Installing Bluetooth Onstar (OEM) For Hands Free Phone (Easy, Cheap) - Page 19 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

EAkrish · 04-03-2010, 06:33 PM

Press the button and check with tech support through onstar

Iwantone2 · 04-03-2010, 08:27 PM

I think he's already talked to OnStar...

EAkrish · 04-03-2010, 08:40 PM

oh, the other guy got his working right?

Saving41 · 04-04-2010, 08:08 PM

All the Bluetooth functions work in my car, but none of the OnStar features work since OnStar wont attempt to change my account/activate the new VCIM due to the red LED status. Overall, not a big problem as I then will not renew my account when the year is up. I think I am the only one with this problem of all that have changed their VCIM.

camaro1 · 04-04-2010, 08:21 PM

the vcim has the original vehicle vin number in it and wont work for onstar till a gm dealer re-programs the onstar module to your car with TIS and MDI unit

huskerwr38 · 04-04-2010, 10:30 PM

I seriously wish I would have just added this option in. This has been such a headache trying to till with this bluetooth module.

Iwantone2 · 04-05-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaro1

the vcim has the original vehicle vin number in it and wont work for onstar till a gm dealer re-programs the onstar module to your car with TIS and MDI unit

There's been a number of people that have successfully swapped modules and had OnStar move their account over to the "new" module. We still don't know why it won't work on his car though....but you may be on to something...

big-geek! · 04-06-2010, 03:02 PM

I've been following this topic with great interest. I too wish I had gotten this feature from the very beginning but, I am forced to walk the long road to get bluetooth installed in my 2010 1SS Camaro. Here's my story and where I am today.

First, went with the dealer on how to get this feature installed after car was delivered. The dealer swore up and down that its IMPOSSIBLE to have bluetooth installed. I didnt believe this for a second and began looking on the interent for folks who actually did it.
After finding my way here, and becoming a member, it became clear to me that this is really just a matter of swapping out a module and then having the dealer flash the head unit with updated software. Sounds easy right? Well its not. The hard part is getting your hands on the OnStar Module (PN 20842731). I've seen them pop up on ebay from time to time, but I'm reluctlant to buy them since a used module has almost definitely been activated through OnStar already and will be near impossible to get them to not only deactivate the existing account but then have it associated with MY account.
So, I got on the phone with Chevy proper starting with their customer service department. That frustrating conversation with someone who has most likely never driven a 2010 Camaro let alone attempted to do any work on one led my issue to get escalated level after level until finally I got in touch with somone who would hear me out and understood that the modules COULD be replaced. Lesson here for those who are trying to get this feature installed. Do NOT take no for an answer! especially from some phone support goon who barely knows how to change the oil in his/her Honda Civic. Moving on...
I finally got Chevy to buy off on the fact that it can be done and we had a three way confrence call with the dealship I bought the car from. After speaking with the service manager and parts manager we all nodded our heads a few times and agreed the dealer will do the install.
I then visited the dealer and signed the work order to get this done. Days later I get a call from the dealer telling me that they cannot get the OnStar Module from their distributor stating that because my VIN doesnt match the VIN of a Camaro equipped with Bluetooth they will not sell them the module. Once again I see red and get the contact information from the distributor.
After speaking with the distributor (for about an hour) the reason they are reluctlant to sell the module to the dealer for a car without a matching VIN number is the liability of installing a part that could be incompatable and cause damage to other components in the car. The distributor is now contacting the manufacturer of the module (which is Contenental as we all should already know) to check if they can sell the module to me as it may be against some contract they have.
As for OnStar... now that I've read of folks having problems registering their Bluetooth Enabled OnStar Modules, I will stay away from the Ebay modules for that very reason.
I'm pretty sure I'm nearing the end of this road since the dealer is willing to do the work and I'm nearing the finish line with getting a new OnStar module sold to me.
When its all done I'll be sure to post the Name/Address of the dealership I had do the work as well as the distributor and manufacturer information for you guys to use when attempting this process. I'll with-hold that information for now until I get a successful outcome.

Craig

Nutbutt · 04-06-2010, 07:13 PM

Hey Big -Geek it sounds you and I are in the same holding pattern. As I have posted here I too have gotten the Dealer/GM/Onstar/continetal all on the phone in multiple calls and there is still the concern that the Bluetooth unit is not compatible, which, honestly is only partially true. Some of the features that work only by the steering wheel controls won't function without them. Continetal is evaluating these functions now as to if any damage can occur to the non bluetooth system. Again I got a date of a notice by mid month ???? They did tell me in a past call that ONSTAR programs the box remotely not the GM dealer. There is no VIN or car identification stored in the VCIM, the VCIM to vehicle identification is done in the ONSTAR computer system. ONSTAR will not update a unit in their system if a unit has a RED LED which indicates an error in the system.

The people I have talked too are being helpful but since so many different people are involved this will take time, it isn't a priority to any of them, but they are working this. Best thing to do is stay patient, be nice and keep pushing !

Glad to see others not giving up ! Although I did get a call about a unit from an SS I saw T-boned awhile back. I called back and waiting to see the outcome ?

saabsonic · 04-06-2010, 08:17 PM

Driving my 2005 Toyota Sienna into San Francisco and back today I realized just how STUPID it is that we can't buy an upgraded OnStar module through GM to add this valuable SAFETY feature to our non-Bluetooth 2010 Camaros. Grrrrrrr! I'm keeping a close watch on this thread, and many thanks to Nutbutt and now big-geek! If CoStar had a working BlueStar replacement for our 2010s I'd go with that right now and just forget OnStar... but alas, they do not... Keep up the good work!

huskerwr38 · 04-07-2010, 05:53 PM

is anyone bidding on that bluetooth module on ebay? I emailed the seller and asked him if it was activated through onstar but haven't received any response.

Nutbutt · 04-07-2010, 09:46 PM

Not me, not worth the $ for a used unit !

EAkrish · 04-07-2010, 09:58 PM

I got mine and installed it. The lady how I spoke with migrated my activation and gave me everything you would get if you bought a 2SS(directions and connections package) until Feb 2011. Pretty cool!!!!! And it works perfectly!!!!!!!!

saabsonic · 04-07-2010, 11:53 PM

Hi Gang.

I emailed CoStar was was amazed when Chris emailed back and said he was still waiting for a 2010 Camaro volunteer in the Long Island area so they could study it...

"Hi Mac,
I need to get my hands on a Camaro so I can figure out the communication
protocol. If you happen to be local to LI, let me know. I offer a free
unit to anyone who will let me sniff their car out.

Thanks,
-Chris"

Dang, can't someone on the East Coast work with these guys?

04-03-2010, 06:33 PM	#253
EAkrish Scout Sniping Drives: 2010 Ford F150 Lariat SuperCrew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 762	Press the button and check with tech support through onstar __________________ Eric Previous Car:1SS/CGM 6MT w/ Sunroof & FACTORY BLUETOOTH!!!: New Era OTR, Steeda Short Shifter, Ported TB, Stg 2 ported intake manifold, Fasterproms, Poor man down pipes, MBRP 3" Exhaust!!! Now I drive a F150 Supercrew

04-03-2010, 08:27 PM	#254
Iwantone2 Voice Of The Voiceless Drives: CGM 1SS RS Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OC Cali Posts: 9,617 View My Garage	I think he's already talked to OnStar... __________________

04-03-2010, 08:40 PM	#255
EAkrish Scout Sniping Drives: 2010 Ford F150 Lariat SuperCrew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 762	oh, the other guy got his working right? __________________ Eric Previous Car:1SS/CGM 6MT w/ Sunroof & FACTORY BLUETOOTH!!!: New Era OTR, Steeda Short Shifter, Ported TB, Stg 2 ported intake manifold, Fasterproms, Poor man down pipes, MBRP 3" Exhaust!!! Now I drive a F150 Supercrew

04-04-2010, 08:21 PM	#257
camaro1 Drives: 550+RWHP 2010 camaro Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,588	the vcim has the original vehicle vin number in it and wont work for onstar till a gm dealer re-programs the onstar module to your car with TIS and MDI unit __________________ 415ci stroker, TVS 2300 Magnacharger, cnc heads, cam, yank ss3200 converter, Kooks long tubes, Bwoody true cold air kit, ZL1 Pump, magnaflow 3" cat-back, lowering springs,BMR control arms and tie rod bars, 3.73 gears, diff mounts, RX can, ADM fuel controller

04-06-2010, 03:02 PM	#260
big-geek! Virgil, Satan's Camaro Drives: White 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 96 View My Garage	Doing the legwork, here is where I am so far. I've been following this topic with great interest. I too wish I had gotten this feature from the very beginning but, I am forced to walk the long road to get bluetooth installed in my 2010 1SS Camaro. Here's my story and where I am today. First, went with the dealer on how to get this feature installed after car was delivered. The dealer swore up and down that its IMPOSSIBLE to have bluetooth installed. I didnt believe this for a second and began looking on the interent for folks who actually did it. After finding my way here, and becoming a member, it became clear to me that this is really just a matter of swapping out a module and then having the dealer flash the head unit with updated software. Sounds easy right? Well its not. The hard part is getting your hands on the OnStar Module (PN 20842731). I've seen them pop up on ebay from time to time, but I'm reluctlant to buy them since a used module has almost definitely been activated through OnStar already and will be near impossible to get them to not only deactivate the existing account but then have it associated with MY account. So, I got on the phone with Chevy proper starting with their customer service department. That frustrating conversation with someone who has most likely never driven a 2010 Camaro let alone attempted to do any work on one led my issue to get escalated level after level until finally I got in touch with somone who would hear me out and understood that the modules COULD be replaced. Lesson here for those who are trying to get this feature installed. Do NOT take no for an answer! especially from some phone support goon who barely knows how to change the oil in his/her Honda Civic. Moving on... I finally got Chevy to buy off on the fact that it can be done and we had a three way confrence call with the dealship I bought the car from. After speaking with the service manager and parts manager we all nodded our heads a few times and agreed the dealer will do the install. I then visited the dealer and signed the work order to get this done. Days later I get a call from the dealer telling me that they cannot get the OnStar Module from their distributor stating that because my VIN doesnt match the VIN of a Camaro equipped with Bluetooth they will not sell them the module. Once again I see red and get the contact information from the distributor. After speaking with the distributor (for about an hour) the reason they are reluctlant to sell the module to the dealer for a car without a matching VIN number is the liability of installing a part that could be incompatable and cause damage to other components in the car. The distributor is now contacting the manufacturer of the module (which is Contenental as we all should already know) to check if they can sell the module to me as it may be against some contract they have. As for OnStar... now that I've read of folks having problems registering their Bluetooth Enabled OnStar Modules, I will stay away from the Ebay modules for that very reason. I'm pretty sure I'm nearing the end of this road since the dealer is willing to do the work and I'm nearing the finish line with getting a new OnStar module sold to me. When its all done I'll be sure to post the Name/Address of the dealership I had do the work as well as the distributor and manufacturer information for you guys to use when attempting this process. I'll with-hold that information for now until I get a successful outcome. Craig

04-04-2010, 08:08 PM	#256
Saving41 Drives: IBM 1SS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 218	All the Bluetooth functions work in my car, but none of the OnStar features work since OnStar wont attempt to change my account/activate the new VCIM due to the red LED status. Overall, not a big problem as I then will not renew my account when the year is up. I think I am the only one with this problem of all that have changed their VCIM.

04-04-2010, 10:30 PM	#258
huskerwr38 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 57	I seriously wish I would have just added this option in. This has been such a headache trying to till with this bluetooth module.

04-06-2010, 07:13 PM	#261
Nutbutt Drives: 2011 RJT 2LT/RS Convertible Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 3,381 View My Garage	Hey Big -Geek it sounds you and I are in the same holding pattern. As I have posted here I too have gotten the Dealer/GM/Onstar/continetal all on the phone in multiple calls and there is still the concern that the Bluetooth unit is not compatible, which, honestly is only partially true. Some of the features that work only by the steering wheel controls won't function without them. Continetal is evaluating these functions now as to if any damage can occur to the non bluetooth system. Again I got a date of a notice by mid month ???? They did tell me in a past call that ONSTAR programs the box remotely not the GM dealer. There is no VIN or car identification stored in the VCIM, the VCIM to vehicle identification is done in the ONSTAR computer system. ONSTAR will not update a unit in their system if a unit has a RED LED which indicates an error in the system. The people I have talked too are being helpful but since so many different people are involved this will take time, it isn't a priority to any of them, but they are working this. Best thing to do is stay patient, be nice and keep pushing ! Glad to see others not giving up ! Although I did get a call about a unit from an SS I saw T-boned awhile back. I called back and waiting to see the outcome ? __________________ 1st IPF Supercharged 2011 2LT/RS RJT Convertible

04-06-2010, 08:17 PM	#262
saabsonic Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 1SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Forestville, CA Posts: 50	Driving my 2005 Toyota Sienna into San Francisco and back today I realized just how STUPID it is that we can't buy an upgraded OnStar module through GM to add this valuable SAFETY feature to our non-Bluetooth 2010 Camaros. Grrrrrrr! I'm keeping a close watch on this thread, and many thanks to Nutbutt and now big-geek! If CoStar had a working BlueStar replacement for our 2010s I'd go with that right now and just forget OnStar... but alas, they do not... Keep up the good work!

04-07-2010, 05:53 PM	#263
huskerwr38 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 57	is anyone bidding on that bluetooth module on ebay? I emailed the seller and asked him if it was activated through onstar but haven't received any response.

04-07-2010, 09:46 PM	#264
Nutbutt Drives: 2011 RJT 2LT/RS Convertible Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 3,381 View My Garage	Not me, not worth the $ for a used unit ! __________________ 1st IPF Supercharged 2011 2LT/RS RJT Convertible

04-07-2010, 09:58 PM	#265
EAkrish Scout Sniping Drives: 2010 Ford F150 Lariat SuperCrew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 762	I got mine and installed it. The lady how I spoke with migrated my activation and gave me everything you would get if you bought a 2SS(directions and connections package) until Feb 2011. Pretty cool!!!!! And it works perfectly!!!!!!!! __________________ Eric Previous Car:1SS/CGM 6MT w/ Sunroof & FACTORY BLUETOOTH!!!: New Era OTR, Steeda Short Shifter, Ported TB, Stg 2 ported intake manifold, Fasterproms, Poor man down pipes, MBRP 3" Exhaust!!! Now I drive a F150 Supercrew

04-07-2010, 11:53 PM	#266
saabsonic Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 1SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Forestville, CA Posts: 50	Hi Gang. I emailed CoStar was was amazed when Chris emailed back and said he was still waiting for a 2010 Camaro volunteer in the Long Island area so they could study it... "Hi Mac, I need to get my hands on a Camaro so I can figure out the communication protocol. If you happen to be local to LI, let me know. I offer a free unit to anyone who will let me sniff their car out. Thanks, -Chris" Dang, can't someone on the East Coast work with these guys?