Bluetooth Options For 2008 Silverado

Brewboy · April 17, 2010

I found this on another site.........

• It is critical to use the service replacement Communication Interface Module (CIM) only in the vehicle for which it was ordered.

• Failure to perform the following procedures will result in a red LED, DTC(s) being set, and limited or incomplete OnStar® services

• An OnStar® button-press to the OnStar® call center is not required to complete the procedure.

• It may take up to 24 hours for OnStar® service to become fully activated after performing the procedures.

• Perform the following procedure only once. Repeat attempts of the procedure may result in a delay of the activation process.

Connect the scan tool to the vehicle.

Connect the Techline Information System (TIS) terminal to the scan tool.

Select the CIM Communication Interface Module Set-up and perform the set-up procedure.

Select the ONSA TIS2WEB Pass-Thru OnStar® Activation (Replaced/Upgraded Units Only) option using the service programming system (SPS).

The default language for the new CIM is English. To change the language to French or Spanish, access the scan tool.

Inform the customer that it may take up to 24 hours for the OnStar® service to become fully activated.

So with this info, I will check first to see if the dealer I take the car to has a TIS Terminal in addition to a Tech II.

RayGMC · April 17, 2010

I'm not exactly sure what the tech did when I had mine done but what you posted looks like the process he followed. I can stop by there and ask him what process he followed if sharing this info with your tech doesn't work.

loach402 · April 19, 2010

Got a notice last Thursday that my VCIM has shipped again from White Auto. Should have it again mid-week and will probably install next weekend. I had to send it back to White because it needed to be configured for the OEM navigation that I added. This time I expect I'll get the green light when I connect it - but I'm growing less confident in getting it linked to my Onstar account. If I can't get Onstar to work, I think my wife has decided to just dump Onstar. When I mentioned that Onstar is costing us $150 per year (discounted Safe & Sound subscription), combined with the fact that she's been getting unwanted charity solicitation calls on the Onstar phone, she now prefers bluetooth. I don't think she knew that we have to pay to keep Onstar. I'd still prefer to keep it and I'm sure we can get rid of the solicitation calls by changing the number, but if GM/Onstar doesn't want our subscription money, I guess I won't give it to them.

Brewboy · April 20, 2010

Yes I agree the OnStar is a "Nice to Have" as apposed to the BT which is a "Must Have"

The voice command Navigation is way too cool to give up, store your addresses and then a couple voice commands and your route is voice guided.

Going to the dealer tomorrow for one last ONSA TIS2WEB programming.

Hey have you guys noticed a change in any of the DIC functionality after installing the Gen8 VCIM?......I noticed there a few different settings....Right from the beginning I used to have a choice of METRIC of ENGLISH Now it says, ENGLISH, SPANISH, FRENCH, NO CHANGE....couple other changes too.

Brewboy · April 20, 2010

Today I went to the dealer and had the OnStar ONSA TIS2WEB programming done to the VCIM that was programmed by White Automotive. I watched as the tech did it and it was interesting that he could only communicate with the VCIM when he put year in as a 2008, not 2007.

TECH2 plugged in to the OBD-II connection under the dash and the TIS2WEB application was on his laptop sitting on the drivers seat connected wirelessly to the web.

The WEB software said the TECH2 tool was not supported anymore so the tech had to switch to a different more modern programmer called a J2534 tool. Connected wirelessly to the laptop.

It took 5 minutes and it was done successfully.

It says wait up to 24 hrs so I will contact OnStar tomorrow and try and link the new VCIM to my account.

I will advise tomorrow.

Brewboy · April 21, 2010

NO JOY!

Well guys Im at a loss for what to do next because OnStar Technical Support wont link the new Gen8 VCIM to my Account.

Everything works fine with green lights, and they actually got caught because they answered my OnStar call by my name which means they have linked the VCIM to the vehicle and now it's simply an administrative decision to not allow the Gen8 VCIM hardware in my truck.

The Tech said I have the wrong hardware and it wont work in my truck model year. So I told him I had it upgraded to Gen8 and many others have as well and it works fine so just activate it and he said no.

So its 100% OnStar being obstructive in their efforts to keep Gen8 Bluetooth VCIM hardware out of 07/08 GMT900 vehicles.

I cancelled my OnStar account, if they don't want the business its fine with me. The Bluetooth, and other Gen8 OnStar features are worth the loss of OnStar,plus hands free is the law so its more important on a daily basis.

I hope they change their minds soon because when you get treated like this after spending $40K+ for a vehicle its hard to justify this level of support especially when you look around at Ford's SYNC media platform.

loach402 · April 22, 2010

NO JOY!

Well guys Im at a loss for what to do next because OnStar Technical Support wont link the new Gen8 VCIM to my Account.

Everything works fine with green lights, and they actually got caught because they answered my OnStar call by my name which means they have linked the VCIM to the vehicle and now it's simply an administrative decision to not allow the Gen8 VCIM hardware in my truck.

The Tech said I have the wrong hardware and it wont work in my truck model year. So I told him I had it upgraded to Gen8 and many others have as well and it works fine so just activate it and he said no.

So its 100% OnStar being obstructive in their efforts to keep Gen8 Bluetooth VCIM hardware out of 07/08 GMT900 vehicles.

I cancelled my OnStar account, if they don't want the business its fine with me. The Bluetooth, and other Gen8 OnStar features are worth the loss of OnStar,plus hands free is the law so its more important on a daily basis.

I hope they change their minds soon because when you get treated like this after spending $40K+ for a vehicle its hard to justify this level of support especially when you look around at Ford's SYNC media platform.

If this happens to me, I'll probably try back once or twice more over the following days to see if I can luck out and get a more cooperative Onstar rep. Then if GM still doesn't want my money, I'll cancel the service.

I don't understand what other Gen8 Onstar features you think you'll be getting if you have canceled the service?

My VCIM just arrived yesterday from White Auto and I'll probably try to install it again this weekend.

Brewboy · April 22, 2010

NO JOY!

Well guys Im at a loss for what to do next because OnStar Technical Support wont link the new Gen8 VCIM to my Account.

Everything works fine with green lights, and they actually got caught because they answered my OnStar call by my name which means they have linked the VCIM to the vehicle and now it's simply an administrative decision to not allow the Gen8 VCIM hardware in my truck.

The Tech said I have the wrong hardware and it wont work in my truck model year. So I told him I had it upgraded to Gen8 and many others have as well and it works fine so just activate it and he said no.

So its 100% OnStar being obstructive in their efforts to keep Gen8 Bluetooth VCIM hardware out of 07/08 GMT900 vehicles.

I cancelled my OnStar account, if they don't want the business its fine with me. The Bluetooth, and other Gen8 OnStar features are worth the loss of OnStar,plus hands free is the law so its more important on a daily basis.

I hope they change their minds soon because when you get treated like this after spending $40K+ for a vehicle its hard to justify this level of support especially when you look around at Ford's SYNC media platform.

If this happens to me, I'll probably try back once or twice more over the following days to see if I can luck out and get a more cooperative Onstar rep. Then if GM still doesn't want my money, I'll cancel the service.

I don't understand what other Gen8 Onstar features you think you'll be getting if you have canceled the service?

My VCIM just arrived yesterday from White Auto and I'll probably try to install it again this weekend.

So far the feature I like the most is the voice activated Navigation....you store Navigation points "Nametags" and then using voice only you can activate the navigation.....my 2007 didn't have this.

The voice activated Bluetooth search of my iphone contacts is also very nice which I didn't have before either.

I hope you have better luck then me with OnStar.

X-man · April 23, 2010

NO JOY!

Well guys Im at a loss for what to do next because OnStar Technical Support wont link the new Gen8 VCIM to my Account.

Everything works fine with green lights, and they actually got caught because they answered my OnStar call by my name which means they have linked the VCIM to the vehicle and now it's simply an administrative decision to not allow the Gen8 VCIM hardware in my truck.

The Tech said I have the wrong hardware and it wont work in my truck model year. So I told him I had it upgraded to Gen8 and many others have as well and it works fine so just activate it and he said no.

So its 100% OnStar being obstructive in their efforts to keep Gen8 Bluetooth VCIM hardware out of 07/08 GMT900 vehicles.

I cancelled my OnStar account, if they don't want the business its fine with me. The Bluetooth, and other Gen8 OnStar features are worth the loss of OnStar,plus hands free is the law so its more important on a daily basis.

I hope they change their minds soon because when you get treated like this after spending $40K+ for a vehicle its hard to justify this level of support especially when you look around at Ford's SYNC media platform.

If this happens to me, I'll probably try back once or twice more over the following days to see if I can luck out and get a more cooperative Onstar rep. Then if GM still doesn't want my money, I'll cancel the service.

I don't understand what other Gen8 Onstar features you think you'll be getting if you have canceled the service?

My VCIM just arrived yesterday from White Auto and I'll probably try to install it again this weekend.

So far the feature I like the most is the voice activated Navigation....you store Navigation points "Nametags" and then using voice only you can activate the navigation.....my 2007 didn't have this.

The voice activated Bluetooth search of my iphone contacts is also very nice which I didn't have before either.

I hope you have better luck then me with OnStar.

Thanks again for sharing your Onstar saga with us. Let's hope that Onstar has a change of heart at some point.

I have an 08 Denali and I don't think I have voice navigation, is this a feature that is added with the new VCIM? If so, can you tell me where to find the the operating instructions fo it?

If I don't want to have Onstar when I install my Bluetooth VCIM, is there any benefit to having Chris White program it?

Brewboy · April 23, 2010

NO JOY!

Well guys Im at a loss for what to do next because OnStar Technical Support wont link the new Gen8 VCIM to my Account.

Everything works fine with green lights, and they actually got caught because they answered my OnStar call by my name which means they have linked the VCIM to the vehicle and now it's simply an administrative decision to not allow the Gen8 VCIM hardware in my truck.

The Tech said I have the wrong hardware and it wont work in my truck model year. So I told him I had it upgraded to Gen8 and many others have as well and it works fine so just activate it and he said no.

So its 100% OnStar being obstructive in their efforts to keep Gen8 Bluetooth VCIM hardware out of 07/08 GMT900 vehicles.

I cancelled my OnStar account, if they don't want the business its fine with me. The Bluetooth, and other Gen8 OnStar features are worth the loss of OnStar,plus hands free is the law so its more important on a daily basis.

I hope they change their minds soon because when you get treated like this after spending $40K+ for a vehicle its hard to justify this level of support especially when you look around at Ford's SYNC media platform.

If this happens to me, I'll probably try back once or twice more over the following days to see if I can luck out and get a more cooperative Onstar rep. Then if GM still doesn't want my money, I'll cancel the service.

I don't understand what other Gen8 Onstar features you think you'll be getting if you have canceled the service?

My VCIM just arrived yesterday from White Auto and I'll probably try to install it again this weekend.

So far the feature I like the most is the voice activated Navigation....you store Navigation points "Nametags" and then using voice only you can activate the navigation.....my 2007 didn't have this.

The voice activated Bluetooth search of my iphone contacts is also very nice which I didn't have before either.

I hope you have better luck then me with OnStar.

Thanks again for sharing your Onstar saga with us. Let's hope that Onstar has a change of heart at some point.

I have an 08 Denali and I don't think I have voice navigation, is this a feature that is added with the new VCIM? If so, can you tell me where to find the the operating instructions fo it?

If I don't want to have Onstar when I install my Bluetooth VCIM, is there any benefit to having Chris White program it?

I have to be fair to Chris, he did his part and the box works as he said it would,I have a green LED. OnStar sees the new box as programmed to my VIN and all buttons work. They just wont link the box to my account and activate the features.

Whats funny is if I needed OnStar in an Emergency I can still call them because they answer everytime...

I think its worth programming the module but its everyones individual choice.

What we need is a source inside OnStar.....somebody has to know somebody who can help us out....come on somebody please.....

I just want somebody to explain to me why they want to drop all these customers over a Gen8 hardware upgrade...its not an issue with Verizon because they stopped that relationship and no longer offer the shared minutes.

X-man · April 23, 2010

How about the voice navigation, is that a function added with the new VCIM?

Brewboy · April 23, 2010

How about the voice navigation, is that a function added with the new VCIM?

I thought it was part of the Gen8 VCIM upgrade because I never had it before.

Just do a Google search for the Generation8 OnStar User manual and you will find it, thats what I did and then downloaded a PDF version.

loach402 · April 23, 2010

NO JOY!

Well guys Im at a loss for what to do next because OnStar Technical Support wont link the new Gen8 VCIM to my Account.

Everything works fine with green lights, and they actually got caught because they answered my OnStar call by my name which means they have linked the VCIM to the vehicle and now it's simply an administrative decision to not allow the Gen8 VCIM hardware in my truck.

The Tech said I have the wrong hardware and it wont work in my truck model year. So I told him I had it upgraded to Gen8 and many others have as well and it works fine so just activate it and he said no.

So its 100% OnStar being obstructive in their efforts to keep Gen8 Bluetooth VCIM hardware out of 07/08 GMT900 vehicles.

I cancelled my OnStar account, if they don't want the business its fine with me. The Bluetooth, and other Gen8 OnStar features are worth the loss of OnStar,plus hands free is the law so its more important on a daily basis.

I hope they change their minds soon because when you get treated like this after spending $40K+ for a vehicle its hard to justify this level of support especially when you look around at Ford's SYNC media platform.

If they are answering your calls by your name when you press the blue button, doesn't that pretty much imply that they HAVE linked the new box to your account? Otherwise, how would they know who's calling? Just because the Onstar rep is feeding you bull about how the Gen8 box won't work with your truck doesn't necessarily mean they haven't tied it to your account.

Brewboy · April 23, 2010

NO JOY!

Well guys Im at a loss for what to do next because OnStar Technical Support wont link the new Gen8 VCIM to my Account.

Everything works fine with green lights, and they actually got caught because they answered my OnStar call by my name which means they have linked the VCIM to the vehicle and now it's simply an administrative decision to not allow the Gen8 VCIM hardware in my truck.

The Tech said I have the wrong hardware and it wont work in my truck model year. So I told him I had it upgraded to Gen8 and many others have as well and it works fine so just activate it and he said no.

So its 100% OnStar being obstructive in their efforts to keep Gen8 Bluetooth VCIM hardware out of 07/08 GMT900 vehicles.

I cancelled my OnStar account, if they don't want the business its fine with me. The Bluetooth, and other Gen8 OnStar features are worth the loss of OnStar,plus hands free is the law so its more important on a daily basis.

I hope they change their minds soon because when you get treated like this after spending $40K+ for a vehicle its hard to justify this level of support especially when you look around at Ford's SYNC media platform.

If they are answering your calls by your name when you press the blue button, doesn't that pretty much imply that they HAVE linked the new box to your account? Otherwise, how would they know who's calling? Just because the Onstar rep is feeding you bull about how the Gen8 box won't work with your truck doesn't necessarily mean they haven't tied it to your account.

yes I would agree so it proves again it is nothing technical stopping them it's a policy or basic unwillingness