Bluetooth Options For 2008 Silverado

[Intercooler]

Update: Installed the new OnStar 20783877 today. Had to muscle the old one out of there, but I got it. The new one is installed and works awesome. Created a few name tags. It works fantastic. Made a call and the receiver asked if I was on the phone. Meaning the clarity was excellent. I will get a better test tomorrow when I’m actually going down the highway. I was in my driveway for today’s test.

 

With the old OnStar not having service, I had no light. This new unit I picked up on ebay is new so I’ve got a red light. But again the Bluetooth is working fine. I have navigation so I think that’s why I have to say OnStar before I store a name tag or make a call. I believe I first have to tell the system if I’m accessing the Onstar functions, nav or radio. As those with nav know, you can instruct the nav system via voice. And something I just learned last week (after having the truck for a year and a half) is you can instruct the radio to change stations. Hence, the reason I believe in my case I always have to start with saying OnStar when accessing the phone via Bluetooth. Only had to say Bluetooth the one time I paired the phone.

 

That’s my two cents on the install. Thanks to those who did the research to obtain the part numbers and the printable Bluetooth instructions.

[Brewboy]

Update: Installed the new OnStar 20783877 today. Had to muscle the old one out of there, but I got it. The new one is installed and works awesome. Created a few name tags. It works fantastic. Made a call and the receiver asked if I was on the phone. Meaning the clarity was excellent. I will get a better test tomorrow when I’m actually going down the highway. I was in my driveway for today’s test.

 

With the old OnStar not having service, I had no light. This new unit I picked up on ebay is new so I’ve got a red light. But again the Bluetooth is working fine. I have navigation so I think that’s why I have to say OnStar before I store a name tag or make a call. I believe I first have to tell the system if I’m accessing the Onstar functions, nav or radio. As those with nav know, you can instruct the nav system via voice. And something I just learned last week (after having the truck for a year and a half) is you can instruct the radio to change stations. Hence, the reason I believe in my case I always have to start with saying OnStar when accessing the phone via Bluetooth. Only had to say Bluetooth the one time I paired the phone.

 

That’s my two cents on the install. Thanks to those who did the research to obtain the part numbers and the printable Bluetooth instructions.

 

Yes getting it out is sometimes hard, I broke the passenger side bracket clip on top of the VCIM .

 

If you got the red light thats a good sign if you want OnStar at a later date......OnStar reprograms their module over the air to turn it green. Its only if you got no light then theres a problem.....good job....I bought mine from same guy and I want OnStar so Im happy now to hear you had success.

[unloadit]

I just installed mine yesterday and it works great!! I love this thing.

 

People on the other end say that they can hear me clear.......but they say it sounds like I am in a cave. I will have to try it from the other end and see......but as long as they can hear me and it's clear, that works for me. It sounds fantastic on my end. I love how I will be driving down the road listening to loud music then all of a sudden the stereo mutes and it says "call from douche bag" (that's the name I gave my buddy) and I can then just hit one button on my steering wheel and it answers the phone. It also shows the phone number on the caller ID in the dash. I am getting the red light.....but I am going to call Onstar today and see if they can fix it over the air. It is a brand new unit from GM and has never been in a rig before.

 

I will say that it was kind of a bitch to wrestle the old module out of the dash. The hard part is holding the clips out of the way while lifting it out. Not a lot of room in there to work. You have to use a couple of long skinny screw drivers to pry them out of the way.....then finagle it out of there. You damn near need to be a surgeon to pull it off........but it is doable. I would recommend disconnecting the head unit (I have nav) and just sitting it completely out of the way......otherwise it gives you even less room to work. The whole process probably took me about an hour......with some frustration and cuss words thrown in there. But.....it was all worth it. I love it.

 

I will post the update on how it goes with getting the Onstar up and running.

[galaxy1000]

I see a few of you have looked at the Galaxy 1000, below is a review from a Cadillac forum, the link will follow. You can buy yours at http://www.galaxy1000.com

Bluetooth Solution - Galaxy1000 Review

 

JimmyH suggested I post my review of the Galaxy1000 in a seperate thread for better exposure.

 

http://www.galaxy1000.com

 

I FINALLY was able to get time to get the Galaxy1000 installed last weekend and have used it all week and can give a good report/review of it's function and operation.

 

INSTALL :

 

Install was VERY easy. The OnStar module is located on the passenger side of the trunk. To access you just need to remove 6 screw down fasteners that hold down the trim peice that is on the rear most part of the trunk and side trunk liner. After that, you can pull away the trunk line on the passenger to access the OnStar module and wiring. To install the Galaxy 1000, you unplug the only two connectors that go into the OnStar unit ( both are white AND are different shaped/keyed so NO WAY to get them confused/connected wrong) and plug them into the Galaxy1000 unit.

 

Mounting the unit is going to be an owner by owner decision. For me, I found that I could "wedge" the Galaxy 1000 between the trunk floor and the OnStar unit/wiring very solidly. I placed a peice of adhesive on the top/bottom of the Galaxy1000 where it would contact the trunk floor and OnStar unit. After 1 week, I last night checked on the unit. Still solidly in place. No rattles or otherwise were heard at all during normal operation so I am happy with this solution. Others may choose use the mounting tabs formed into body of the Galaxy 1000 case (3) or otherwise.

 

SETUP :

 

This was an absolute breeze and the Galaxy comes with excellent included instructions as well as being available to print from their website.. Hold down the OnStar key for 5-10 second to put unit into paring mode. Go into your cell phone and find the unit labeled "ARGUS GALAXY" and connect. Password is "1234". Done and Done.

 

OPERATION :

 

I am an IT consultant/technician and am in/out of my car all day. Galaxy 1000 powers up/connects when I start the car, turns off/disconnects when i shut off the car. Have had ZERO issues this week and I talk a good 500 mins or so in the car on average per week. I had a Motorola T305 ( VERY nice external solution) and find that the Galaxy outperforms it in all aspects. I REALLY enjoy how it lowers the music volume when a call comes in (sometimes I crank out my Alice in Chains a bit loud ) and turns off the music when a call is accepted. Had to do this manually with my Motorola external unit. Same goes for turning the Motorola unit on/off when I got in/out of the car. Alot of times I stay within range of the bluetooth and when I would pick up a call onsite, it would transfer to my phone and I'd have to change over before talking to the client. PITA at times. The integrated OnStar microphone seems to be excellent. My car has a Corsa exhaust and not one person has complained or mentioned any increase/decrease from my previous setup. Most people say I sound better when comparing it to my Motorola unit.

 

At this time, I have not a solitary negative thing to say about the Galaxy 1000. I wish it was cheaper (isn't that true of every modification) but for me, it's was 249.00 WELL SPENT. Would not hesitate to buy it again. I will be ordering another unit for my wife's Tahoe.

 

Here's the link; http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/2004-...000-review.html

 

What is the Galaxy 1000?

 

We'd like to introduce you and your GM vehicle to the Galaxy1000. The Galaxy1000 is a revolutionary Bluetooth device that pairs your GM Onstar system to your Bluetooth equipped cell phone. Sound too technical for you? The beauty of this Bluetooth interface is that is as simple as plugging in any electronic device, and can actually be installed in less than 3 minutes. Detailed installation instructions can be found here on our website, if you have further questions please feel free to contact us. We are happy to oblige.

 

 

This handsfree car kit also is making its debut simultaneously with the legislation of many states dictating that if you drive and must communicate, you must be doing so via the use of a properly equipped cell phone that provides handsfree dialing. The Galaxy1000 allows you to make and receive phone calls, handsfree, and also has the capabilities of so much more! Other functions include calendar notifications, reminders and even will alert you to a low battery warning. Our product page gives you all the great functions that come with the purchase of the Galaxy1000.

 

 

After the initial purchase of the Galaxy1000, there are no additional costs associated with this bluetooth device. The only costs are those pertaining to your individual cell phone plan.

 

 

To sum it up, if you own a GM vehicle, equipped with GM Onstar and are in the market for a low cost, no maintenance, easy to install handsfree car kit due to the new laws of your state or for the ease of use, the Galaxy1000 is the bluetooth device for you.

[roccos_van]

Can't wait for mine to show up this is an incredible stroke of luck, I had given up on ever finding one before I sold my '07 for a newer one with factory bluetooth.

[unloadit]

Galaxy 1000 sounds okay and all......but I would rather go OEM.

[unloadit]

If you got the red light thats a good sign if you want OnStar at a later date......OnStar reprograms their module over the air to turn it green. Its only if you got no light then theres a problem.....good job....I bought mine from same guy and I want OnStar so Im happy now to hear you had success.

 

 

 

 

 

Not true. You have to take it to the dealer to have the Onstar re-programed.

[unloadit]

Onstar Update:

 

Okay......my module is brand new, right from GM, never been installed in any vehicle. After my install, the Bluetooth works flawlessly. I love it. But, the Onstar light on the right hand side of the mirror is a solid red. I can't even call Onstar by hitting the blue Onstar button on the mirror. I have to punch the red emergency button, then when they answer ask them for tech support.

 

If you tell them you have a red light.....they won't even attempt to re-activate your Onstar. They will tell you that you have a hardware problem, and it needs to go to the dealership. I even lied to them and told them that it was green, and I need to have it re-activated. They tried it, and it didn't work. Then they told me I had to take it to the dealership to have them do it. I called back 3 separate times, and talked to 3 different people. It failed all 3 times, and they all told me I had to take it to the dealership because it has to be re-programed at the dealership.

 

So now I have an appointment set up for Wednesday afternoon at the dealer. I just hope that once I get it there they can get it going. I have this fear that they are going to tell me that my 07 won't work with that new Bluetooth module or something. When I talked to the guy in the service department, he acted like he had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. We will see what happens. I will update then.

 

Anybody else take theirs in to the dealer yet to have the Onstar re-activated? I know many of you don't care for Onstar and don't want it......but I am one of the guys that actually likes it and wants to have it working.

[Intercooler]

I was on the highway today and received a call. Perfectly clear both ways. Quiet, no truck or background noise is transmitted through the call. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get my hands on one either and I had some struggling getting the old one out. But, it was all worth it. I’d say it was about an hour as well.

 

As for the galaxy 1000. I did look at the website. Didn’t list one for my truck. However, I do prefer OEM and got lucky, checking ebay at the right time.

[Royal Vader]

I want to keep On* too. I've been holding off buying a '09 VCIM until someone figures out how to get On* working again.

 

BTW, the Galaxy 1000 replaces your On* VCIM, so you no longer have the capability of On*. That counts it out for me.

 

I prefer an OEM solution too.

[unloadit]

I didn't know the G-1000 nixed the Onstar. Yea....I would never buy that.

[msinawsk]

any updates on getting the dealer to reprogram for onstar functions?

[unloadit]

As I said in my post above, I have an appointment on Wednesday to get it done. Someone else is getting it done tomorrow morning and is supposed to report the results.

[Royal Vader]

[unloadit]

Well I took mine to the dealer today with no luck. He couldn't get the red light to go away, or the Onstar to work. Looks like I am going to have to ship mine to Chris White and see if he can get it to work. They charged me $76 for their time. Money down the tube. Damn.