Installing Bluetooth Onstar (OEM) For Hands Free Phone (Easy, Cheap)

[EDGE_]

+1
If you get it working, I too will join the Cult of Jeepguy_1980.

Originally Posted by Iwantone2

If you can get this accomplished, we will worship your name until the end of eternity

[10_SS]

I found this interesting brochure on the Continental website. Too bad they do not sell to consumers. I bet a workable Bluetooth solution exists possibly compatible with their OnStar boxes. http://www.conti-online.com/generato...ity_pdf_en.pdf

[Iwantone2]

Originally Posted by 10_SS

I found this interesting brochure on the Continental website. Too bad they do not sell to consumers. I bet a workable Bluetooth solution exists possibly compatible with their OnStar boxes. http://www.conti-online.com/generato...ity_pdf_en.pdf

Interesting article, and yes it really is too bad that they do not sell directly to consumers...

[Macatc123]

DO NOT BUY THIS. IT IS VERY CHEAP AND MY BATTERY'S LIFE WAS SHOT AFTER TWO WEEKS.

Originally Posted by Iwantone2

Actually, the cheapest and ghettoest (<-- sp?) way to get BT is by using the following:

Attachment 180410

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-623-_-Product

You just plug it into the AUX port and you can hear the phone conversation through the car speakers. It comes with a handy AUX extension. I routed it this way so that the cable wouldn't be exposed:

Attachment 180411

Some of the downsides however, is that the battery doesn't last as long as advertised. For some reason if you are running the A/C while you are talking, there's a lot of static.

Other than that, the call quality is good!

[EDGE_]

Originally Posted by jeepguy_1980

This is how you handle the conversation:

First write down your account number.
With the new unit installed, press the OnStar button in your car.
Ask for tech support.
Ask for your station ID.
Tell them that you want to replace the station ID on acct (your acct number here) with the number they just read to you.
Don't say anything else.
They will send a programming message.
Call them back and verify your name, gps position, and station ID.

I finally got this done. Got a previously activated unit on ebay for $199 and followed Jeepguy's procedure to get it assigned to my account. Thanks Jeepguy! It was fairly painless but they did keep me waiting about 20 mins while they activated the system. The Tech however was very apologetic and gave me a free three month extension so it is all good. I have to call back tomorrow to get my new hands free calling number, unfortunately, they couldn't let me keep my old one.

Tested the bluetooth and it connected with my cellphone without a hitch.

I'll be installing the steering wheel control switch tomorrow.

Thanks VT2CA, Jeepguy_1980 and everyone who posted here.

[oachalon]

i just won one on ebay and will be installing soon. I have to reactivate my onstar for a month just so my module is registered to the correct car. I know its not a requirement, but i would like them to have a record of the new module for my car.

[jeepguy_1980]

Originally Posted by EDGE_

I finally got this done. Got a previously activated unit on ebay for $199 and followed Jeepguy's procedure to get it assigned to my account. Thanks Jeepguy! It was fairly painless but they did keep me waiting about 20 mins while they activated the system. The Tech however was very apologetic and gave me a free three month extension so it is all good. I have to call back tomorrow to get my new hands free calling number, unfortunately, they couldn't let me keep my old one.

Tested the bluetooth and it connected with my cellphone without a hitch.

I'll be installing the steering wheel control switch tomorrow.

Thanks VT2CA, Jeepguy_1980 and everyone who posted here.

Not that it really matters, b/c I don't even remember the phone number. But I was able to keep my original number by swapping out the cellular card in the OnStar unit.

[ITGuy11]

Wow, Onstar is a pain in the ass to deal with...

I bought a bluetooth Onstar VCIM from ebay and installed it in my car. Paired my phone and it is working great. Now the fun part... I called Onstar to update the system ID on my account per the instructions in this thread. They updated my account and remotely programmed the "new" module.
Now when I log in to my Onstar account online, it shows that I have two 2010 Camaro SS's with two different vin numbers, mine and another with a different VIN number (I am assuming the vin of the car that the VCIM came from). I called Onstar back to remove the second VIN from my account and they started feeding me a mouthful on how I have violated the terms of Onstar and that only authorized dealers are allowed to make changes to any hardware, blah, blah, blah.
They said I need to take the car to the dealer to get my car/account updated with the proper information. That won't happen for at least three months, because the car is put away for the winter.
So now I have functioning bluetooth in the car, but a jacked up Onstar account...

[dragom]

Originally Posted by ITGuy11

Wow, Onstar is a pain in the ass to deal with...

I bought a bluetooth Onstar VCIM from ebay and installed it in my car. Paired my phone and it is working great. Now the fun part... I called Onstar to update the system ID on my account per the instructions in this thread. They updated my account and remotely programmed the "new" module.
Now when I log in to my Onstar account online, it shows that I have two 2010 Camaro SS's with two different vin numbers, mine and another with a different VIN number (I am assuming the vin of the car that the VCIM came from). I called Onstar back to remove the second VIN from my account and they started feeding me a mouthful on how I have violated the terms of Onstar and that only authorized dealers are allowed to make changes to any hardware, blah, blah, blah.
They said I need to take the car to the dealer to get my car/account updated with the proper information. That won't happen for at least three months, because the car is put away for the winter.
So now I have functioning bluetooth in the car, but a jacked up Onstar account...

does it make a difference that the part numbers are not the same as the one that is on the first post # 20842731

[oachalon]

Quick question for all of you.

My onstar subscription expired 6 or 7 months ago. I just received a used module on ebay. If i were to install the new module and one day activate my car again, will onstar recognize my car with that module or the old car?

Basically do i really need to reactivate my original onstar module before switching them out?

I went on onstar's website to reactivate my original account and it says my account doesnt exist anymore.

So what i am saying is if i do not go through activating my original one, switching modules, switching accounts to the new one through onstar, will i have any issues if i ever did want to turn onstar back on.

Will onstar see my correct car with the correct vin?

[EDGE_]

Originally Posted by oachalon

Quick question for all of you.

My onstar subscription expired 6 or 7 months ago. I just received a used module on ebay. If i were to install the new module and one day activate my car again, will onstar recognize my car with that module or the old car?

Basically do i really need to reactivate my original onstar module before switching them out?

I went on onstar's website to reactivate my original account and it says my account doesnt exist anymore.

So what i am saying is if i do not go through activating my original one, switching modules, switching accounts to the new one through onstar, will i have any issues if i ever did want to turn onstar back on.

Will onstar see my correct car with the correct vin?

Oachalon.

The way I understand it, the Onstar module ID (Station ID) is keyed to the VIN number of the vehicle and when they communicate with the module it is Station ID number that gets transmitted back to Onstar. Therefore, assuming the Onstar module you purchased was previously activated, when they read your Station ID, it will pull up the records of the original owner.

In fact, when I first called Onstar after installing my used unit, they called me by the wrong name and assumed I was the original owner until I got everything sort out.

That said, however, I see no reason to reactivate your account temporarily if you are not going to use it. If you decide to reactivate later you can go through the process then.

BTW, one thing I should mention, they did ask me why I changed the Onstar module, I just told them that the bluetooth was not working

[oachalon]

Edge, thank you for the information. That might be my answer as well if they ask.

[jeepguy_1980]

Originally Posted by EDGE_

Oachalon.

The way I understand it, the Onstar module ID (Station ID) is keyed to the VIN number of the vehicle and when they communicate with the module it is Station ID number that gets transmitted back to Onstar. Therefore, assuming the Onstar module you purchased was previously activated, when they read your Station ID, it will pull up the records of the original owner.

It's keyed to the VIN in their system, which is why we have to jump through all of these hoops. But once/if they set everything up properly, it will be yours with your VIN. And they will call you by your name when you press the OnStar button.

Originally Posted by EDGE_

BTW, one thing I should mention, they did ask me why I changed the Onstar module, I just told them that the bluetooth was not working

Why not tell them the truth? I did when they asked. If they get enough customers trying to do this, maybe they'll realize that their policy of not selling units is an ass pain, to us and their employees, that does nothing to solve any potential crimes.

[oachalon]

My onstar is not currently active and i guess im just too cheap/lazy to pay the $15 for one month to activate my old one and switch in my new one.

I might do it because even though i dont have onstar active, i think there is a law somewhere that onstar must call the car in the event of an accident even if you do not have service.

Something about it being a built in safety feature and by law all safety features might work. Im not 100% on that, but if its true i want them to make sure they are looking for the correct color camaro (mine) and not someone elses.