up when it would say, "A door is ajar.". No, it's not. It's a door!

 

[Dave Z]

When they had to add an off switch, it was obvious the option wasn’t well received.

Go back and read the Allpar story

 

[Fast Eddie]

Had an 84 Lebaron with that system. I was so happy when it told me my door was a jar.

 

[M. Packard]

Sorry folks. This digs up memories of the Car Alarm skit on The Kentucky Fried Movie.
<checks zipper>

 

[Plymouthcranbrook]

regarding what happened to it, nowhere near enough.

 

[PlymouthShelbyCuda86]

I wonder what year Chrysler replaced "A door is ajar" with "Please close your driver/passenger door"? This at least applied to the EVA in the Chrysler Laser and Dodge Daytona, but I believe the K-cars still had the older EVA with "A door is ajar" through 1988.

This 1985 Chrysler Laser has the version of the EVA which says "Please close your driver/passenger door" but, again, I am sure that different message applied only to the EVA used in this and the Dodge Daytona.

~Ben