Entertainment/Accessory System Bulletins

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Note: The content of this topic is not intended or implied to be of a "timely" manner!

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GM Document ID# 1638038

"Information on Upgrading Certain OnStar Generation 5 Analog/Digital-Ready Systems to OnStar Generation 6 Dual-Mode (analog/Digital) #05-08-46-006 - (Mar 24, 2005)
 
2003-2004 Buick Rendezvous

2004 Buick Rainier

2003-2004 Cadillac Escalade Models

2005 Cadillac SRX

2003-2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe

2004 Chevrolet Colorado, TrailBlazer Models

2003-2004 GMC Sierra, Yukon Models

2004 GMC Canyon, Envoy Models

2004 Oldsmobile Bravada

2003-2004 Pontiac Aztek

2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

2003-2004 HUMMER H2

This program is only available to dealers located in the United States. Canadian dealers will not be able to order upgrade kits at this time.

This bulletin is being issued to provide dealer personnel with information and procedures to follow should an owner wish to upgrade their OnStar® Generation 5 analog/digital-ready system to an OnStar® Generation 6 Dual-mode (analog/digital) system.

Service Procedure

Customers who wish to upgrade their vehicle to an OnStar® Generation 6 Dual-mode (analog/digital) system will be required to purchase a 3-year, non-refundable, subscription to OnStar®. If they agree to this, they will be eligible for an upgrade, which will be provided to them at no additional cost. This program will be available beginning on March 29, 2005.

Important:: If the customer sells their upgraded vehicle prior to the end of the 3-year subscription, any unused whole months of their subscription can be transferred to their next OnStar®-equipped General Motors vehicle.

Important:: The new Dual-mode (analog/digital) OnStar Vehicle Communication Interface Module (VCIM) that will be installed into the customer's vehicle, as part of this upgrade, will have a new telephone number assigned to it. There is no way to transfer the customer's current telephone number to the new system.

Important:: Only vehicles listed in this bulletin will be eligible for the Digital-upgrade program. Other vehicles are being studied for possible inclusion into the Digital-upgrade program and may be added at a later date. You may also determine vehicle upgradeability by typing the VIN into the appropriate field on www.onstarenrollment.com.

Technicians are to install the OnStar® Digital-upgrade kit using the following procedure:

   1. If the customer's vehicle is listed in this bulletin, and they have agreed to sign up for a 3-year, non-refundable subscription to OnStar®, an upgrade kit can be ordered by calling the distributor, Autocraft, at 1-888-947-8100. Upgrade kits will be shipped out within 24 hours and a pre-paid return package label will be included for returning the customer's Generation 5 VCIM. By returning the customer's original VCIM, you will avoid a significant non-return core charge. Refer to the Parts Information table below to determine which OnStar® upgrade kit to order.
   2. Once the kit has been received, remove and discard any existing OnStar® Owner's Manuals in the customer's Instrument Panel Compartment. Place the new OnStar® Owner's Manuals from the upgrade kit in the customer's Instrument Panel Compartment.
   3. Unscrew the existing analog OnStar® antenna mast from the antenna base and discard. Screw in the provided analog/digital OnStar® antenna mast into the antenna base. This step only applies to the following 2003 model year vehicles (skip to step 4 if the vehicle to be upgraded is not listed below).
         -    2003 Buick Rendezvous
         -    2003 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT
         -    2003 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
         -    2003 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL
         -    2003 HUMMER H2
         -    2003 Pontiac Aztek
   4. Replace the OnStar® VCIM in the vehicle with the provided analog/digital VCIM. Refer to the Communication Interface Module Replacement procedure in the Cellular Communication section of SI. As SI states, the appropriate steps to reconfigure the new OnStar® VCIM are as follows:
         -    Press the blue OnStar® button to connect to the OnStar® call center.
         -    Tell the advisor that this vehicle has received a new VCIM.
         -    Ask the advisor to add the new Station Identification (STID) and Electronic Serial Number (ESN) to update the customer's account.
         -    Follow any additional instructions from the OnStar® advisor.
         -    Ask the advisor to activate the OnStar® Personal Calling feature , if available.

      Important:: Please note that the OPC functionality will not be available until the following day.

         -    Ask to be transferred to the OnStar® Dealer Center (ODC). If you are disconnected, call the ODC at 1-888-ONSTAR-1 (1-888-667-8271). Request that a 3-year Analog-to-Digital Transition (ADT) upgrade package be applied to the customer's account. All upgrade packages are dealer prepaid. The dealer's open account will be charged for the cost of the package plus any applicable taxes. The three Digital-upgrade packages that are available are:
               •    3-year Safety and Security (S&S) ADT package
               •    3-year Directions and Connections (D&C) ADT package
               •    3-year Luxury and Leisure (L&L) ADT package

      Important:: As SI states, YOU MUST REMEMBER TO RECONFIGURE THE NEW MODULE WITH AN ONSTAR ADVISOR TO COMPLETE THIS REPAIR. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN COMEBACKS AND CHARGEBACKS. In addition, pressing and holding the white dot button on the keypad will NOT reconfigure the OnStar® system. This action will cause a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) to set.

   5. Have the Service Advisor, Service Manager or Sales Consultant review the new OnStar Personal Calling (OPC) procedure with the customer. The customer is used to their Generation 5 analog/digital-- ready OPC system, which uses individual digit dial to make a call. Generation 6 Dual-mode (analog/digital) uses continuous digit dial, and the customer needs to be made aware of this change.
   6. Give the "OnStar Generation 6 Dual-Mode analog/digital Tip Sheet" to your customer. This tip sheet will help your customer better understand their new OnStar® system.
   7. Have the customer sign the form that is titled "Terms and Conditions of Your OnStar Service". Fax this form to 313-665-0485 and give a copy to the customer. You may also like to keep a copy for your records.
   8. Collect payment from the customer. Your dealership will be charged for the upgrade package, so you must collect payment from your customer. The prices for the three upgrade packages are as follows:
         -    3-year Safety and Security (S&S) ADT package. $549 plus tax (if applicable)
         -    3-year Directions and Connections (D&C) ADT package. $1099 plus tax (if applicable)
         -    3-year Luxury and Leisure (L&L) ADT package. $2159 plus tax (if applicable)
   9. Use labor code Z2096 to submit your claim for the labor time published below plus 0.2 hr Administrative Allowance and an additional $20.00 Net Amount.. For claim submission, use Complaint Code MH -- Technical Bulletin, and Failure Code 93 -- Technical Service Bulletin."

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For 2002!

Info - Re-establishing Communications with OnStar After Battery Disconnect #00-08-46-004B - (Mar 17, 2005)

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

with OnStar® Generation 2 or Generation 3

This bulletin is being revised to add models and model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-08-46-004A (Section 08 - Body and Accessories).

When servicing any of the above models and a battery cable is disconnected or power to the OnStar® Vehicle Integration Unit (VIU) is interrupted for any reason, the following procedure must be performed to verify proper Global Positioning System (GPS) function.

Important: Never swap OnStar® Vehicle Integration Units (VIU) or Vehicle Communication Units (VCU) from other vehicles. Transfer of OnStar® components from other vehicles should not be done. Each OnStar® component has a unique identification number. The VIU has a specific Station Identification (STID) and the VCU has a specific Electronic Serial Number (ESN). These identification numbers are used by the National Cellular Telephone Network and OnStar® systems and are stored in General Motors Vehicle History files by VIN.

After completing ALL repairs to the vehicle, Technicians must perform the following procedure:

   1. Move the vehicle into an open area of the service lot.
   2. Sit in the vehicle with the engine running and the radio turned on for five minutes.
   3. Press the OnStar® button in the vehicle.
   4. When the OnStar® advisor answers, ask the advisor to verify the current location of the vehicle.

 Technicians: If the vehicle location is different than the location the OnStar® advisor gives, contact GM Technical Assistance (TAC) and choose the OnStar® prompt. GM OnStar® TAC will assist in the diagnosis of a failed VIU and, if appropriate, order a replacement part. Replacement parts are usually shipped out within 24 hours, and a pre-paid return package label will be included for returning the faulty part. By returning the faulty part, you will avoid a non-return core charge .

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Info - Compact Disc (CD) or DVD Player Skipping, Inoperative, Sluggish and/or Long Search Times #05-08-44-001 - (Jan 24, 2005)

All 2005 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks

All 2005 and Prior Saturn Models

2003-2005 HUMMER H2

with CD or DVD Players


ALL CD and DVD players should be evaluated for the type of media being used before service or replacement. This bulletin should be posted and all Service Consultants, Sales Managers and Sales Personnel become familiar with the information contained below. Customers with disc player concerns covered in this bulletin should be given copies of this information in order to help them understand and maximize the use of the entertainment system in the vehicle.

Media Types and File Types

A considerable amount of confusion and concerns stem from the types of Media and File types available on a standard (in appearance) Compact Disc for consumer purchase and/or recording. The information below will address some of this confusion in clear simple terms.

Simple Guidelines to Evaluate CD Concerns:

Whenever you have a concern with Compact Disc skipping, inoperative, sluggish, and/or long search times, you first need to evaluate the system with a known good disc. ALL GM CD players will accept and play pre-recorded media bearing the Compact Disc logo on the jewel case or the front of the disc. A diagnostic kit J 39916-CD or J 39916-A is available from Kent-Moore, which includes an evaluation CD to assist you. When testing the system for the above conditions, never use a customer supplied disc other than for the demonstration of the concern.
   •    Even if a customer supplies you with a disc that is "store bought" and appears to be free of scratches and fingerprints, other factors such as long term exposure to sunlight and/or the heat of the vehicle interior may warp the disc or delaminate the readable surface.
   •    Some customers may be using home recorded CD Recordable (CD-R) media in their vehicle. In addition, computer programs that print facsimiles of original labels on transparent adhesive film may make it difficult to tell a well done CD-R from the original.
   •    CD-RW are not readable in any GM CD player and should not be used.
   •    Some discs may contain additional features and other non-music data that is unreadable to the CD player.

Important: In all cases, you should use a known good disc to check proper operation of the CD player.

Load a known good CD into the player or changer. Operate the player and/or drive the vehicle to try to duplicate the customer concern. If the concern cannot be duplicated with your test CD, refer to the information below to assist you in resolving the customer's concern.

Notice: Advise the customer not to use paste-on labels in GM CD players. The labels may dislodge or curl, damaging or jamming the CD player.

Customer Concerns Related to Home Recorded Discs

Many home computers now come with CD-R/RW drives capable of recording music in standard CD format on a blank disc. A finished CD-R disc is advertised to work in all CD players. Customers may experience difficulty when using these discs due to several factors:
   •    The quality of the finished disc varies with the media used. Off-brand or discount blank discs may have imperfections such that they are not suitable for automotive applications. A disc that is barely readable may function in a stationary player while skipping in a vehicle due to the vibrations of driving.
   •    The speed at which the disc is recorded will dramatically affect the readability. The laser in the recording drive gets less time to etch the readable surface of the disc as the recording speed is increased, therefore the data contained on the disc is more faint. A good comparison is if you are trying to read a newspaper that the printing is barely visible on. Any motion or change in lighting would cause you to lose your place. The same applies for the CD player. Instruct customers to locate the speed control on their computer software or stand-alone recorder and lower the speed. This may improve results.

ITEM Tip(c)

Many CD-R discs have the maximum recordable speed printed on the case and/or the disc. This guideline is assuming all variables are met, and the latest recording equipment is used. This maximum speed rating does not assure good results. Older CD-R/RW drives may not be able to achieve the highest stated speed of 32x or 24x with good results. You should slow older equipment down more.
   •    Discs with the readable side that is colored may be more susceptible to skipping.
   •    CD-RW discs are not readable in any GM CD player and should not be used.

Information on File Types and Sound Quality Not Involving Skipping

A standard music CD in computer terms carries .cda files. It is possible to home record onto a disc with many other files types, all of which are not readable in GM CD or DVD players. Some, but not all, of the non-compatable files types are:
   •    .wav
   •    .wma
   •    .mpeg
   •    .avi
   •    .midi
   •    .mov
   •    .mp4

GM CD players that also feature DVD Video playback are not compatible with the newly released high resolution sound DVD-A or DVD Audio discs.

A Special Note About .mp3 files.: The ability of this type of file to compress many hours of music onto one disc has increased the popularity of this type of file. Many internet music downloads and stand alone players are available in this format. GM has, and will, introduce some CD players that will decode this format. Some CD players equipped with this feature may have the MP3 logo on the front of the player. You should refer to the Owner's Manual in each case for compatibility, as in some cases only one of several available radios may decode the .mp3 format. Files recorded in .mp3 format may be highly compressed and exhibit a range of good to poor fidelity depending on how the file was recorded. The audio artifacts of high compression may sound like distortion even at low volumes or exacerbate speaker rattles at high volume settings.

Customer Confusion with Pre-Recorded Store Bought Discs

There are now, in addition to the original style CD, various other types of discs which promise compatibility with your standard style CD player. The two most popular of these styles are Super-Audio Compact Disc (SACD) and DVD Audio (DVD-A ).

Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD)

Super Audio is a new format in which some discs from some manufacturers offer compatibility with standard CD players. SACD's may be recorded with 2 layers of data, one for CD players and one for SACD players. This type of disc will be marked as a "Hybrid 2-Channel" or "Hybrid Multi-Channel". These discs may function in your normal CD player, though no testing has been performed as to susceptibility to skipping or sensitivity to dirt and scratching. SACD's that are not marked as "Hybrid" will NOT play in your CD player.

DVD Audio (DVD-A)

DVD audio discs are another high resolution sound medium that is offered to the consumer. This format is NOT compatible with a CD player or a conventional DVD Video player such as those offered by GM. The exception is that recently, some manufacturers of DVD-A discs have begun producing two-sided DVD-A discs. These discs may be labelled DualDisc with an accompanying symbol. Only DVD-A discs with this symbol will play in your GM CD/DVD.

Important: Be sure to insert a DualDisc with the proper side up for conventional CD playback.

Enhanced Features CD's/CD-ROM

CD-ROM's are intended for your computer only. Enhanced feature CD's may contain lyrics, and/or other video information. The specific tracks on the CD with this additional information will not function in your CD player, or behave erratically.

 

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Rear Seat Audio (RSA) and/or Rear HVAC Inoperative (Replace RSA Module) #03-08-44-018B - (Jan 14, 2005)

2003-2005 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT

2003-2005 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado Crew Cab, Suburban, Tahoe

2003-2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab, Sierra Denali, Yukon, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali, Yukon Denali XL

2003-2005 HUMMER H2

with Rear Seat Radio Control (RPO UK6)

This bulletin is being revised to clarify the Parts Information. Please discard Advanced Service Information Bulletin Number 03-08-44-018A (Section 08 -- Body and Accessories).

Condition

Some customers may comment that the Rear Seat Audio (RSA) or the rear HVAC controls are inoperative. The display will be blank and there is no communication to the RSA/HVAC module.

Cause

A microcontroller was found to lock up after a battery connect event causing an "HVAC No ALDL" communication condition. This required the cycling of power by disconnecting/reconnecting the RSA module.

Correction

Replace the RSA module to correct this condition. The RSA module has been updated to eliminate the "HVAC No ALDL" communication concern.

Dealer Action

Please contact all customers that were told they would be called when a repair became available.

Parts Information

Part Number         Description      
10358082      Control Asm, AM/FM Stereo

Vehicles Without Rear HVAC)