OnStar(R) - Generation 6 Service Procedures: Overview
INFORMATIONBulletin No.: 09-08-46-001
Date: April 09, 2009
Subject: Servicing Vehicles Upgraded to OnStar(R) Generation 6 Digital‐Capable System (Follow Information Below)
Models
Attention:
This bulletin is being issued to provide dealer personnel with information and the procedures to diagnose an upgraded OnStar(R) Generation 6 Digital-Capable system.
Program Overview
Since it was launched in 1996, OnStar� has relied on an analog wireless network to provide communication to and from OnStar-equipped vehicles. As part of an industry wide change in the North American wireless telecommunications industry, wireless carriers are transitioning to digital technology and will no longer support the analog wireless network beginning early 2008.
Effective January 1, 2008, OnStar(R) service in the United States and Canada will be available only through vehicles that are capable of operating on the digital network.
Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 05-08-46-006H for information about upgrading certain vehicles to digital service. Details were covered in both the November 2006 and December 2007 issues of TechLink, which are available in the Archives of the TechLink website.
Vehicles eligible for an OnStar(R) hardware upgrade are listed in this bulletin. Vehicle upgradeability can also be determined by typing the VIN into the field entitled "Determine VIN Hardware Functionality" on the OnStar(R) Online Enrollment website, located in the sales or service workbench tab of GM GlobalConnect. Canadian Dealers can use a similar tool that is available within the OnStar(R) Canada Online Enrollment site that can be accessed from the OnStar(R) Brand Resources in GlobalConnect.
Access to the sales and/or service workbench in the GM GlobalConnect website can be granted by the dealership's Partner Security Coordinator (PSC). If you are unsure who the PSC is, check with the Sales Manager.
General Information
1. The first step is to verify if the OnStar(R) account is active or not. This can be done by pressing the blue OnStar(R) button and connecting to the OnStar(R) call center. Analog only accounts are no longer active. Only digital upgraded accounts will be active. On Gen 6 digital systems, a clear, or "dark" LED may indicate that the OnStar(R) system has been deactivated or may possibly have a no power/no communication condition.
2. If the account isn't active, the next step is to verify what version of OnStar(R) module is in the vehicle. This can be done via the Tech 2 (Body>VCIM>Module ID Information>Module Information 2) or by using www.onstarenrollment.com.
3. A Generation 5 or older analog module can be diagnosed by following the original electronic Service Information developed for the model year of the vehicle.
Note:
If the customer has an old analog module, the vehicle can be repaired by replacing the module, but the customer cannot have an active account without upgrading to a digital module.
4. Modules, antennas, brackets, and other equipment are in the same location, whether original analog production or digital upgrade.
5. An upgraded vehicle may also have a new vehicle communication interface module (VCIM) bracket. If it does, order the new bracket when replacing the bracket. Don't order the original bracket. The kit may also include a small wiring jumper cable. If it does, this jumper will be required for a new module replacement. Do not discard.
6. After replacing the VCIM, it is essential to configure the new OnStar(R) system. Failure to configure the system will result in an additional customer visit for repair. DO NOT press and hold the white dot or phone button on the keypad as it will not reset this version of the OnStar(R) system and may result in a DTC being set. Use of the TIS2WEB and SPS applications, along with the Tech2(R), are required in order to perform the VCIM configuration and setup procedure for this vehicle. The configuration and set-up procedure is now a two-step process which enables an automated activation by the OnStar(R) Center, without a button press by the technician to the OnStar(R) Call Center.
Vehicles Built with Upgradeable OnStar(R) System Analog Modules
Note:
2007 Model Year Vehicles and Newer all have Digital OnStar(R) Modules.