Installing Bluetooth Onstar (OEM) For Hands Free Phone (Easy, Cheap) - Page 27 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Iwantone2 · 06-14-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saabsonic

Excellent news! Received word today from PayPal that CoStar has shipped my BlueStar box. When I receive it later this week I'll have it in and report back. I'm interested to see how it compares with the very good, (but OnStar dependent,) factory Verizon hands-free system. Since it seemed impossible to add the GM Bluetooth hands-free option to my 1SS, I went third-party with CoStar.

Awesome!!! Good to hear that the project is back on track! Let us know how it works out for ya!!

saabsonic · 06-16-2010, 11:43 AM

Here's a shot of the cable I made up for connecting a dummy load to my OnStar box, so I could use the shark fin antenna instead for my own cell cradle and amplifier. The other cable plugs into the GPS cable then to my Garmin GPS mounted down on my console, where the gauge pack goes on the 2SS.

saabsonic · 06-16-2010, 12:09 PM

Correction...

At the top of my photo it actually shows a basic, 48", Code "D" FAKRA SRAIGHT JACK TO FAKRA STRAIGHT PLUG, RG174A/U COAX" (p/n: PE38752D-48) cable which I bought from Pasternack Enterprises (I actually bought three of these.) I cut a second cable in half, splicing an "N" female connector to one for my dummy load; and splicing an FME female connector to the other so I could connect my 3-watt cell amplifier. The dummy load and cable now plug into the purple jack on my OnStar box, while the other plugs into the purple shark fin antenna cable previously connected to my OnStar box, connecting my shark fin antenna with the cell amp.

If anyone would like a photo of the GPS cable I made up, let me know.

Coop · 06-18-2010, 07:24 PM

Would be nice to see a pic of that saabsonic. Also exactly where did you get those other wires and connectors (part numbers and such)?

saabsonic · 06-18-2010, 11:22 PM

CoStar BlueStar Update...

Received my BlueStar unit today but it's not working. Chris will get back with me again tomorrow, but I think it's not going to work since we've already tried several obvious fixes. Evidently he's programmed it for the 2010 Camaro with Bluetooth VCIM, and there must be some differences between that and our 2010 Camaros without the Bluetooth VCIM. Frustrating!

saabsonic · 06-18-2010, 11:28 PM

Coop, here's the info...

Here's info for the cables and dummy load needed to connect you own cell phone amp to the Camaro's shark fin antenna. If you are keeping, but no longer using the Camaro's OnStar cell function you will also need to add this dummy load, found at http://www.mgs4u.com/RF-Microwave/dummy-loads.htm for $19.

FAKRA cables are available from sales@pasternack.com. You need the purple key code "D" FAKRA straight jack to FAKRA straight plug. They are $20.55 ea. I bought the 48" variety and cut one in half, using one to connect the shark fin to my cell amp, and the other to connect the dummy load to the OnStar (VCIM) box's cell phone antenna jack.

The coax used is RG-174, so you will need suitable crimp connectors for your cell amplifier (mine uses FME female,) and "N" female crimp connector for the dummy load. These, as well as the crimping tool are available from www.showmecables.com

The part number for the "N" female connector is N-14L-TGN ($4.99) and for the FME female connector is FME-02L-DGN ($2.19)

Many thanks to SS Drifter for his help putting this together!

Brownhornitt · 06-19-2010, 01:00 AM

Subscribed

Brownhornitt · 06-22-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VT2CA

There are two separate onstar modules for use in the 2010 Camaro. They are made by Continental (who bought motorola's car division)
The basic box is part #20842730, it has only two fakra antenna connectors and no bluetooth emblem on this box

The other module is part # 20842731, has three fakra antennas one of which has a small bluetooth antenna attached. The box has a bluetooth emblem on it, some will find the antenna is not included as it is a seperate part: #15938939?

Does anyone know if that GM part number (15938939) for the antenna is correct or not?

If it is correct, how easy is it to buy it? It's on GM Parts Direct. Will it ship?

Iwantone2 · 06-22-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saabsonic

CoStar BlueStar Update...

Received my BlueStar unit today but it's not working. Chris will get back with me again tomorrow, but I think it's not going to work since we've already tried several obvious fixes. Evidently he's programmed it for the 2010 Camaro with Bluetooth VCIM, and there must be some differences between that and our 2010 Camaros without the Bluetooth VCIM. Frustrating!

Hmm...just a though, but did you try pulling the OnStar fuse before you plugged in the BlueStar unit? just a though, as there really isn't a huge difference between OnStar and non-OnStar Camaro's...

suhailrehman · 06-24-2010, 05:17 AM

@saabsonic,

Please keep us posted. Do you know if this will work on export spec models that do not have any of the on-star stuff? I can send you my car build sheet over email for details.

I have the C&C package for export spec, which includes bluetooth PDIM and phone controls on the steering and radio, but right now all they do is mute the audio.

Any comments on this? I'm looking forward to a solution soon, keeping fingers crossed

Iwantone2 · 06-24-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suhailrehman

@saabsonic,

Please keep us posted. Do you know if this will work on export spec models that do not have any of the on-star stuff? I can send you my car build sheet over email for details.

I have the C&C package for export spec, which includes bluetooth PDIM and phone controls on the steering and radio, but right now all they do is mute the audio.

Any comments on this? I'm looking forward to a solution soon, keeping fingers crossed

suhail, please see my post above (post 362). when you remove the glove box, you should see the white connectors (on the right side of the pic). if you do, then it should work

saabsonic · 06-30-2010, 11:04 AM

suhailrehman...

I have no idea, since CoStar isn't sure why their 2010 BlueStar box isn't working in my Camaro. It works about 90% right, but does some weird things which causes it to crash. I'm mailing back to CoStar today and am sure that Chris and Joe will get it figured out. For now I'm using a visor-mount Jabra Cruiser, which works great and is loweering my frustration level!

Keep us posted, thanks!

jeepguy_1980 · 07-01-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technoside2

I've got my old PDIM sitting around and I did try to open it. IT's all manufactured together. It's pretty hard to take apart. The Motherboard is soldered to the case by these 36 pins.
Attachment 126256
Attachment 126257

It's not soldered inside, the pins just connect it to another board inside the box. I believe the smaller board is the phone/GPS, but I'm going to do some more research.

jeepguy_1980 · 07-02-2010, 09:05 PM

Swapping the smaller card had no impact on the OnStar unit whatsoever. The unit and phone number were still both tied to the original account.

06-16-2010, 11:43 AM	#366
saabsonic Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 1SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Forestville, CA Posts: 50	FAKRA cables for cell and GPS Here's a shot of the cable I made up for connecting a dummy load to my OnStar box, so I could use the shark fin antenna instead for my own cell cradle and amplifier. The other cable plugs into the GPS cable then to my Garmin GPS mounted down on my console, where the gauge pack goes on the 2SS. Attached Images

06-18-2010, 07:24 PM	#368
Coop Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lawton/Fort Sill, OK Posts: 1,632	Would be nice to see a pic of that saabsonic. Also exactly where did you get those other wires and connectors (part numbers and such)? __________________ 2010 Camaro 1SS Inferno Orange Magnusson Supercharger Installed and Tuned by ADM Performance, Roto Fab CAI IOM painted, MBRP Cat Back Exhaust, Barton Industries Short Shifter, Clear Image Headers, Pedders coilovers, BMR Front/Rear sway bars Trailing Arms and End Links, VMax ported TB

06-19-2010, 01:00 AM	#371
Brownhornitt Drives: 2006 White Corvette Convertible Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 948 View My Garage	Subscribed __________________ The Corvette is an animal.

06-16-2010, 12:09 PM	#367
saabsonic Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 1SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Forestville, CA Posts: 50	Correction... At the top of my photo it actually shows a basic, 48", Code "D" FAKRA SRAIGHT JACK TO FAKRA STRAIGHT PLUG, RG174A/U COAX" (p/n: PE38752D-48) cable which I bought from Pasternack Enterprises (I actually bought three of these.) I cut a second cable in half, splicing an "N" female connector to one for my dummy load; and splicing an FME female connector to the other so I could connect my 3-watt cell amplifier. The dummy load and cable now plug into the purple jack on my OnStar box, while the other plugs into the purple shark fin antenna cable previously connected to my OnStar box, connecting my shark fin antenna with the cell amp. If anyone would like a photo of the GPS cable I made up, let me know.

06-18-2010, 11:22 PM	#369
saabsonic Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 1SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Forestville, CA Posts: 50	CoStar BlueStar Update... Received my BlueStar unit today but it's not working. Chris will get back with me again tomorrow, but I think it's not going to work since we've already tried several obvious fixes. Evidently he's programmed it for the 2010 Camaro with Bluetooth VCIM, and there must be some differences between that and our 2010 Camaros without the Bluetooth VCIM. Frustrating!

06-18-2010, 11:28 PM	#370
saabsonic Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 1SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Forestville, CA Posts: 50	Coop, here's the info... Here's info for the cables and dummy load needed to connect you own cell phone amp to the Camaro's shark fin antenna. If you are keeping, but no longer using the Camaro's OnStar cell function you will also need to add this dummy load, found at http://www.mgs4u.com/RF-Microwave/dummy-loads.htm for $19. FAKRA cables are available from sales@pasternack.com. You need the purple key code "D" FAKRA straight jack to FAKRA straight plug. They are $20.55 ea. I bought the 48" variety and cut one in half, using one to connect the shark fin to my cell amp, and the other to connect the dummy load to the OnStar (VCIM) box's cell phone antenna jack. The coax used is RG-174, so you will need suitable crimp connectors for your cell amplifier (mine uses FME female,) and "N" female crimp connector for the dummy load. These, as well as the crimping tool are available from www.showmecables.com The part number for the "N" female connector is N-14L-TGN ($4.99) and for the FME female connector is FME-02L-DGN ($2.19) Many thanks to SS Drifter for his help putting this together!

06-24-2010, 05:17 AM	#374
suhailrehman Drives: Chevy Camaro 2010 1LT Imperial Blue Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Doha, Qatar Posts: 42	@saabsonic, Please keep us posted. Do you know if this will work on export spec models that do not have any of the on-star stuff? I can send you my car build sheet over email for details. I have the C&C package for export spec, which includes bluetooth PDIM and phone controls on the steering and radio, but right now all they do is mute the audio. Any comments on this? I'm looking forward to a solution soon, keeping fingers crossed

06-30-2010, 11:04 AM	#376
saabsonic Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 1SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Forestville, CA Posts: 50	suhailrehman... I have no idea, since CoStar isn't sure why their 2010 BlueStar box isn't working in my Camaro. It works about 90% right, but does some weird things which causes it to crash. I'm mailing back to CoStar today and am sure that Chris and Joe will get it figured out. For now I'm using a visor-mount Jabra Cruiser, which works great and is loweering my frustration level! Keep us posted, thanks!

07-02-2010, 09:05 PM	#378
jeepguy_1980 Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newport News Posts: 1,310 View My Garage	Swapping the smaller card had no impact on the OnStar unit whatsoever. The unit and phone number were still both tied to the original account.