Vcim Came In Today

[gobblerhuntr]

2007 Sierra GMT-900 SLT

 

I got my VCIM in today and wanting to install it, but before I do can someone tell me where it is located in the truck or point me to some instructions with picutres so I can tear into this thing?

[ChevyTech77]

2007 Sierra GMT-900 SLT

 

I got my VCIM in today and wanting to install it, but before I do can someone tell me where it is located in the truck or point me to some instructions with picutres so I can tear into this thing?

 

It's directly under the radio/hvac controls in the center of the dash just under the face panel (sorry, picture will not upload right).

 

You do realize that their is an extensive programming and setup routine for vcim's, right?

[gobblerhuntr]

2007 Sierra GMT-900 SLT

 

I got my VCIM in today and wanting to install it, but before I do can someone tell me where it is located in the truck or point me to some instructions with picutres so I can tear into this thing?

 

It's directly under the radio/hvac controls in the center of the dash just under the face panel (sorry, picture will not upload right).

 

You do realize that their is an extensive programming and setup routine for vcim's, right?

 

 

 

 

 

Extensive no, I did not realize that. Can you elaborate?

[ChevyTech77]

Extensive no, I did not realize that. Can you elaborate?

 

Communication Interface Module Programming and Setup

 

Each of the following service procedures require programming or setup procedures to be performed on the communication interface module.

 

Communication Interface Module Replacement

Note:

 

• It is critical to use the service replacement Communication Interface Module (CIM) only in the vehicle for which it was ordered.

 

• Failure to perform the following procedures will result in a red LED, DTC(s) being set, and limited or incomplete OnStar® services

 

• An OnStar® button-press to the OnStar® call center is not required to complete the procedure.

 

• It may take up to 24 hours for OnStar® service to become fully activated after performing the procedures.

 

• Perform the following procedure only once. Repeat attempts of the procedure may result in a delay of the activation process.

 

• To fully activate an OnStar® module, both the setup and activation request procedures must be completed on all vehicles with AND without an active OnStar® subscription to insure the unit has been setup properly for the vehicle it has been installed into and also to update the OnStar® with the correct unit information.

 

• To initialize the Turn-by-Turn feature, the vehicle must first be driven 8-16 km (5-10 miles) in order to allow the system to self-calibrate the dead reckoning feature.

 

• Use of a J 2534-compatible diagnostic tool interface is required when performing the SPS supported OnStar® Activation (ONSA) procedures.

 

• On vehicles up-fitted with TTY capabilities, it is necessary to perform a power cycle of the OnStar® Interface Module (OTIM), and toggle the TTY mode after completing the CIM installation and setup procedures.

 

 

1. Connect the scan tool to the vehicle.

    

2. Connect the Techline Information System (TIS) terminal to the scan tool.

    

3. Using the J2534 interface perform OnStar® activation by selecting the ONSA-OnStar® Activation option.

    

4. Upon completion of the OnStar® activation event (ONSA), disconnect the TIS terminal from the scan tool

    

5. Select and perform the VCIM-Vehicle Communication Interface Module Setup (VCIM) option, based on vehicle application, using the Scan tool.

    

6. The default language for the new VCIM is English. To change the language to French or Spanish, access the scan tool.

    

7. Inform the customer that it may take up to 24 hours for the OnStar® service to become fully activated.

    

As you can see, if you don't have access to a GM scan tool or the GM programming database, the module will not work after it is put in the vehicle. 90% of GM modules are that way. They have to be programmed using the GM programming database to work.

[gobblerhuntr]

Extensive no, I did not realize that. Can you elaborate?

 

Communication Interface Module Programming and Setup

 

Each of the following service procedures require programming or setup procedures to be performed on the communication interface module.

 

Communication Interface Module Replacement

Note:

 

• It is critical to use the service replacement Communication Interface Module (CIM) only in the vehicle for which it was ordered.

 

• Failure to perform the following procedures will result in a red LED, DTC(s) being set, and limited or incomplete OnStar® services

 

• An OnStar® button-press to the OnStar® call center is not required to complete the procedure.

 

• It may take up to 24 hours for OnStar® service to become fully activated after performing the procedures.

 

• Perform the following procedure only once. Repeat attempts of the procedure may result in a delay of the activation process.

 

• To fully activate an OnStar® module, both the setup and activation request procedures must be completed on all vehicles with AND without an active OnStar® subscription to insure the unit has been setup properly for the vehicle it has been installed into and also to update the OnStar® with the correct unit information.

 

• To initialize the Turn-by-Turn feature, the vehicle must first be driven 8-16 km (5-10 miles) in order to allow the system to self-calibrate the dead reckoning feature.

 

• Use of a J 2534-compatible diagnostic tool interface is required when performing the SPS supported OnStar® Activation (ONSA) procedures.

 

• On vehicles up-fitted with TTY capabilities, it is necessary to perform a power cycle of the OnStar® Interface Module (OTIM), and toggle the TTY mode after completing the CIM installation and setup procedures.

 

 

1. Connect the scan tool to the vehicle.

    

2. Connect the Techline Information System (TIS) terminal to the scan tool.

    

3. Using the J2534 interface perform OnStar® activation by selecting the ONSA-OnStar® Activation option.

    

4. Upon completion of the OnStar® activation event (ONSA), disconnect the TIS terminal from the scan tool

    

5. Select and perform the VCIM-Vehicle Communication Interface Module Setup (VCIM) option, based on vehicle application, using the Scan tool.

    

6. The default language for the new VCIM is English. To change the language to French or Spanish, access the scan tool.

    

7. Inform the customer that it may take up to 24 hours for the OnStar® service to become fully activated.

    

As you can see, if you don't have access to a GM scan tool or the GM programming database, the module will not work after it is put in the vehicle. 90% of GM modules are that way. They have to be programmed using the GM programming database to work.

 

 

is this process just to get on* working?? will bt work without doing this. I do not care if on* works but would like all the options of bt to work.

[mc7719]

If you are just replacing the module to get the Bluetooth function, then NO, there is no programming necessary, its plug and play (and all the functions, i.e. steering wheel controls, caller ID, fan/radio control, etc., work).

 

I did this last month on my '07 SLT. I have no OnStar capability (yet) I have a red LED on the mirror, but may try to get it working at some point with the instructions above from my guy at GM. I don't believe anyone has gotten OnStar & Bluetooth working by swapping VCIMs yet that I've read in the miles of threads out there.. I could be wrong. I was never an OnStar subscriber, so I figure I'm not missing anything. The Bluetooth function has by far paid for itself. Prob the best mod I've done to my truck thus far.

 

You mentioned it was an SLT, so I'll assume that's the dash style you have. Here was my install.

VCIM swap

[mc7719]

*Delete* Duplicate post.

[ChevyTech77]

Didnt know that you were soley replacing it just for the BT upgrade.

[mc7719]

Thanks for the directions above. Going to visit a friend of mine that's a service tech at GM when he's got a free moment and try to get this thing reprogrammed and turn that little bugger of an LED to green!

[gobblerhuntr]

It worked as planned, had a little trouble getting the old vcim out and new one in. I have to take radio out to get enough slack to pull vcim out. Then putting it back in was a pain in the butt.

 

The programming of the on* has to be done at the dealership? Would another type scan tool be able to do it?

[ChevyTech77]

It worked as planned, had a little trouble getting the old vcim out and new one in. I have to take radio out to get enough slack to pull vcim out. Then putting it back in was a pain in the butt.

 

The programming of the on* has to be done at the dealership? Would another type scan tool be able to do it?

 

Dealer only.

[Spurshot]

I put in a 09 Bluetooth VCIM and the BT antennae last year. I didn't do any initialization procedure or programming. I just wanted BT and didn't give a rat about Onstar. Bluetooth and the emergency Onstar button work perfectly. I have no Onstar subscription. Again, the red emergency button with the little cross on it will connect with an Onstar emergency operator. I did it twice. So if your excuse for getting Onstar is the emergency response, don't bother with the subscription. Something they probably didn't want you to know.

[VO1BMD]

It worked as planned, had a little trouble getting the old vcim out and new one in. I have to take radio out to get enough slack to pull vcim out. Then putting it back in was a pain in the butt.

 

The programming of the on* has to be done at the dealership? Would another type scan tool be able to do it?

 

Dealer only.

 

 

I may be wrong but I am pretty sure the dealer WILL NOT get your On* working after you swap your 2007 VCIM with a newer one with BT. There are plenty of posts here about what others have done and as far as I can tell, I am one of the few to get an almost 100% working scenario. My BT works as planned, my On* partially works in that I CAN place calls thru On* and contact them BUT On* sees me as driving a 2009 Acadia, NOT my 2007 Silv

[Doug_Scott]

It worked as planned, had a little trouble getting the old vcim out and new one in. I have to take radio out to get enough slack to pull vcim out. Then putting it back in was a pain in the butt.

 

The programming of the on* has to be done at the dealership? Would another type scan tool be able to do it?

 

Dealer only.

 

 

I may be wrong but I am pretty sure the dealer WILL NOT get your On* working after you swap your 2007 VCIM with a newer one with BT. There are plenty of posts here about what others have done and as far as I can tell, I am one of the few to get an almost 100% working scenario. My BT works as planned, my On* partially works in that I CAN place calls thru On* and contact them BUT On* sees me as driving a 2009 Acadia, NOT my 2007 Silv

 

 

Wonder what would happen if you swapped your vcim for a brand new one. The one I got from ebay was brand new and not pre-programmed for any vehicle. I have a 2010 that I did the swap in, and have 100% functioning On*, but that is most likely due to having a truck that bluetooth was available to begin with.