Radio won't shut off, update available.

Bigfoot98 · March 4, 2021

Hi all,

So my truck is now receiving OTA updates after subscribing to OnStar data and visiting the dealer for the U150 update. Today I went to park and when I did the truck said there was an update available for OnStar 4.24(I believe). I ignored it and shut the truck off but when I opened the door the radio did not turn off. I was a little startled by this so I tried to press the button for audio on off and sure enough it turned off. But when pressed again it turned right back on and would not shut off with the door closed.

So I figured that since I am now late for what I was doing I may as well install the update, after 10 minutes it finished and sure enough it works normal again.

So since after a little research I found this to be normal I figured I'd make this post for others to reference in the T1 forum with an easy to search title.

I also think that if GM sees this that they should include the following on screen pop up and warrning:

A warning chime and on screen pop up that activates to indicate to the vehicle operator the reason for the non shut off

A timer until automatic shut off

A button that says install now in this pop up

A button that appears on screen to turn off the radio now in this pop up

A button that says OK don't do this again for this update I will manually install when ready

I think this would make things easier on the driver then trying to figure out why after clicking install later the radio won't shut off and possibly making unnecessary service visits and downtime associated with what is apparently normal operation.

Just my .02

Controller23 · March 9, 2021

I had this problem as well. Cleared after about a week. I suspect it was attempting to force the update as soon as the truck was turned off, and the radio was a byproduct

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derikao · March 16, 2021

i got everything you listed and i am going to try installing the radio soon, i think we have the same car? mines a 2003 Passat W8 4motion sedan. Tutuapp 9Apps Showbox

Edited March 16, 2021 by derikao

Spyderwebb · March 16, 2021

This happened to me Saturday morning, it installed the update then the radio would not turn off after shutting the truck off. I cycled it a few times thinking it would correct itself, never did so I took it immediately to the the dealership. The mechanic said he hadn't seen them do that before but finally got it to correct itself after a few on/off cycles. Said he was goin to disconnect the batter if that didn't work. All seems fine now but a weird experience, didn't know there was another update coming either!

redwngr · March 16, 2021

https://gm-techlink.com/?p=14502

Tips for Over-The-Air Software Programming

March 12, 2021

Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates (Fig. 1) that are pushed to vehicles remotely continue to expand in frequency and use on GM models. Vehicles using the Global A electrical architecture can support three modules for OTA updates, such as the radio, OnStar, and Serial Data Gateway modules.

Fig. 1

The new Vehicle Intelligence Platform (VIP) electrical architecture, introduced on some 2020 and 2021 model year vehicles, powers a new electronic system that is capable of managing up to 4.5 terabytes of data processing power per hour, which is a fivefold increase in capability over the previous Global A electrical architecture. On vehicles using the VIP architecture, virtually all modules can support OTA updates, which means that the OTA software is not only for the infotainment system.

When an OTA update has been downloaded to a vehicle and is available to be installed, a message is displayed on the infotainment screen notifying the driver of the impending update. The message to accept and install an OTA update will not appear until the minimum values for the battery State of Charge (SOC) and Outside Ambient Temperature (OAT) are met.

OTA Software Download

In order for an OTA update to be pushed to a vehicle, the vehicle must be parked for the entire download process. There is not a notification to the driver that the software update is being downloaded to the vehicle. Battery SOC and OAT values are not checked before a download. These checks are only performed once the software update is downloaded and ready to be installed.

The OTA software download can occur in increments. So if the vehicle is driven during the download process, the download will be paused until the vehicle is parked and download conditions are met again.

Installing an Update

Once the OTA software is downloaded, a message on the infotainment screen will display a prompt to accept the installation. The customer does not need to remain in the vehicle during the installation of the software. However, the vehicle cannot be driven during the installation and certain vehicle features may not be available. It’s not required for the ignition to be ON for the installation to begin.

Installation time will vary based on the size of the update. The average installation will take approximately 15 minutes. (Fig. 2) Depending on the module, it may take longer to complete. The “Accept” message on the infotainment screen will provide an estimation of the approximate installation time.

Fig. 2

Deferring or Declining an Update

When an OTA update is downloaded, customers have the option to defer or decline the installation. The standard policy for OTA software updates is to set the customer notifications to 30 ignitions cycles. If the customer does not act upon the prompts within this counter, the update package is removed from the vehicle.

If a customer ignores the notification, the ignition cycle counter decreases by one immediately.

If the customer defers the installation by selecting the “Remind Me Later” option, the ignition cycle counter decreases by one, but it will not decrease again until after the customer-selected “Remind Me Later” period, regardless of the number of ignition cycles that occur during that period.

If the OTA update installation is deferred by the customer, it can be installed at a later date through the Vehicle Software menu under Settings > System on the infotainment screen. (Fig. 3)

If the customer selects the “Decline Update” option, the update package is immediately removed from the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle will not be re-enrolled to receive the OTA update at a later date, unless the update is a Field Action. OTA updates will not be installed in a vehicle without a customer’s consent.

Fig. 3

Unable to Complete

There are a number of criteria that must be met in order to successfully complete the software update installation on a vehicle. The most common cause of being unable to complete an installation is the State of Charge (SOC) of the 12V battery. If the 12V battery does not meet the minimum SOC requirement of 70 percent or greater along with an Outside Ambient Temperature (OAT) greater than 14°F (-10°C), the OTA update installation will not occur. The colder the ambient air temperature is, the higher the target SOC becomes. To determine the battery SOC for VIP vehicles, go to BCM/12V Battery/Battery Sensor Module – State of Charge in GDS 2.

There may be other conditions that will affect an OTA update installation. If any of these conditions are present, a “Vehicle Conditions Not Ideal” message may display on the infotainment screen stating that conditions are not ideal to proceed with the update installation. These conditions do not indicate a failure; only that the vehicle does not meet all the criteria necessary to complete the OTA update installation. (Fig. 4)

Some customers may comment that the radio appears to stay on or is backlit after exiting the vehicle. If this occurs, it’s a telltale sign that an OTA update is in progress.

Fig. 4

Proper Battery Charging

If a low battery SOC is preventing the OTA update installation, the 12V battery should be charged to meet the target SOC of 70 percent.

On some GM models, connecting the battery charger directly to the 12V battery posts will bypass the Battery Sensor Module, resulting in a default SOC value of 65 percent and a “Conditions Not Met” message.

TIP: The Battery Sensor Module (Fig. 5) is attached directly to the battery negative terminal. It determines the battery condition by calculating the battery SOC, functions, and state of health, which is used to help determine if the 12V Stop/Start system will allow an Auto Stop when the vehicle has come to a stop. To properly charge the battery, the negative lead of the charger must be connected to chassis ground, and not directly to the negative battery post. Connecting to chassis ground allows current to flow through the Battery Sensor Module during charging as well as be monitored. Connecting directly to the negative battery post charges the battery, but the current cannot be monitored by the Battery Sensor Module.

Fig. 5

If a battery is improperly charged, the Battery Sensor Learn will be required to calibrate the Battery Sensor Module. With the ignition off, let the vehicle rest for a minimum of four hours without any interruptions (opening a door, using the key fob, etc.). Verify if the battery SOC is 70 percent or greater using GDS 2 before attempting to continue with an OTA update.