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OnStar Digital Upgrade for 03 & 04 NOW Available!

holstbnet said:
Punisher - check http://www.car-part.com or http://www.copartfinder.com -- they won't list OnStar module in their parts list, but you can find an 05 OnStar equipped vehicle (which doesn't have to be an Avalanche, of course) and call the yard that has the vehicle. A lot of em don't know what it is or what it's worth.. which means that either: 1) They will assume it's worth it's weight in gold and want a lot of money or 2) They will shrug and say "a black box is a black box" and let it go for $25 plus shipping. I've had BOTH scenarios happen to me.
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Good job !!!
 
***Finally!!! ***

Mine is done... Whew! :woohoo: So long for something so simple.. I was working with the dealer tech as it was his first upgrade job too. Somewhere we missed the part to place the Tech 2 into programming mode for the OnStar :2: so we could proceed.. Otherwise, the blinking red OnStar light. :E:

The VCIM was the easy part for the dealer's tech, as this is a common part of his job.. Once they received the kit, that is..

But OnStar and the goin's-on was a bit testy, even with the instructions. They seemed to like placing folks on hold a lot.

It took a while to coax the dealer into a procedure they hadn't tried prior. 

Then their procedure on how to handle it when it was done, brought in the boss.  :7:

All done now but I'm waiting for the 24 hours thing for my new number & the units transfer.  :p

 
sperry said:
All done now but I'm waiting for the 24 hours thing for my new number & the units transfer.?
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Wow I had my number right after the vehicle was ready (same day), and I pressed the "blue" button and OnStar transfer the minutes right away.? You also get 30 for "free" for the upgrade.? Don't forget to sign up for the Vehicle diagnostic report now that you have the upgrade.

OnStarForumThread
 
Thanks.. That's what the OnStar tech said when we were on line with him. Heck, it likely is OK now as I didn't check it after I arrived home. They noted my units left and sait that they'll finish it all up with a call tomorrow.. No biggie.

What I would like to sort out is the sub. will it extend onto my existing one or void the remaining on that and start at this date?

I was able to have my fingers into the process and install, since it was their first one. That was interesting but the paperwork procedure was a bit confusing, even though the instructions spelled it out. Some details weren't covered.

Yup, one gets 30 units. And I had 171. Problem is that if the 30 is 2 months, will it set my remaining to that? I have to make it clear to them so I don't get a cutoff of my annual ones in two months! :eek:

I had a Tech 2 scan. I usually do that every time I get one to play with or them do it when I have the Av serviced. Plus I have a code reader for body and drivetrain/emissions.

Is that in the forum you linked? `I suppose I'll find out. :)

Thanx Spotty...
 
When I logged on to the "My OnStar" this evening, it already had my changed number.


And I signed up for that diags service..

Thanks for that info!

 
I am glad I did mine myself. Swaped out the unit and added the new 06 ant. with xm. Works great. and it was so much easier than going to the dealer. The onstar box cost 65.00 but I got 2 months free of onstar so that wasnt to bad. Got the 30 min free so I used them during the 24 which turn into 48 hr because onstar didnt get the programing right. Also did not need the TECH ll for anything.
Had the red light problem which I finnaly figured out because the GPS still did not work. Somehow the center pin got bent  on the onstar unit which was hard to see. Looks like it has a bad connector for the pin moves around. The gps now works. The set up was fun for onstar people take the stand that you cant do that. To late I already did so lets make it work.  On the first call I was able to get it setup and told them that I didnt want a number with onstar because verizion will give you a new number. Reason is that onstar cant roll their numbers for they are for onstar minutes only. Their system isnt set up for the rollover. By the time I got the I was done getting the verizion connected I had 3 nimbers. Got the 30min free on on of them so I used them. When the program the onstar unit they give you a number and 30 min. free. When you switch to verizion and you will loose the min. once the unit gets reprogramed which is usually 24 hrs.

I was told that the onstar min. do not have roaming charges and should  work almost everywhere because they connect on diffent carriers so they can get nation wide coverage.

I will say doing my install only took a few min. plus talking to onstar and verizion was done while driving and not sitting at the dealer. Tech ll is not need and cost is alot cheeper and less headachs from dealer with lack of knoledge on how to do it. It has been a month now and recieved a diag. a few days ago and for some reason another today. That is kind cool and it does work on 03 and newer for the oil change. It is so nice to have verizion hands free and the new dialing PLUS free verizion to verizion calls.


Steve what did the TECH ll do in the install.
 
This is another example of if you wait long enough the upgrade will be free. They are not going to make money off a bunch of vehicles driving around with useless equipment when there are monthly fees that could be collected. Everyone jumping on a 3yr commitment basically plays right into their marketing strategy which quite frankly sucks. It boils down to they can collect money from me for this service or I can give my business to someone else. A 20 minute install of a simple reprogrammed chip that is made out to be some kind of big deal is ridiculous. The upgrade to there handheld phones to the digital network is free and occurs with a simple phone call. Why they didn't install an upgradable chip in these so called digital ready systems is beyond me as they could of saved a lot of people a lot of time and bother.
 
I talked to Onstar the other day about my 2004 Grand Prix and when I told them I was dropping their service they immediately offered me 3 yrs at 12.95 a month or 466.20 I didn't take it but it just goes to show what a con they are running. I also called Verizon and informed them that they are missing a sale of 1400 minutes a month shared between my 04 Grand Prix and my 05 Avalanche because their association with Onstar doesn't allow for an upgrade without all this money not to mention the money Verizon needs for 2 handheld phones and activation of 4 lines Grand total around 800.00 dollars. That is way to much for a service you are already going to be paying them 100.00 a month for. Put a hands free device in your car with a voice recognition phone for 120.00 dollars. Theyr'e nuts I tell ya.
 
It is not a chip upgrade. The new units have digital added to them. The only reason you have both is so you have better coverage. The all digital net works do not have coverage yet but are working on it. Digital takes less power so if your handheld goes over to analoge you will see your battery drop quick.

You can swap your unit out if you buy it from a salavage yard. Tell onstar you want to disconect and they should offer 2 or 3 months free. Take that and it will almost pay for the new unit. It is almost plug and play and maybe a few calls.

This is something I would recomend to everyone. No long term contracts. can do month to month. Can disconnect from verizion any time without extra charges.

You can get these unit for 50 to 100 dollars if you look.

Good luck on your upgrades
 
???How complicated is that entire process to do between getting the unit and swapping it out?Where is it located in my car?What about replacing the antenna mast ?My avalanche is ready to go but my 2004 Grand Prix comes up as digital ready and needs an upgrade according to Onstar.
 
pbuilder said:
Steve what did the TECH ll do in the install.
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Brand new unit - Apparently needed to be initialized. The OnStar light was blinking red until the Tech2 was connected and the correct page was selected. I don't really remember it to well now. I was watching instead of doing. :E:

It was part of the instructions on the sheet that came with the new VCIM.

We changed the antenna, then proceeded.

 
chock said:
???How complicated is that entire process to do between getting the unit and swapping it out?Where is it located in my car?What about replacing the antenna mast ?My avalanche is ready to go but my 2004 Grand Prix comes up as digital ready and needs an upgrade according to Onstar.
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They'll do it all for three years of subscription in advance.

Do it yourself? Ask Scott! (pbuilder). :)
 
Has anyone been able to get the Onstar Digital upgrade WITHOUT signing up for three years?

I think Onstar is a bit on the pricey side, but I like it so far.  I paid the $199 for the year all at once, but they want three years paid up front to do the upgrade for ""free"".  And to slam my hams further, I called them about a month after I signed up, and they wouldn't even count the year I just paid for.

I just cannot justify a $600-700 payment to do the upgrade.  Sure, I would have renewed it every year for the next three (or more years) but to ask me to pay it all at once is beyond rediculous.  I don't understand why they don't have you sign a three year contract like cell phone companies do before giving you equipment.

As it stands now, after Jan 1st 2008, they have lost me (and I am sure a few hundred others) as a customer.

 
Mine is going in tomorrow...to prevent any unnecessary mod problems..where is this VCIM located, so, I can remove anything that may be problematic.
Thanks!
 
Lift the dash top - it's right behind the passenger airbag, above the XM module.

Click on the image to expand it..


# "2" here:

Good luck! :)
 
Great...thanks!..i was afraid it was up behind the inst cluster...and there i a lot of mod over there...this will be much better!
Thanks again!
 
TIETANIC said:
I don't understand why they don't have you sign a three year contract like cell phone companies do before giving you equipment.

As it stands now, after Jan 1st 2008, they have lost me (and I am sure a few hundred others) as a customer.
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I've been paying monthly for a year now in case I decide to pay 3 years or cancel. I just went on vacation and went to add minutes, my OnStar was canceled ???? ?Seems my credit card expired (it never really expired because I renewed it first) and they had my e-mail address wrong so I was never notified.

I restarted OnStar, bought 100 minutes and changed my e-mail but I still have never recieved a monthly diagnostic in e-mail. Also they didn't tell me I could get 100 minutes free if I paid for a year ?

As a valued GM employee, you are entitled to the lowest price available for OnStar -- the most comprehensive in-vehicle security-communication system in the world. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ONSTAR SAFE & SOUND SERVICE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now you can take advantage of all of the benefits of OnStar by renewing your OnStar Safe & Sound service at 25% off the retail price -- that's a discounted rate of $12.95 per month. If you choose to pay for an entire year at once ($149), it gets even better. We'll add 100 OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes at no additional charge
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I had mine upgraded in Feb 2006 and I LOVE IT!!
When you say a number all in a row it gets it right everytime!
You can save numbers in memory than just say, CALL, HOME.

I have mine linked to my Verizon account for $9.99 and it share the same plan as my Cell phone!
I use it all the time! The reception is much better than the cell phone. I even use it in my parking garage at work. Not to mention my AV has it's own phone number. I can also forward my cell phone to the AV too. Great for long trips.

The only problem I had was getting the dealership to submit the paperwork to onstar. That took 4 months!! But Onstar refunded my monthly fee so ALL IS GOOD!!

Expensive YES! Worth it YES!!
 
smokinfish said:
I had mine upgraded in Feb 2006 and I LOVE IT!!
When you say a number all in a row it gets it right everytime!
You can save numbers in memory than just say, CALL, HOME.

I have mine linked to my Verizon account for $9.99 and it share the same plan as my Cell phone!
I use it all the time! The reception is much better than the cell phone. I even use it in my parking garage at work. Not to mention my AV has it's own phone number. I can also forward my cell phone to the AV too. Great for long trips.

The only problem I had was getting the dealership to submit the paperwork to onstar. That took 4 months!! But Onstar refunded my monthly fee so ALL IS GOOD!!

Expensive YES! Worth it YES!!
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  let's see if i am understanding this right...  your new upgraded VCIM allows you to get service with Verizon.  the AV shares minutes with your cell phone.  On-Star is no longer in the loop other than providing you with info, directions, etc.  am i correct? 

  if that is the case i will go that route.  both my vehicles will be needing the upgrade.  my wife, and i, both have cell phone service with verizon as well.

  i love not having to repeat each number when using the hands-free dialing.  i tried it in a friends Saturn, and loved it.
 
Yeah, but you have to pay for three years of Onstar (minimum $600.00) up front first, right?

That's the clincher for me.  That's more than my car payment!
 
PUNISHER said:
? ?let's see if i am understanding this right...? your new upgraded VCIM allows you to get service with Verizon.? the AV shares minutes with your cell phone.? On-Star is no longer in the loop other than providing you with info, directions, etc.? ?am i correct??

? ?if that is the case i will go that route.? both my vehicles will be needing the upgrade.? my wife, and i, both have cell phone service with verizon as well.

? ?i love not having to repeat each number when using the hands-free dialing.? i tried it in a friends Saturn, and loved it.
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Actually it is a verizon/onstar deal. I still have onstar and all they offer. But I also have verizon if I want to make handfree calls. So yea your right. It's definetly worth it! I don't have to buy onstar minutes.

Call onstar and ask for a verizon rep. If you call verizon they won't know anything. Funny how that works.

As far as the price, it was around $600 for the upgrade, but you get 3 years of on-star included. Since onstar is 18.00 a month, you save around $48 on the onstar service and the upgrade and labor is basically free. My 04 AV only had 33,000 when I did it so 3 years sounded good to me.

No more monthly onstar bills and I use my AV phone all the time. And the best part is that is so much easier to drive when I am not holding on to a cell phone!! I guess it's safer too. hmmmm.

As far as it being more than a car payment I wouldn't know I drive an Avalanche!!  :beating:
 
smokinfish said:
Actually it is a verizon/onstar deal. I still have onstar and all they offer. But I also have verizon if I want to make handfree calls. So yea your right. It's definetly worth it! I don't have to buy onstar minutes.

Call onstar and ask for a verizon rep. If you call verizon they won't know anything. Funny how that works.

As far as the price, it was around $600 for the upgrade, but you get 3 years of on-star included. Since onstar is 18.00 a month, you save around $48 on the onstar service and the upgrade and labor is basically free. My 04 AV only had 33,000 when I did it so 3 years sounded good to me.

No more monthly onstar bills and I use my AV phone all the time. And the best part is that is so much easier to drive when I am not holding on to a cell phone!! I guess it's safer too. hmmmm.

As far as it being more than a car payment I wouldn't know I drive an Avalanche!!? :beating:
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  i think i will go the route you did.  however i am considering doing the swap myself like mentioned earlier.  this is if i can get the part for as cheap as i saw posted earlier.  i wish i had read this sooner.  i could have did the NAV radio and On-star at the same time while i had the top of the dash off.
 
I got mine done a few months ago, and love it...punisher, I havn't heard of anyone DIYing this project...it doesn't look easy (looks like some tech2 work is needed), good luck!
 
BigBlackAv said:
I got mine done a few months ago, and love it...punisher, I havn't heard of anyone DIYing this project...it doesn't look easy (looks like some tech2 work is needed), good luck!
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There a few threads on this site about OnStar upgrades as DIYer.  There use to be an OnStar forum that had great documentation for a DIY project.  From what I recall, it was just a plug and play operation, then call OnStar to activate service.  The TSB on the upgrade has the install procedure.
 
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