Bluetooth Options For 2008 Silverado

lesko200 · April 12, 2010

I've been following this thread for a while and want to thank everyone who has contributed for the excellent info. I haven't been able to locate a VCIM #20783877 anywhere. If anyone out there has a connection as to where I can purchase one, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

Yes it would be nice to be able to buy a VCIM to get our GMT900 trucks to have a basic feature like Bluetooth.

Frankly, I still find it amazing that after all the problems GM has had and after all the complaints of poor customer service and Management arrogance they continue to restrict their customers ability to upgrade a basic feature.

Just last week my friends 09 Silverado with OEM Bluetooth had an issue with the OnStar so he called OnStar and they directed him to a dealership. The dealer called him and stated he must bring the truck in for inspection, by ONLY the dayshift manager, who works specific days, and hours, and only then after his inspection would they consider ordering a new 09 VCIM.

Unbelievable arrogance!

Hey GM, the other big three automaker, Ford, ya you know the only one making money right now......they treat their customers who ask for a new hands free feature like this......

Customers with older vehicles who wanted their hands free SYNC system to store their cell-phone books. Ford listened and now the customer goes to the SYNC website and downloads update to a thumb drive and uploads to their vehicle..

WOW what a company....taking care of their customers without restricting parts, or even charging for hardware.

Google Ford SYNC HMI and see how far advanced they are.

Good bye GMC Denali.....hello 2011 Explorer

Just to clarify your point "Google Ford SYNC HMI and see how far advanced they are." SYNC is actually Microsoft technology and I agree is far ahead of all other car companies.

B777 · April 12, 2010

Greetings,

I would also like to thank you folks who are trailblazing the VCIM upgrade and I appreciate the information shared on this site. Watching this thread is educational and I share the utter frustration with GM over not being able to upgrade my 2008 Tahoe. GM is driving enthusiastic customers away instead of leveraging them to improve and market GM products. I guess this is what we get for our tax dollars and can only hope they see the light…

I rented a Ford last month and tested the SYNC HMI with my Blackberry. I was impressed as it easily downloaded my phonebook and functioned well, providing good sound quality even while driving on a very bumpy freeway. I like where Allan Mullally is taking Ford and will certainly consider them next time I make a purchase.

Cheers,

Richard

Brewboy · April 12, 2010

I've been following this thread for a while and want to thank everyone who has contributed for the excellent info. I haven't been able to locate a VCIM #20783877 anywhere. If anyone out there has a connection as to where I can purchase one, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

Yes it would be nice to be able to buy a VCIM to get our GMT900 trucks to have a basic feature like Bluetooth.

Frankly, I still find it amazing that after all the problems GM has had and after all the complaints of poor customer service and Management arrogance they continue to restrict their customers ability to upgrade a basic feature.

Just last week my friends 09 Silverado with OEM Bluetooth had an issue with the OnStar so he called OnStar and they directed him to a dealership. The dealer called him and stated he must bring the truck in for inspection, by ONLY the dayshift manager, who works specific days, and hours, and only then after his inspection would they consider ordering a new 09 VCIM.

Unbelievable arrogance!

Hey GM, the other big three automaker, Ford, ya you know the only one making money right now......they treat their customers who ask for a new hands free feature like this......

Customers with older vehicles who wanted their hands free SYNC system to store their cell-phone books. Ford listened and now the customer goes to the SYNC website and downloads update to a thumb drive and uploads to their vehicle..

WOW what a company....taking care of their customers without restricting parts, or even charging for hardware.

Google Ford SYNC HMI and see how far advanced they are.

Good bye GMC Denali.....hello 2011 Explorer

Just to clarify your point "Google Ford SYNC HMI and see how far advanced they are." SYNC is actually Microsoft technology and I agree is far ahead of all other car companies.

Yes your right, Microsoft did design the SYNC platform, but Fords own engineers are developing the new features and apps that SYNC is releasing all the time.

Either way there is nothing in the automotive world right now that even comes close to SYNC. Im sure many are trying to copy it right now.

I just find it amazing how hard it is to add a basic safety feature like BT to our GM trucks while Ford is going in the opposite direction and providing more and more features off the basic SYNC system.

loach402 · April 12, 2010

So the saga continues......

Like I said previously White Auto did the programming and everything they did works fine, immediate green OnStar light... and to be fair to Chris he did say it may take a couple tries getting the GMT900 set up right so he has been clear from the beginning and has been helpful.

Tried 2X with OnStar tech support and they say they are seeing my Station ID # but are not seeing the ESN# so they cannot load the software and swap my account over, so they have directed me to the dealership.

The problem is the new VCIM has NO ESN on the white sticker with all the numbers. The old VCIM that came with the 07 GMT900 does have an ESN on the white sticker.

Perhaps they need the ME ID#?

IMO I think White Auto has done their part correctly and OnStar is playing games here, they see its a 2007 GMT900 by the VIN, they see its a Generation 8 OnStar module and they don't update the correct software for Gen 8, they try 07 OnStar software.

So the next plan is to hit the dealership, connect the Tech2 tool and call OnStar with tool connected.

Funny though all the buttons work, the OnStar phone works it just says you have no minutes, which is right if you have a new VCIM. The blue and red OnStar buttons work too.

OnStar just doesn't want to swap the account so if this doesn't work Im dumping the OnStar account as all the functionality works in an emergency anyways.

I would agree that if you have a green Onstar light, that means White Auto has done their part correctly. Interesting about the lack of ESN. I could swear mine had an ESN number - I wrote down all the ST ID, etc. numbers off my VCIM and took a picture of the VCIM label for good measure - I'll have to check and see if mine had one when I get home. Still waiting for it to be returned by White Auto from my 2nd attempt at reprogramming.

As for Onstar still working in an emergency without a subscription, I found this posted on another forum - no way to authenticate the claim but thought I'd share:

"This is not true. I work for OnStar, when the subscription ends, the system is deactivated soon afterwards, and the physical ability for OnStar to receive the airbag notification from the vehicle is disabled. I cannot explain for certain the circumstances under which the person on the other forum site had their call go through, but please do not gamble on your, or your family's, safety upon a lapsed OnStar subscription to still maintain emergency services."

Brewboy · April 12, 2010

So the saga continues......

Like I said previously White Auto did the programming and everything they did works fine, immediate green OnStar light... and to be fair to Chris he did say it may take a couple tries getting the GMT900 set up right so he has been clear from the beginning and has been helpful.

Tried 2X with OnStar tech support and they say they are seeing my Station ID # but are not seeing the ESN# so they cannot load the software and swap my account over, so they have directed me to the dealership.

The problem is the new VCIM has NO ESN on the white sticker with all the numbers. The old VCIM that came with the 07 GMT900 does have an ESN on the white sticker.

Perhaps they need the ME ID#?

IMO I think White Auto has done their part correctly and OnStar is playing games here, they see its a 2007 GMT900 by the VIN, they see its a Generation 8 OnStar module and they don't update the correct software for Gen 8, they try 07 OnStar software.

So the next plan is to hit the dealership, connect the Tech2 tool and call OnStar with tool connected.

Funny though all the buttons work, the OnStar phone works it just says you have no minutes, which is right if you have a new VCIM. The blue and red OnStar buttons work too.

OnStar just doesn't want to swap the account so if this doesn't work Im dumping the OnStar account as all the functionality works in an emergency anyways.

I would agree that if you have a green Onstar light, that means White Auto has done their part correctly. Interesting about the lack of ESN. I could swear mine had an ESN number - I wrote down all the ST ID, etc. numbers off my VCIM and took a picture of the VCIM label for good measure - I'll have to check and see if mine had one when I get home. Still waiting for it to be returned by White Auto from my 2nd attempt at reprogramming.

As for Onstar still working in an emergency without a subscription, I found this posted on another forum - no way to authenticate the claim but thought I'd share:

"This is not true. I work for OnStar, when the subscription ends, the system is deactivated soon afterwards, and the physical ability for OnStar to receive the airbag notification from the vehicle is disabled. I cannot explain for certain the circumstances under which the person on the other forum site had their call go through, but please do not gamble on your, or your family's, safety upon a lapsed OnStar subscription to still maintain emergency services."

Thats probably true but I find it interesting that all my 3 (HF Calling, Blue, Red) OnStar buttons work yet they dont see an ESN......the ESN is clearly printed on the old original VCIM that I removed from 2007 vehicle and no where on the new Generation 8 VCIM is there a ESN......could the ESN be one of the other numbers perhaps?

Im off to the dealer this week to see if I can find the ESN....I will report back if anything changes

X-man · April 13, 2010

So the saga continues......

Like I said previously White Auto did the programming and everything they did works fine, immediate green OnStar light... and to be fair to Chris he did say it may take a couple tries getting the GMT900 set up right so he has been clear from the beginning and has been helpful.

Tried 2X with OnStar tech support and they say they are seeing my Station ID # but are not seeing the ESN# so they cannot load the software and swap my account over, so they have directed me to the dealership.

The problem is the new VCIM has NO ESN on the white sticker with all the numbers. The old VCIM that came with the 07 GMT900 does have an ESN on the white sticker.

Perhaps they need the ME ID#?

IMO I think White Auto has done their part correctly and OnStar is playing games here, they see its a 2007 GMT900 by the VIN, they see its a Generation 8 OnStar module and they don't update the correct software for Gen 8, they try 07 OnStar software.

So the next plan is to hit the dealership, connect the Tech2 tool and call OnStar with tool connected.

Funny though all the buttons work, the OnStar phone works it just says you have no minutes, which is right if you have a new VCIM. The blue and red OnStar buttons work too.

OnStar just doesn't want to swap the account so if this doesn't work Im dumping the OnStar account as all the functionality works in an emergency anyways.

I would agree that if you have a green Onstar light, that means White Auto has done their part correctly. Interesting about the lack of ESN. I could swear mine had an ESN number - I wrote down all the ST ID, etc. numbers off my VCIM and took a picture of the VCIM label for good measure - I'll have to check and see if mine had one when I get home. Still waiting for it to be returned by White Auto from my 2nd attempt at reprogramming.

As for Onstar still working in an emergency without a subscription, I found this posted on another forum - no way to authenticate the claim but thought I'd share:

"This is not true. I work for OnStar, when the subscription ends, the system is deactivated soon afterwards, and the physical ability for OnStar to receive the airbag notification from the vehicle is disabled. I cannot explain for certain the circumstances under which the person on the other forum site had their call go through, but please do not gamble on your, or your family's, safety upon a lapsed OnStar subscription to still maintain emergency services."

Thats probably true but I find it interesting that all my 3 (HF Calling, Blue, Red) OnStar buttons work yet they dont see an ESN......the ESN is clearly printed on the old original VCIM that I removed from 2007 vehicle and no where on the new Generation 8 VCIM is there a ESN......could the ESN be one of the other numbers perhaps?

Im off to the dealer this week to see if I can find the ESN....I will report back if anything changes

So will the Tech 2 session overwrite the programming from White automotive?

I checked the new module I bought and it does not have an ESN either. Anyone know whay an ESN is?

It's too bad that there is nor real way to let GM know of our dissatisfaction with the lack of support for retrofitting Bluetooth.

My guess is that it's an Onstar / verizon contractual issue. But having yet another phone number just for the truck never did make sense to me.

loach402 · April 13, 2010

Thats probably true but I find it interesting that all my 3 (HF Calling, Blue, Red) OnStar buttons work yet they dont see an ESN......the ESN is clearly printed on the old original VCIM that I removed from 2007 vehicle and no where on the new Generation 8 VCIM is there a ESN......could the ESN be one of the other numbers perhaps?

Im off to the dealer this week to see if I can find the ESN....I will report back if anything changes

I checked my photograph of my VCIM last night - nothing that says "ESN". This is weird. There are probably 20 or more people on the G8 board that bought VCIMs from the same eBay seller that I got mine from, and I've been following their threads on the topic pretty closely. Many have been successful getting Onstar to link their VCIMs to their account. Some have had trouble, but none of them have reported that they couldn't get the module linked to their account due to lack of an ESN. This just keeps getting weirder.

loach402 · April 13, 2010

So will the Tech 2 session overwrite the programming from White automotive?
I checked the new module I bought and it does not have an ESN either. Anyone know whay an ESN is?

It's too bad that there is nor real way to let GM know of our dissatisfaction with the lack of support for retrofitting Bluetooth.

My guess is that it's an Onstar / verizon contractual issue. But having yet another phone number just for the truck never did make sense to me.

I think it depends on what the dealer does in the Tech 2 session. There is a routine called ONSA that just links the box to your account - if they run that only I don't think anything gets overwritten. However, if they do a full VCIM configuration it will overwrite some of White's programming (according to a post by Chris on the G8 board).

Brewboy · April 14, 2010

So the dealership was great, read the VCIM with the TECH2 and got me the STID# & ESN#

Just an FYI....when the dealer connected the TECH2 tool he couldn't communicate with the VCIM because he entered the vehicle as a 2007, which it is. As soon as he changed it to a 2008, bingo! it communicated with the new VCIM.

Called OnStar and gave them the new Station ID and ESN#s

OnStar tech support say they were successful in swapping the new VCIM to my account but when they tried to load the software the vehicle rejected it and they got an error message saying " " Bad Manufacturer Model Year Software Version"

OnStar sees my 2007 VIN so they tried to load a 2007 OnStar version into a 2009 VCIM and it failed.

So now the plan is to somehow get the OnStar techs to download 2009 OnStar Generation 8 software into my truck.

Still have green light on mirror and all the buttons still work though......

Maybe the plan is to tell them it's a 2009 and give them a 2009 VIN and get the download installed before going back and getting the year changed

Anyone have any ideas now?

REMEMBER NEVER GIVE UP!...........WE WILL WIN THIS FIGHT!

X-man · April 14, 2010

So the dealership was great, read the VCIM with the TECH2 and got me the STID# & ESN#

Just an FYI....when the dealer connected the TECH2 tool he couldn't communicate with the VCIM because he entered the vehicle as a 2007, which it is. As soon as he changed it to a 2008, bingo! it communicated with the new VCIM.

Called OnStar and gave them the new Station ID and ESN#s

OnStar tech support say they were successful in swapping the new VCIM to my account but when they tried to load the software the vehicle rejected it and they got an error message saying " " Bad Manufacturer Model Year Software Version"

OnStar sees my 2007 VIN so they tried to load a 2007 OnStar version into a 2009 VCIM and it failed.

So now the plan is to somehow get the OnStar techs to download 2009 OnStar Generation 8 software into my truck.

Still have green light on mirror and all the buttons still work though......

Maybe the plan is to tell them it's a 2009 and give them a 2009 VIN and get the download installed before going back and getting the year changed

Anyone have any ideas now?

REMEMBER NEVER GIVE UP!...........WE WILL WIN THIS FIGHT!

We definitely all owe you a big THANKS! for all the time and effort you are putting in to this, I sure hope that it pays off.

My truck's a 2008, I wonder if that makes any difference, does anyone know when was the GEN 8 Onstar first introduced?

Royal Vader · April 14, 2010

So the dealership was great, read the VCIM with the TECH2 and got me the STID# & ESN#

Just an FYI....when the dealer connected the TECH2 tool he couldn't communicate with the VCIM because he entered the vehicle as a 2007, which it is. As soon as he changed it to a 2008, bingo! it communicated with the new VCIM.

Called OnStar and gave them the new Station ID and ESN#s

OnStar tech support say they were successful in swapping the new VCIM to my account but when they tried to load the software the vehicle rejected it and they got an error message saying " " Bad Manufacturer Model Year Software Version"

OnStar sees my 2007 VIN so they tried to load a 2007 OnStar version into a 2009 VCIM and it failed.

So now the plan is to somehow get the OnStar techs to download 2009 OnStar Generation 8 software into my truck.

Still have green light on mirror and all the buttons still work though......

Maybe the plan is to tell them it's a 2009 and give them a 2009 VIN and get the download installed before going back and getting the year changed

Anyone have any ideas now?

REMEMBER NEVER GIVE UP!...........WE WILL WIN THIS FIGHT!

We definitely all owe you a big THANKS! for all the time and effort you are putting in to this, I sure hope that it pays off.

My truck's a 2008, I wonder if that makes any difference, does anyone know when was the GEN 8 Onstar first introduced?

X2 Thanks Brad!

RayGMC · April 14, 2010

Brad- Try it again 24 hours after you called OnStar. I have an 07 and they couldn't get there program to work right when I did mine either. Someone told me to try again because sometimes it takes 24-48 hours to start working. I tried it and my account information was updated.

Brewboy · April 14, 2010

Brad- Try it again 24 hours after you called OnStar. I have an 07 and they couldn't get there program to work right when I did mine either. Someone told me to try again because sometimes it takes 24-48 hours to start working. I tried it and my account information was updated.

We must have just had a mind meld because thats exactly what I was thinking......Im going to wait 48 hrs before I try, so tomorrow afternoon PST

Royal Vader · April 16, 2010

Brewboy · April 17, 2010

Brad- Try it again 24 hours after you called OnStar. I have an 07 and they couldn't get there program to work right when I did mine either. Someone told me to try again because sometimes it takes 24-48 hours to start working. I tried it and my account information was updated.

Tried again yesterday no success with OnStar.....a very good OnStar tech support team member took the time and explained that there is no 07, 08, 09 software it's simply an activation update sent to the VCIM that links the VCIM to my account. I asked if he was trying to send the 07 GMT900 Gen 7 update to a Gen8 VCIM and he says he can see the module is a Gen8c so he has the right software.

He advised that the dealer didn't complete the ONSA Web based procedure and that why he cant link the box to my account.

Also that the OnStar database will not allow the Gen8 VCIM to be associated to my 07 VIN......which is where I get confused because I know many 07 GMT900 owners have done the swap successfully.

I would suggest that indicates that they CAN but don't WANT to do the swap.

Ray did you watch the GM Tech do the ONSA procedure with the Tech 2 tool on your truck?......Apparently when I was at the dealer the Tech didn't fully complete the ONSA procedure which actually links my account to the new VCIM through the web application. Im just not sure which step we missed.

I have a willing dealer they just don't understand the topic and are as blind as me when trying to follow the ONSA procedure.

Any guidance on the correct ONSA procedure would be greatly appreciated and probably be the final step in getting everything setup.

As it stands now, all Bluetooth features work, all voice command features, Blue and Red OnStar buttons connect to OnStar but when the Operator answers at OnStar they see a new VCIM/vehicle associated to no account. Its as if Im activating the vehicle for the first time.

I still cant help but wonder why we have to do this just to get a feature like Bluetooth that is the law in almost every State and Province in Canada and the USA.