Bluetooth In Non-bt Trucks Yes It Works

VO1BMD · June 15, 2010

Well... it works! YES you can swap your older VCIM for a newer VCIM with BT and have it 100% working!!!!!

Just got finished with On* (45 minutes on the phone doing remote diags!) This was the third (3) time contacting them but they were great! Slow, but great!

I told them I had just bought this 2007 CC Silverado and had a red LED on the mirror. Originally, the first call and they thought I was Mr. XXX from KY driving a Silver 2009 Acadia. I told them who I was and my truck was a used 2007 Silverado, gave them my VIN etc. started the change over but I ended up with a phone # 123 456 7890. Called them back a couple days later and spoke with Pat, he got my number changed to a 902 area code but in PEI, not Nova Scotia (PEI is a small province and they use our area code 902 also) and I got my first email from On* stating there was a problem with my diagnostics. Their tech support called me tonight on my cell (Thanks Samantha from On*) and had me re-connect with them from the truck. Spoke with Rose and she started trouble shooting my system, took 45+ minutes, but finally she came back and said I still have a minor problem, possible antenna connection, and should contact my dealer at my discretion to have it looked at, BUT IT WORKS!!! Rose said the RED LED will come on from time to time because of the antenna error (I should have wrote down the error code she gave me!!!) but everything is functioning!!!

- I have a WORKING On* system WITH Bluetooth in my 2nd edition 2007 Silverado CC by doing the VCIM swap

- They gave me 130 min free for the inconvenience! (I have 129 left!! And it tells me so on my DIC!!!)

- FREE trip planner for 6 months

- I have a 902 area code local number that works!

YES... I called from the truck using On* and it works!! I have a 902-956-XXX number that my wife saw on call display. Had to push the On* button to call because the BT kept connecting with my wife's phone in the house!!! 50+ feet away through 2 walls no less!!!

So... to everyone out there... On* can make a VCIM with BT work in an older GM vehicle! I am 100% living proof it can be done! I don't know what they did but it works!!!

Good luck to everyone else in the same boat... may the gods of technology smile down on you...

Regards;

Duane

C. Charles Hahn · June 15, 2010

I don't know what they did but it works!!!

This is exactly what needs to be overcome. We know people have been able to get things working, but it's anything but consistent. If we could come up with a consistent method of making things work, either via the dealership route or by knowing what to tell the OnStar techs to do on their end remotely, it would be one thing; but that still hasn't happened. That is what is extremely frustrating.

Congrats on getting yours working though!

VO1BMD · June 15, 2010

I don't know what they did but it works!!!

This is exactly what needs to be overcome. We know people have been able to get things working, but it's anything but consistent. If we could come up with a consistent method of making things work, either via the dealership route or by knowing what to tell the OnStar techs to do on their end remotely, it would be one thing; but that still hasn't happened. That is what is extremely frustrating.

Congrats on getting yours working though!

I will call them back tomorrow and see if I can get any better info... I had to cut the call short tonight because its a school night and I had the kids to get ready.

One note: I logged on to my On* account and it shows my 2007 Silv and a 2009 Acadia!

Will let you know of the outcome...

C. Charles Hahn · June 15, 2010

One note: I logged on to my On* account and it shows my 2007 Silv and a 2009 Acadia!

You don't actually own a 2009 Acadia though, correct? That 2009 Acadia is what your VCIM came out of....

VO1BMD · June 15, 2010

Charlie, once again you are 100% correct!!! (you do know we hate you for that right ;)

I jumped the gun again.... I guess I am too hopeful that a solution can be found to resolve the ongoing issue of 100% On* function with BT by doing the VCIM swap.

Logged on again this AM and I have a report for a 2009 ACADIA (where I got the VCIM) but the Silverado is nil! On* thinks my VCIM is in an Acadia and so there is the same issues noted by many others. Even tho the VCIM is 100% functioning (BT, On* phone #, emerg access, etc) they don't see the correct vehicle! I won't be able to call them today, but tomorrow I will call them again and see if I can find an answer.

Altho I am close, I do believe Charlie is right... I am close because the VCIM I have is from an existing GM vehicle and not a new 'fresh' unit that GM doesn't have in their database.

Will post again when/if I find something new...

chris hrbacek · June 17, 2010

Charlie, once again you are 100% correct!!! (you do know we hate you for that right ;)
I jumped the gun again.... I guess I am too hopeful that a solution can be found to resolve the ongoing issue of 100% On* function with BT by doing the VCIM swap.

Logged on again this AM and I have a report for a 2009 ACADIA (where I got the VCIM) but the Silverado is nil! On* thinks my VCIM is in an Acadia and so there is the same issues noted by many others. Even tho the VCIM is 100% functioning (BT, On* phone #, emerg access, etc) they don't see the correct vehicle! I won't be able to call them today, but tomorrow I will call them again and see if I can find an answer.

Altho I am close, I do believe Charlie is right... I am close because the VCIM I have is from an existing GM vehicle and not a new 'fresh' unit that GM doesn't have in their database.

Will post again when/if I find something new... cruisin do you have the radio controls on yous steering wheel

C. Charles Hahn · June 18, 2010

Chris, he has to have the steering wheel controls, otherwise the Bluetooth function would not work.

You'll need to add said controls to your truck if you do not have them currently before adding a Bluetooth-equipped VCIM.

Fyrcaptain · June 21, 2010

I'm gonna guess that this only works on the new GM 29-Bit LAN systems and not the Class II data Bus systems (pre-07) with On*....

C. Charles Hahn · June 21, 2010

I'm gonna guess that this only works on the new GM 29-Bit LAN systems and not the Class II data Bus systems (pre-07) with On*....

Correct. HOWEVER, you GMT800 guys do have another option for factory integration.

The 2009 GMT360s (Trailblazer/Envoy) came equipped with Bluetooth as part of their OnStar modules; and those SUVs were still using the older Class II system. I've heard at least a couple people say that they were able to install '09 GMT360 VCIMs in their 2003-2007 GMT800s and successfully gain Bluetooth functionality. Not sure about OnStar account activation though, it may be the same situation that those of us who have upgraded our '07-08 GMT900s are in.

I posted the part number information for the GMT360 VCIMs somewhere here in the past; I don't recall exactly where though. Run a search and you'll probably find it, or I can grab the part number again off my '09 tonight if you want it.