For those of you who followed my threads at http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1483553 and http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1483526

whereby I purchased an XM module for installation into my car equipped with NAV radio, but without XM, I made a phone call today after reading the information from Shopdog in one ot the threads.

While it was known that the BCM would require reprogramming for the non NAV head units, it was not until now, at least to me, known that the same requirement was in effect for the NAV head units.

I made a phone call today to my local dealer and was told by the service manager that GM would not allow them to reprogram my car's BCM which would in turn allow the removal of the anti theft feature of the XM module by recognizing the VIN number of that module.

This was very likely BS and I knew that all I need do was locate a dealer willing to do what I needed done with the Tech II tool. I made another call to another dealership, but the service department was closed, but to call their service manager tomorrow morning to ask my question.

So I Lets see. Reprogram my BCM so that it accepts the new XM module that I bought at Carlisle over the weekend out of a totaled C6.

If they reprogram the BCM to do such a thing, could I wind up with other electrical gremlins as a result, in a car which has performed flawlessly to this point?



Did some more reading on the forum and . They are likely going to charge me .5 to 1hrs labor to do this.............if they do it.

And came to a decision.



Purchased brand new from my local Circuit City for $94.00



Everything you need to just hook into the car's harness with no antitheft bull$#!+. And some argue that the programming is better quality than XM anyway.



You can't see it, but on the back of the box it specifically states '05 '06Corvette.



I had left the wiring harness out from last night. It was a simple matter to just plug it up. Took less than 30 seconds using the supplied cable. You want to use the cable which is on the left of the module in the second photo. The one WITHOUT the yellow wires on it and the three connectors. Use the one with the two connectors.



Car was already apart. The XM module can be seen in this pic. Now its just a matter of running the Sirius antenna, which I put to the side of my inspection sticker on the driver's side dash, and you are ready to rock and roll. Stuffed everything into that cubby hole where the module goes, put it back together and had it activated.





Works perfectly. (Though in the garage with the garage door closed there is no signal.)

BTW, anyone want to buy an XM module? I'll cut you a great deal on it.

 

The BCM does NOT need to be reprogrammed. Your car's VIN is its VIN, and must not be changed under federal law. What has to be done is the XM module has to be configured with a Tech II to have the same VIN as the car. This is a simple 5 minute procedure that changes nothing except the VIN stored in the XM module.

Since you went ahead and bought a Sirius module, this information is moot for you, but may be helpful for anyone else who wishes to install a used XM module in their car.

 

no contest!

sirius has great programming and seems to be garnering the market share. xm may not be around in five years.

my set up and install was much simpler. since i just have the basic sound system in my c6, i put a small sirius unit inside my console and tapped into the accessory power there. then i ran the antenna wire forward and up to the far right side of the dash. reception is just as good as when i use it in my volvo wagon, where the antenna is mounted on the roof.

 

Unless either system comes up with a way to send HD quality sound neither may be around in 5 years.

Tom

 

I see. Well, in any event, I called one other dealership this morning and spoke with the service manager, even though I now have Sirius because I will be selling the XM module.

He also says that he can't (or won't) do it either.

The only thing I can figure is their reluctance could be based on them not knowing if the module is stolen or not???? Or bought from a chop shop? Or just not being familiar with how to go about this procedure you describe above.

I don't know, but I do know that the Sirius module hooked up without a hitch. I don't need to call all over to find a "competent" and willing dealership, and I am listening to satellite radio right now for about $25.00 more than I paid for that XM module.

 

so,how did the radio recognize the module without BCM programming??My local dealer said they'd need to call and get a VCI #,than they can program the bcm(for the xm module,non-nav radio).

 

Interesting. The radio is a NAV radio and recognized the factory XM module with no trouble whatsoever. Its just that after a few minutes, it would give the XM locked message and none of the XM buttons would work I called yet another dealer today out of curiosity following Shopdog's post and got a similar response to the one you describe above. .

1. I told them I had a factory XM module, purchased used, and that I would get the XM Locked message. I explained that I thought that it had to do with the antitheft features since the module came from out of a different car with obviously a different VIN number.

2. His response was, "thats probably true, did you call XM?" I told him yes and after I called and got it activated, thats when it locked.

3. He said " Well, while we have never done anything like this before, I am sure that it can be unlocked. We'd have to contact GM and get (some sort of????) number and then it should work OK.

4. I asked: "How much would something like that cost?" His response: Well the hourly labor rated is $56.00. Its difficult to say because we have never done such a thing, but I would count on at least that much."

Now this is a dealership located about 40-45 miles from where I live. Throw in gas money on top of that $56.00, and a wasted day to take it in to that dealership and the $94.00 I spent last nite on the Sirius module doesn't look bad at all.

I think the bottom line in all of this is if you are going to add a factory XM module to your C6, be sure ahead of time that there will be a dealer who is willing and able to do what is necessary to get the module to work without going into that locked mode.

Secondly, adding Sirius is a LOT less hassle and the quality of programming is at least comparable to XM if not better according to many.

 

*BUMP* for anyone searching around for an answer.

There is a fix and it is all outlined in the following thread:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-resolved.html

The module can be "unlocked."