Need some HELP

82ChevyScottsdale · March 22, 2004

Hey everybody, been reading posts here for about the last two months and decided to join. First time I ever joined a message group. Anyway here is my dilemma, I am going to be ordering a 2005 Chevy 2500HD in the LT trim, Diesel/Allison combo, snow plow prep package, the works per say. Anyhow I HATE ONSTAR and really don't want it on my truck. I talked to the local dealer the other day about ordering my truck and he said he had never had anybody want the LT trim without Onstar. He proceed to check the GM computer and said that there was no option to delete Onstar in ordering the truck. I know I could just get the regular LT and pull the fuse, thus killing Onstar and I could then remove the antenna and patch the small hole for the wiring. I could do that no problem, BUT if I am gonna pay around $40G's for a TRUCK, I am d**n sure gonna get what I want. So finally the question I need help on, is it possible to get a 2500HD in the LT trim package without Onstar from the factory? If so someone please help me.

Thanks guys,

PS

The reason I don't want Onstar is not because I am worried about "Big Brother" knowing what I am doing, I have it on my 2001 Tahoe and I never use it. I don't want to buy something I am not gonna use, I read some posts that said GM can call and download infomation from your truck, and I am not real cool with that. Plus work is gonna buy me a portable GPS that talks to ya so I really don't NEED it. So thanks again, sorry the post is so long.

tmf6902 · March 22, 2004

I don't know for sure, but I don't think it's as easy as pulling the fuse, aren't there other things on that circuit?? And don't worry, Big Brother is a fine reason to not want it. I don't have it it my truck, and I can see where it would be useful if someone stole it, I locked my keys in, or I got in an accident, but I don't need anyone knowing where the hell I'm going, and how fast I'm going there.

When I ordered my truck though, I know there was no way to get the top package with out onstar, they may have changed it though

HendyPhoto · March 22, 2004

Arent there 2 pieces to the onstar? The antenna for cell phone type connection and the little square window mount thing on the inside stuck to the top of the windshield for satellite transmission? I think you can just unscrew the cable to the square window mount and cut the wire going to the antenna. Maybe it's not that easy, but thats what I thought about doing. I hate having something on my 44K truck I have to pay extra for and is unusable to me, and onstar selling my driving stats at my expense. It's invasion of our privacy. ONSTAR IS B.S. and I will never pay for the service.

HendyPhoto · March 22, 2004

Here is a little info I found to disable onstar.....

Recommended Precautions.
The OnStar system by GM periodically communicates with the vehicle. This periodic communication

with the vehicle has been known to disrupt the programming process. In order to prevent disruption

of the programming process, it is recommended that the OnStar system be disabled while programming

the vehicle. To temporarily disable your OnStar system in 4.8/5.3/6.0/8.1L GM vehicles, remove the

fuse(s) associated with OnStar. Please refer to the fuse section of your owner’s manual for instructions

and locations of fuse(s). The fuse panel will be under the hood of the vehicle on the driver’s side

behind the battery. In most cases there will be one (1) fuse in that fuse panel the OnStar system relies

on. See Figure A for an example. For 4.3L GM SUVs, follow the steps below to temporarily disable the

OnStar system.

When the OnStar system is successfully disabled, its indicator light on the dash or rearview

mirror will be OFF. Be sure that this light is off when the key is in the ON position (engine not running)

BEFORE programming the vehicle. This will ensure that there are no OnStar related problems.

This is talking about disabling the onstar while programming with the power programmer II, but that doesnt matter. Just disable it and leave it disabled. Then maybe if you miss a payment on your truck they wont be able to find it to repo it!!!!!

There is alot more info on that page, here is the link... Onstar Disable

It looks like you can disconnect the cable to the onstar computer, if you can locate the onstar computer in your particular vehicle.

Machine · March 22, 2004

You can't delete onstar when ordering your truck. It's a built-in feature on the premium LT package. Pull the fuse.

The FBI recently lost a lawsuit filed by Onstar becuase the feds were listening in on conversations. Onstar won the lawsuit because their arguement was that if an airbag deployed in a vehicle that the feds were listening in on then Onstar could not transmit or receive the alert.

The one time I used Onstar they put me on hold for 3 minutes. Go figure.

c5vetteman · March 22, 2004

I just bought my truck last month and I told the salesman I didn't want it activated. In fact I didn't even bother putting the Onstar antenna on top of the vehicle.

Machine · March 22, 2004

I believe that even if you don't activate Onstar it can still be used. The activation just sets the account info to you. The VIN and unique Onstar code still exists and can be matched to your tag #. Best bet is to pull a fuse and decommission it.

c5vetteman · March 22, 2004

I believe that even if you don't activate Onstar it can still be used. The activation just sets the account info to you. The VIN and unique Onstar code still exists and can be matched to your tag #. Best bet is to pull a fuse and decommission it.

I'll go ahead and pull the fuse. I printed out the link from HendyPhoto.

I'll have a collection of spare fuses. First I pulled the DRL fuse and now the Onstar fuse!

Wingnut · March 23, 2004

I believe that even if you don't activate Onstar it can still be used. The activation just sets the account info to you. The VIN and unique Onstar code still exists and can be matched to your tag #. Best bet is to pull a fuse and decommission it.

I have a friend in Denver that didn't renew his OnStar subscription after the first year (it's free).

His wife locked their baby (less than 1 year) inside....How, I have no idea....and was getting ready to break a window. Had an idea, and called OnStar since their number was still in her cell.

Long story short, is even a year after their subscription to OnStar had expired....The still popped that truck open for her.

So, I would say it's active as long as it has power. Regardless of whether or not you pay for it. Obviously, you can't call them and ask where the nearest jet fuel filling station is, but they can still access your rig.

GMCTech · March 23, 2004

The only way to truly deactivate your OnStar (without affecting other systems on the same circuit) is to remove the antenna/receiver unit. On most new styles, the unit is under the upper instrument panel cover. ( The top of the dashboard)

Sounds like a PITA to get to, but it's really only 10 minutes of work or so to remove that cover.

And you don't have to really remove it, just unplug the antenna wire and the wiring harness.