Bluetooth Options For 2008 Silverado

Brewboy · May 25, 2010

RE: NAV upgrade
But if I have an '07 with DVD and CD, when I upgrade to NAV don't I loose the ability to have a CD & DVD running at the same time?

Not if you have the rear seat entertainment package, as far as I know. Or you can use a lockpick.

Also, don't you have to have the NAV CD installed for it to operate?

Yes. There is a separate slot behind the nav screen specifically for the map disc, so you still have the main slot for audio CDs and/or DVDs.

CD's!!!!!!!!! What are you guys living in the 90's?????? LOL.....just kidding.....

CD's are a legacy media, thats what the 3.5mm stereo jack is for on the Navigation Radio,plug in any Ipod, Iphone, Itouch or whatever MP3 player you have that holds way more music then a CD and if you buy the direct wire kit with the proper Apple device interface you can control it on the Nav screen

Hey Charlie I thought even the old 07 Denso Navigation radios will display XM NavTraffic as long as you change the XM receiver behind the glovebox? No?

C. Charles Hahn · May 25, 2010

CD's!!!!!!!!! What are you guys living in the 90's?????? LOL.....just kidding.....

CD's are a legacy media, thats what the 3.5mm stereo jack is for on the Navigation Radio,plug in any Ipod, Iphone, Itouch or whatever MP3 player you have that holds way more music then a CD and if you buy the direct wire kit with the proper Apple device interface you can control it on the Nav screen

Absolutely they're a legacy media.... but what can I say, sometimes I like to revisit my "mix discs" from high school

Too much else going on to have the time to sit and rip discs into iTunes all day.

Hey Charlie I thought even the old 07 Denso Navigation radios will display XM NavTraffic as long as you change the XM receiver behind the glovebox? No?

Entirely possible, but I'm not really sure Never looked into it that far.

All I know is that it was specifically mentioned that the '09 Densos had "new XM NavTraffic capability" when I bought mine. Could have just been the seller throwing a buzz word in to generate interest. I didn't really care much about it personally. They don't have traffic coverage for my city.

VO1BMD · May 25, 2010

Just got my VCIM with BT (originally from an Acadia I think) from Hickman Motors in KY ($100USD). Removed the front dash panel as per video ( http://www.coastaletech.com/gmlockpick1.htm ) but also removed the stereo because there wasn't enough room for my big hands in the small area the VCIM is located. Cables weren't very long but I managed to get the old VCIM out and my 'new' one installed. Re-assembled everything and away we go.....

Powered up and I have a GREEN LED on my mirror! So, BT functions well, clear and easily programmed to connect to the crackberry and accepts my voice commands so-so, Newfie accent throws it for a loop sometimes but I expected that with a voice recognition. Made a couple calls, works great! Numbers displayed on the DIC and all....

Next, I ask what 'my number' is and I get a 500-791-xxxx phone number! I don't think KY has any 500 area codes do they? Anyhow, I am not too worried about this as all I wanted was the BT function and I won't be purchasing On* minutes or anything.

Anyhooooo.... I have BT and it works and I have a green LED in the mirror (for no apparent reason!) IMO, I am a winner and WON'T be calling On* to change the number/vehicle ID or anything... UNLESS I hear otherwise from this forum that it has been completed 100%

Tks all for all the info you provided and assistance in my VCIM inter-change!

Royal Vader · May 25, 2010

In your case, David, any GMT900 NAV unit will work fine. I actually did the exact same swap in my truck (6 disc to NAV) and it was no big deal. The unit I used was a 2009, but that's really immaterial to a successful swap. The 2009 units do have XM Nav-Traffic capability, but that doesn't work in an 07-08 without also swapping the XM tuner module (which I haven't done).

I'm now upgrading to a 2010 NAV with the USB, so I'll be selling the 2009 unit I have now. Keep an eye on the For Sale section, I'll be posting it within the next couple of days. First to message me/reply once I make the thread gets it for a pretty good price.

Thanks Charlie - That answered my question.

kipblackwell · May 28, 2010

Did this thread die or get moved? Anyone try to use an '09 VIN to program the VCIM yet? I got my GM guy willing to give it a try, but he is out of town. Going to have to wait until next week to give it a shot. I will let everyone know how it works. Hope this gets us another step closer.

C. Charles Hahn · May 28, 2010

Did this thread die or get moved? Anyone try to use an '09 VIN to program the VCIM yet? I got my GM guy willing to give it a try, but he is out of town. Going to have to wait until next week to give it a shot. I will let everyone know how it works. Hope this gets us another step closer.

We played with this at the dealer yesterday and encountered an error while TIS was trying to download the software; we suspect it was a problem with the dealer's internet connection though so I'm hopefully going to try again tomorrow.

One thing to note, you don't want an '09 VIN flashed into your unit -- you want the '09 or '10 software flashed into your unit as it matches up with the headunit you have (NAV or non-NAV).

Brewboy · May 28, 2010

Did this thread die or get moved? Anyone try to use an '09 VIN to program the VCIM yet? I got my GM guy willing to give it a try, but he is out of town. Going to have to wait until next week to give it a shot. I will let everyone know how it works. Hope this gets us another step closer.

We played with this at the dealer yesterday and encountered an error while TIS was trying to download the software; we suspect it was a problem with the dealer's internet connection though so I'm hopefully going to try again tomorrow.

One thing to note, you don't want an '09 VIN flashed into your unit -- you want the '09 or '10 software flashed into your unit as it matches up with the headunit you have (NAV or non-NAV).

Let me know Charlie as my Dealer is willing to try if yours works.....

GXP25 · June 5, 2010

From what I understand, changing out the VCIM/OnStar module is somewhat similar to changing out an XM module. While it can be done, VINs will not match. And even worse, OnStar themselves will not do a thing if the red LED is on.

This problem arose with Pontiac G8 owners who wanted to add Bluetooth to their 2008 vehicles. The solution to this was to purchase a newer VCIM that included Bluetooth and send it off to White Auto and Media Services. And I quote:

WAMS is proud to announce its ship in service to assist G8 owners in retrofitting Bluetooth in to their G8's. This one of a kind service allows you to send in a salvage Bluetooth module and we:
-"Re-green" the unit to make it usable in another vehicle

-Reprogram the unit using our custom setup to allow it to retrofit into a non 2009.5 G8

-Update the software to make the unit plug and play (no wires to cut)

The only item you will need to do on your end as a customer is plug the unit in and press the blue OnStar button and tell them your dealer replaced the unit. OnStar will relink the account to the newly programmed unit and since the VIN and all other info will match it will work flawlessly just as your old unit did.

PLEASE NOTE: This service is ONLY available for GM Part # 25984444 and its supersedent 20783877 these are the ONLY two modules that will work properly in a G8, we will NOT work on any other units for the G8 application.We DO NOT SUPPLY VCIM units!

This is an [expensive] option, however, from my dealings with Chris (the owner), he isn't very interested in working on things that he either does not own, is not interested in, or that he thinks "isn't worth it" to him.

On the other hand, there is another "working" solution I found over at Camaro5. And I quote again:

Subject: AT LONG LAST THE WAIT IS OVER!

Ladies and Gentlemen...

I just arrived home with my Bluetooth enabled 1SS, Dealer Installed, Warrented and completely functional!

As promised, here are the details. And fortunate for you I've already talked to the service manager and he will do almost all of the legwork for you since he has the contact info for the two people at OnStar who are the final say in shipping out your Bluetooth enabled OnStar module. Here's how it goes...

You just need to call Milton Chevrolet (aka Lou Sobh's Chevrolet) in Milton Florida. The service managers name is Jeff. The number is (850) 626-8000. Of course if you are not able to go there yourself, simply have the service manager of you chevy dealer contact him and they will do their secret handshake and pass the info they need among themselves.

What actually happened behind the scenes is this. The folks at OnStar have a list of VIN numbers which have had the Bluetooth enabled OnStar unit installed. Whenever a unit is ordered, they bounce the VIN number against their database and if it came equipped, then they'll ship one. Of course in the case of the 1SS (which does not come equipped) they will not.

The flaw in the slaw is this. A dealership parts distributor (unlike a parts store like Pep Boys) is required to send only parts for cars that came equipped with them due to a liability issue. If they send them a part thats not supposed to be installed in the car and the engine blows up, its the distributor who is liable so they say... Anyway... Now that the people at OnStar, after getting with your service manager will ADD your VIN to their database as being a car equipped with the Bluetooth OnStar module. Once that is done, your dealership can simply order it and it'll arrive within a couple of days as mine did.

I went ahead and attached a photo of my head unit paired up with my mobile phone.

I will admit the cost of the bluetooth module is about 90 dollars more than I've seen it selling for on ebay (which was about 350 dollars) and of course there's the installation fee (work took under 1 hour)....

As for some technical bits... there was no software updated needed for my car however... there was a synch that took place between the onstar module and some other module in the car which was acomplished by the dealerships equipment (which by the way is very cool... there's no more ODBII as you know, the GLOBAL "A" system being used in the 2010 Camaro gets plugged up with a wireless device and communicates with the diagnostic equipment via 802.11... Knowing that I would expect some real time wireless performance modules to hit the streets soon but thats a story for another show...) Anyway, I believe all that did was transfer my existing OnStar account stuff to the new unit automatically. In cases where people have done this upgrade by themselves they had to contact OnStar themselves to get this done. Personally I preferred the dealership doing it as I did hear some horror stories about the police being automatically called when someone put a crashed Bluetooth unit into their car and not registering it properly...

Moral of the story is, give Milton Chevy's service manager a call or have your dealerships service manager call. Jeff already walked down the road with me and knows exactly what needs to be done to get you your dealer installed Bluetooth module. The wait is over.

Craig

YMMV

EDIT: Added Camaro5 link.

C. Charles Hahn · June 6, 2010

On the other hand, there is another "working" solution I found over at Camaro5.

That solution sounds great.... for the Camaros.

You have to remember that the entire telematic infrastructure in place within the GMT900 trucks is different than the one in place in the Camaro. It DOES interest me that a dealership's service manager can get OnStar to update the vehicle in their database to show a Camaro as having bluetooth... but I don't know if they'd do the same for other models.

I'll inquire the next time I'm at the dealer trying a different way of programming the VCIM.

Brewboy · June 6, 2010

Charlie is right.......The Camaro is newer therefore Bluetooth was an available option in some models so its easier to change a database to say it came equipped with this option.

The issue for us over here with GMT900 trucks is that Bluetooth was never an option in 2007-2008 GMT900 so it's not as easy.

Sounds good for Camaro owners though.....

C. Charles Hahn · June 6, 2010

The issue for us over here with GMT900 trucks is that Bluetooth was never an option in 2007-2008 GMT900 so it's not as easy.

In fact as I was thinking about this some more, I recall seeing a GM service bulletin that specifically tells dealers not to contact OnStar or GMTAC with any requests to retrofit/upfit Bluetooth into a vehicle not originally equipped or available with it.

GXP25 · June 9, 2010

Charlie is right.......The Camaro is newer therefore Bluetooth was an available option in some models so its easier to change a database to say it came equipped with this option.

The issue for us over here with GMT900 trucks is that Bluetooth was never an option in 2007-2008 GMT900 so it's not as easy.

Sounds good for Camaro owners though.....

Agreed, but it could never hurt to try. I don't see how it's any different. You are simply adding your VIN number to a list. We all know these newer (09+ GMT900) VCIMs will work in older GMT900 vehicles to provide Bluetooth functionality. The holdup is the national lockdown on ordering the VCIMs.

If you read that thread (yes, I know it's long), you'll notice that they were trying to get specific people to bid on VCIMs from eBay due to how golden and overly-priced the part is. And like all VCIM swaps, the only feature that will essentially work is Bluetooth and maybe OnStar emergency.

By having your VIN on file as Bluetooth-capable and thus then being able to order a new Bluetooth VCIM from an 09 GMT900 through the dealership would ensure full functionality. That or finding and overly-priced unit on eBay and hoping to find someone who's willing to reprogram your VIN into the unit.

C. Charles Hahn · June 9, 2010

By having your VIN on file as Bluetooth-capable and thus then being able to order a new Bluetooth VCIM from an 09 GMT900 through the dealership would ensure full functionality. That or finding and overly-priced unit on eBay and hoping to find someone who's willing to reprogram your VIN into the unit.

Oh really? I'd love to know how you can make that statement when GM has issued technical bulletins specifically applying to GMT900s that state "dealers should NOT contact GMTAC for information or assistance with retrofitting Bluetooth VCIMs into vehicles not originally equipped with RPO UPF."

That's not to say that a well informed service manager might not know of a way around that, but all indications I've seen thus far say otherwise where GMT900s are concerned.

GXP25 · June 9, 2010

By having your VIN on file as Bluetooth-capable and thus then being able to order a new Bluetooth VCIM from an 09 GMT900 through the dealership would ensure full functionality. That or finding and overly-priced unit on eBay and hoping to find someone who's willing to reprogram your VIN into the unit.

Oh really? I'd love to know how you can make that statement when GM has issued technical bulletins specifically applying to GMT900s that state "dealers should NOT contact GMTAC for information or assistance with retrofitting Bluetooth VCIMs into vehicles not originally equipped with RPO UPF."

That's not to say that a well informed service manager might not know of a way around that, but all indications I've seen thus far say otherwise where GMT900s are concerned.

I understand how TSBs work but that TSB is dated back in May of 2009. The guy got his Bluetooth VCIM in April of this year (2010).

The TSB lists "GMTAC" while the trick is getting in touch with OnStar. Two different entities. GM Technical Assistance Center is the same place that told my dealer the XM module couldn't be reprogrammed and was a one-time deal. While semantically correct, the module's EEPROM can be cleared/reflashed an a new VIN can be relearned.

I'd personally try this OnStar/dealership "trick," however, there's another Bluetooth option available to me via an official C6 Corvette accessory.

I just thought I'd share this solution.

EDIT: Typo.

C. Charles Hahn · June 9, 2010

I understand how TSBs work but that TSB is dated back in May of 2009. The guy got his Bluetooth VCIM in April of this year (2010).

Yeah, this guy got his VCIM for a 2010 Camaro in April of 2010. Again: totally different vehicle, totally different modules. If GM and/or OnStar had changed their policies and found a way to retrofit older vehicles with the newer system across the board, that TSB from May of 2009 would have either been removed or revised to say as much. Since there has been no update that I'm aware of, it means the GMT900 trucks are still on a different standard than the Camaro and retrofitting is not officially supported, full-stop.

The TSB lists "GMTAC" while the trick is getting in touch with OnStar. Two different entities.

Again, you make it sound as though you've already done this yourself and had success. I think we're all aware that GMTAC, GMSPO, and OnStar are separate divisions of GM, however if you're saying you know something from experience that you're not telling us about what OnStar can and will do that GMTAC will not when it comes to resolving software issues remotely, I'd love to hear it as multiple techs have tried and failed to remotely upload the right software into my module thus far.

For the record, I've spoken to multiple people at OnStar on their technical team and thus far none of them have been able to pinpoint a way of making this work. They all tell me they've done everything they can from their end and advise that only a dealership can do anything more by utilizing tools from other GM divisions which don't officially support what I am trying to do. The interface and bluetooth functionality may work flawlessly, but linking the modules up to an active account at OnStar is not so straight forward at this stage.

Through independent research I think I have found a method that should theoretically work (testing the theory is an ongoing process though) but it does NOT involve having OnStar add the vehicle to any lists. By no means is a dealership likely to fully back or endorse that they can get everything working 100% perfectly using non-approved procedures to make it happen. Not to say that it can't be done, as I fully believe it can, but thus far it's not a documented process and involves a bit of guess work. That is what I have been working to change -- if a procedure can be documented and found to have a consistent rate of success, THEN things will get much easier.

At this point in time, just about the ONLY thing that list at OnStar will accomplish in the case of a GMT900 is to make it so you can order the proper VCIM directly through a GM dealer, and even then it won't be cheap as you'll end up having to swallow the core return fee (you won't have a module identical to the replacement to return to one of the authorized vendors/suppliers).

GM Technical Assistance Center is the same place that told my dealer the XM module couldn't be reprogrammed and was a one-time deal. While semantically correct, the module's EEPROM can be cleared/reflashed an a new VIN can be relearned.

I'm well aware of what GMTAC is, but that's not the point. The point is, from a dealership perspective GMTAC is the proper channel to go through and if they say something can't be done, it can't be done on an official level by GM -- they don't support it in-house. I'm well aware that the XM modules can be re-flashed, though as I recall it required the use of a 3rd party service to do it -- not something official through GM, and not really much of a different scenario than Chris White programming VCIMs for people.

It truly is vital to keep in mind that the OnStar system has changed quite a bit with regard to adding new features, making other improvements, etc. since the 2007-08 trucks were built, right along with every other piece of module software in the vehicles. This is why a retrofit is difficult; you're trying to put someone who speaks Swahili in the same room as someone who speaks German and expecting them to have a meaningful conversation in English without translators. Hand each of them the right translation dictionary, and the ideas start to flow.

In contrast, the 2009-10 GMT900s, and 2010 Camaros were available from the factory with Bluetooth, so adding that one function isn't nearly as difficult. The two guys in the room both speak English already, so it's fairly easy for the American to pick up on the Australian's slang terminology without significant additional help.

I'd personally try this OnStar/dealership "trick," however, there's another Bluetooth option available to me via an official C6 Corvette accessory.

I just thought I'd share this solution.

EDIT: Typo.

Thanks for sharing; it truly is very good and interesting information, I'm just trying to point out the areas of it that I've found not to apply in the specific case of this truck platform. Assuming the latest theory I have is right, the process really is much more straightforward than it has seemed, but it's different than what is being described for the Camaro.