Onstar Problem
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Onstar Problem
Does the dealer have to do something in hardware to activate the blue button on OnStar ? I pressed the blue button and nothing happens so I pressed the emergency button and got Onstar. They could not connect to my car to diagnose the problem but apparently the phone works since they could talk to me. The red light on the right side of my mirror is on steady. Does anyone know what it means ? I hate to make another trip to the dealer if its something simple.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Owosso MI
The red LED indicates a DTC (diagnostic trouble code) in the VCIM or Onstar module and also it does not have a backup battery.
The DTC will need to be retrieved with a tech 2, unless you know somebody who has one, you'll need to visit your local GM dealership
The DTC will need to be retrieved with a tech 2, unless you know somebody who has one, you'll need to visit your local GM dealership
Last edited by 09 GMX245; Jan 6, 2011 at 08:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
I guess my question is does a dealer have to do something with OnStar during PDI to make it function ? Does a cable have to be hooked up or something. The selling dealer was not the dealer that did the PDI so I think they will not know what to do. Is there a fuse that could be blown or something ?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Owosso MI
I guess my question is does a dealer have to do something with OnStar during PDI to make it function ? Does a cable have to be hooked up or something. The selling dealer was not the dealer that did the PDI so I think they will not know what to do. Is there a fuse that could be blown or something ?
During the PDI, the LED just needs to be confirmed it's green and if not, it should have been corrected at that time.
If the fuse was blown, there would be no LED illuminated.
Also you indicated the Onstar button does nothing as in doesn't mute the radio or respond, if that is the case, you have a B1001 dtc in the VCIM, take it to the dealership, it's a easy fix.
Last edited by 09 GMX245; Jan 6, 2011 at 09:12 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Illinois
I installed a new head unit Kenwood dnx9960 along with a new amp and speakers in a 2010 which had the bose system. everything works fine except my on-star button when pushed the dash says" connecting", it mutes the and then it hits a time out and cancels. NO sound. A audio guys told me that the on-star has to has a separate speaker to work through the Bose amp? ???? SOmething doesn't sound right. The kenwood unit mutes but I get no real connection which tells me something is wrong maybe with the communication module not speakers. I used a Pac-audio connector swi-jck for steering controls. Anyone heard of this problem when changing out a head unit and all speakers and amp?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Illinois
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 76
From: Marshall, Missouri
About 6 weeks ago I replaced my factory radio (non-Bose with OnStar and XM) with a Kenwood DNX6960 Nav/Audio unit. I used a PAC OS-2C Non Bose Interface and a Axxees ASWC (Metra) Steering Wheel Controls Interface. My OnStar works just like it did with the fractory radio. However, my car had the standard radio and non-Bose amp and speakers. I retained the factory Delco amp and speakers - all I changed was the radio.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,194
Likes: 305
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
SoCal Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12
same problem in one of my new vettes. the on star light was red instead of green. the pos dealership in phoenix did a lousy pre check on the car. i found several other things and had those taken care of while i was picking the car up but the on star, they tried to b.s. me about it but bottom line is there is a problem in the on star unit.
I have not had mine fixed yet and have not missed it either.
I have not had mine fixed yet and have not missed it either.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dealer tried to set up my onstar on my brand new Vette at delivery and nothing happened when you hit the button. Emergency button worked but that's it. He tried to troubleshoot it with the advisor while I was there but nothing. He said I would probably need a new mirror as the button was faulty. I didn't have time to wait around and I won't be using it anyway so I left and will take it to a nearby dealer before I put it away next winter and have them replace the mirror so it will work.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,350
Likes: 538
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
Same problem with a 2010 GS. Charged the battery after sitting for a few months. Pressed the OnStar button to sign up for the drawing. No connection. Emergency button worked, blue button did not. They said it needs servicing.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Illinois
do your buttons light up???? I understood from reading that if you loose main battery power the back-up battery on the on-star side kicks in. but once that main battery is back to power teh on-star battery because it has completely discharged and does not recharge needs to be replace. I was thinking just yesterday that I may very well have the same problem with all the battery disconnects I've gone through doing all this work
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,350
Likes: 538
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
I get the red light. It was blinking when I was talking to the emergency center. Strange the emergency button worked but not the blue OnStar button.
Did not know that the OnStar system has its own backup battery.
Do not know if the failure had anything to do with the dead battery but I will be ordering a Ctek charger for next winter.
Did not know that the OnStar system has its own backup battery.
Do not know if the failure had anything to do with the dead battery but I will be ordering a Ctek charger for next winter.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Illinois
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,018
Likes: 2,590
From: Northern VA, USA
If it's under warranty, visit any dealership and it will be fixed.
During the PDI, the LED just needs to be confirmed it's green and if not, it should have been corrected at that time.
If the fuse was blown, there would be no LED illuminated.
Also you indicated the Onstar button does nothing as in doesn't mute the radio or respond, if that is the case, you have a B1001 dtc in the VCIM, take it to the dealership, it's a easy fix.
During the PDI, the LED just needs to be confirmed it's green and if not, it should have been corrected at that time.
If the fuse was blown, there would be no LED illuminated.
Also you indicated the Onstar button does nothing as in doesn't mute the radio or respond, if that is the case, you have a B1001 dtc in the VCIM, take it to the dealership, it's a easy fix.
Dealer said they ran through testing procedures and are replacing the BCM. Seems extreme as this is the only thing wrong. Any more input into the fix for B1001?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Owosso MI
If the B1001 is in the VCIM, only a VCIM setup needs to be performed. Hopefully your vehicle is under warranty as it seems they may be doing more than is required. Technically the B1001 in the VCIM should never appear, unless the VCIM was replaced and the setup procedure was missed when programming the new module.
If they correct the concern and it is under warranty, then it's all good.
VCIM=Onstar module
If they correct the concern and it is under warranty, then it's all good.
VCIM=Onstar module
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,018
Likes: 2,590
From: Northern VA, USA
If the B1001 is in the VCIM, only a VCIM setup needs to be performed. Hopefully your vehicle is under warranty as it seems they may be doing more than is required. Technically the B1001 in the VCIM should never appear, unless the VCIM was replaced and the setup procedure was missed when programming the new module.
If they correct the concern and it is under warranty, then it's all good.
VCIM=Onstar module
If they correct the concern and it is under warranty, then it's all good.
VCIM=Onstar module
You are right, if they fix it, I guess I don't car how.
Thanks again.
Jeff
Wil Cooksey #256
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 24
From: Sacramento Kalifornia
I installed a new head unit Kenwood dnx9960 along with a new amp and speakers in a 2010 which had the bose system. everything works fine except my on-star button when pushed the dash says" connecting", it mutes the and then it hits a time out and cancels. NO sound. A audio guys told me that the on-star has to has a separate speaker to work through the Bose amp? ???? SOmething doesn't sound right. The kenwood unit mutes but I get no real connection which tells me something is wrong maybe with the communication module not speakers. I used a Pac-audio connector swi-jck for steering controls. Anyone heard of this problem when changing out a head unit and all speakers and amp?
Just a thought...
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: San Leandro California
If the B1001 is in the VCIM, only a VCIM setup needs to be performed. Hopefully your vehicle is under warranty as it seems they may be doing more than is required. Technically the B1001 in the VCIM should never appear, unless the VCIM was replaced and the setup procedure was missed when programming the new module.
If they correct the concern and it is under warranty, then it's all good.
VCIM=Onstar module
If they correct the concern and it is under warranty, then it's all good.
VCIM=Onstar module