How-To: Changing Vcims GMT900.

Caprice89 · May 24, 2011

Hi, I have been checking most of the posts related to the BT VCIM swap. And now I'm checking Ebay for a VCIM. I have found several, to much for me to be sure I'll get the right one. I would like to get some expert advise from you guys. I need to be sure because I live in the Netherlands and refunds or returns are a lot harder from my location.

Here's my setup:

GMC Sierra Denali 2007 with Navi, DVD and Bose entertainement system. I have no need for Onstar, because there is no coverage in Europe.

I only want my cell phone connected to the onboard phone system.

So, I have seen several VCIM's: 20842731, 20829984, 20783877, 20756237. Which one is suitable for my system? I know I need the BT antenna 15938939.

Please can you advise me?

BTW: keep up the good work on this forum, it's an outstanding source of information.

Troops2990 · May 24, 2011

Hi, I have been checking most of the posts related to the BT VCIM swap. And now I'm checking Ebay for a VCIM. I have found several, to much for me to be sure I'll get the right one. I would like to get some expert advise from you guys. I need to be sure because I live in the Netherlands and refunds or returns are a lot harder from my location.
Here's my setup:

GMC Sierra Denali 2007 with Navi, DVD and Bose entertainement system. I have no need for Onstar, because there is no coverage in Europe.

I only want my cell phone connected to the onboard phone system.

So, I have seen several VCIM's: 20842731, 20829984, 20783877, 20756237. Which one is suitable for my system? I know I need the BT antenna 15938939.

Please can you advise me?

BTW: keep up the good work on this forum, it's an outstanding source of information.

I'm not sure if the same VCIM's will work in your truck as in mine since i don't have bose or nav but i have an 08 Sierra SLE2 and mine is 20829984 and it works perfect, i have a green light for onstar which works pretty good, sometimes they see the right vehicle, sometimes they don't but everything including the onstar app on my phone works perfectly.

RW1982 · May 25, 2011

The information on this forum is unmatched. Keep it up guys. I do have a further question about this topic, though. I have a 2011 SLE All-terrain that does not have the steering wheel mounted audio controls. I'm thinking about this bluetooth upgrade, anyone know what I would need to do to add the steering wheel controls. I assume I'll need them to operate the bluetooth? Can they be added to my existing steering wheel or would this involve a new steering wheel with the controls included?

Thanks and keep it up guys.

KCXLT · May 25, 2011

Hi, I have been checking most of the posts related to the BT VCIM swap. And now I'm checking Ebay for a VCIM. I have found several, to much for me to be sure I'll get the right one. I would like to get some expert advise from you guys. I need to be sure because I live in the Netherlands and refunds or returns are a lot harder from my location.
Here's my setup:

GMC Sierra Denali 2007 with Navi, DVD and Bose entertainement system. I have no need for Onstar, because there is no coverage in Europe.

I only want my cell phone connected to the onboard phone system.

So, I have seen several VCIM's: 20842731, 20829984, 20783877, 20756237. Which one is suitable for my system? I know I need the BT antenna 15938939.

Please can you advise me?

BTW: keep up the good work on this forum, it's an outstanding source of information.

I just changed mine last week for the 20829984 VCIM. I have an 08 Silverado LTZ with BOSE and Nav. What I found was the new VCIM was a few millimeters wider than the stock one, so it was a tight fit going into the bracket. I eventually got it in and it didn't break anything. Paired right away with my Blackberry. Voice dials off the BB using the steering wheel controls. I got mine for $215 plus shipping. It was listed as new. My Onstar light is red. I haven't tried pressing any Onstar buttons.

Doug_Scott · May 25, 2011

I bought one of the new vcims off of ebay last year. Worked flawlessly, even got OnStar to work 100% correctly (I have a 2010 so OnStar will work since bluetooth was an option on my truck). I do wonder though, how can these guys get so many new VCIMS when no one can apparently buy one from GM. And how does the Ebay price of $200 compare to GM's list price?

Edited May 25, 2011 by doug_scott

twojacksrods · May 26, 2011

I just wanted to chime in on this one. I have an 08 crew cab and swapped the VCIM to get the bluetooth one. Since the swap both lights on the mirror are green, but I haven't done anything with onstar. I have never been a subscriber so it didnt matter if it worked or not. I got my VCIM from car-part.com. It came with the antenna and I got it for $80 shipped to my door. Most of the other ones I have found on there are going for between $100 to $150. Car-part.com is a good alternative to ebay sometimes for factory parts. Hopefully this helps.

Caprice89 · May 26, 2011

thanks for the response. I will check car-part.com. I hope they ship to Europe.

And I'll guess I go for the 20829984.

@doug_scott: I think GM is giving us a hard time because of the mega-contract with OnStar. So they don't want you to enable Bluetooth and use your own provider but use OnStar. But they have to provide the new trucks with BT because the competition is doing that too.

The guys who are selling it on Ebay have it from the scrapyard or directly from the supplier (like Continental, LG and so on).

Doug_Scott · May 26, 2011

thanks for the response. I will check car-part.com. I hope they ship to Europe.
And I'll guess I go for the 20829984.

@doug_scott: I think GM is giving us a hard time because of the mega-contract with OnStar. So they don't want you to enable Bluetooth and use your own provider but use OnStar. But they have to provide the new trucks with BT because the competition is doing that too.

The guys who are selling it on Ebay have it from the scrapyard or directly from the supplier (like Continental, LG and so on).

Mine was brand new, never registered. I think we are saying the same thing, if it was an option on your vehicle, then adding the bluetooth VCIM will enable that option on your vehicle, meaning OnStar will work along with Bluetooth. If your vehicle did not have the option of having bluetooth, then you have to decide what you want, OnStar or Bluetooth. You won't get both.

I am not sure of the conspiracy theory, I am Canadian, we don't have conspiracies here. OnStar is sometimes cheaper than my cell phone when traveling. Going to the US is cheaper to use OnStar phone than it is to use my cell phone, due to roaming charges. Added to that, OnStar screwed up on applying a 40 min credit to my account, got 10 times the amount I was supposed to get, now it is real cheap to use their phone. Generally if you call in to complain about something, or have to call in to find out how to do something, they toss phone minutes at you to show their appreciation, especially around renewal time.

Caprice89 · May 26, 2011

I am not sure of the conspiracy theory, I am Canadian, we don't have conspiracies here.

LOL

Caprice89 · June 18, 2011

Finally, I have received my VCIM, which I bought from Ebay. Installed it like described in this topic, including the BT antenna.

Turned on the ignition, pressed the steering wheel button for 2 seconds and the system tells me: "Onstar ready". Then, when I tried to pair my phone, it doesn't understand the "bluetooth" command, nor the "pair" command. It just answers "Pardon?

When I try to pair from my phone, it does see a "General Motors" device to pair with, but when prompted for a PIN, I'm lost, since the system on the car should tell me the PIN during the procedure.

So, I guess Bluetooth is working, but the interface between the VCIM and the car is not. I guess I have VCIM (20787107) that is useless for my car...

Or perhaps someone has a bright suggestion? I am kinda lost here.

Troops2990 · June 18, 2011

Finally, I have received my VCIM, which I bought from Ebay. Installed it like described in this topic, including the BT antenna.
Turned on the ignition, pressed the steering wheel button for 2 seconds and the system tells me: "Onstar ready". Then, when I tried to pair my phone, it doesn't understand the "bluetooth" command, nor the "pair" command. It just answers "Pardon?

When I try to pair from my phone, it does see a "General Motors" device to pair with, but when prompted for a PIN, I'm lost, since the system on the car should tell me the PIN during the procedure.

So, I guess Bluetooth is working, but the interface between the VCIM and the car is not. I guess I have VCIM (20787107) that is useless for my car...

Or perhaps someone has a bright suggestion? I am kinda lost here.

after you hold the button for 2 seconds, instead of saying "bluetooth", say "onstar" first. After you say "onstar" then try to say "pair" or "bluetooth", i forget which, but that should get you working.

Caprice89 · June 21, 2011

after you hold the button for 2 seconds, instead of saying "bluetooth", say "onstar" first. After you say "onstar" then try to say "pair" or "bluetooth", i forget which, but that should get you working.

When I hold the button for 2 sec, the friendly lady says: "Onstar Ready". After that, she doesn't understand it when I say "Onstar". After a few words that she doesn't understand, she will list the available options. And "Bluetooth", "Onstar" or "Pair" isn't one of them.

Is this perhaps resolvable with a bit of re-progamming?

KCXLT · June 21, 2011

after you hold the button for 2 seconds, instead of saying "bluetooth", say "onstar" first. After you say "onstar" then try to say "pair" or "bluetooth", i forget which, but that should get you working.

When I hold the button for 2 sec, the friendly lady says: "Onstar Ready". After that, she doesn't understand it when I say "Onstar". After a few words that she doesn't understand, she will list the available options. And "Bluetooth", "Onstar" or "Pair" isn't one of them.

Is this perhaps resolvable with a bit of re-progamming?

After pushing the button for 2 seconds and it saying Onstar ready, try saying bluetooth instead of Onstar. This almost sounds like the way my wifes 2010 Equinox is, you don't have to say Onstar.

Troops2990 · June 21, 2011

after you hold the button for 2 seconds, instead of saying "bluetooth", say "onstar" first. After you say "onstar" then try to say "pair" or "bluetooth", i forget which, but that should get you working.

When I hold the button for 2 sec, the friendly lady says: "Onstar Ready". After that, she doesn't understand it when I say "Onstar". After a few words that she doesn't understand, she will list the available options. And "Bluetooth", "Onstar" or "Pair" isn't one of them.

Is this perhaps resolvable with a bit of re-progamming?

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but those are the options i was given on the VCIM that i had in my truck that didn't have bluetooth. when you installed it, was there 3 little connectors that look kinda like the male end of a tv jack?? with the bluetooth antenna plugging into the one that is on the top center??