Bluetooth Options For 2008 Silverado

Troops2990 · February 15, 2011

Just found part #20783877 in a salvage yard for $150.. should get it on thursday. Hopefully after that i will have bluetooth

mc7719 · February 15, 2011

New to this particular forum, but this seems to be the most comprehensive (or at least longest) thread pertaining to factory BT conversion. I just finished repairing a 2007 NBS Crew DRW Sierra and now that I'm driving it daily, decided to search for some BT integration options, and luckily I stumbled accross you guys. I've scanned most of the thread and it appears that success rates with this conversion have some disparity, so I want to offer to do my conversion in a manner that helps prove or disprove any solutions if I can. Also, I would have ended up buying a Scosche instead of trying this if it hadn't been for you guys.

It is an SLT, but does not have NAV. Of course it has On* and the audio is the US9(6CD with MP3 input jack). I have recovered a VCIM module 20783877 with the BT antenna from a wrecked 2009 Silverado2500 that I have. The wrecked 2009 that supplied the VCIM is owned by my company, so I have all pertinent VIN data if that is somehow necessary. My 2007 does not have a paid On* subscription, but I can connect and the system appears to be completely functional. I don't know if the 2009 had a paid and active On* acct, as we purchased the vehicle from auction and not the original owner.

Would those who have been heavily involved in monitoring this from start to finish like to have me attempt the install and/or reprogramming (via dealer or On*) in any particular sequence to try and ferret out any of the mysteries of why it(ON*) sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. I have a favor I can call in with one of my dealers if I need to, but it might be a week or two before I could make that visit.

For myself, I don't care about having On*, but when I sell this in a year or two, it would be nice to have everything correctly functional, or I'd swap the VCIM back to the original. I do use XM and I haven't seen any related issues in these posts, but want to make sure I don't "break" anything with that.

I appreciate the resource developed here and hope I can contribute a bit more.

Well, from someone that's been involved and researched this a ton (and successfully done it on my '08) here's a summary:

1) Bluetooth (BT) only began as an option in 2009. This also marked that start of a new version of OnStar software.

2) An 09/10 BT VCIM will work in an 07/08, but OnStar will not (regardless of VIN info, the version of software is different between 07/08 and 09/10)

3) An 09/10 BT VCIM can be swapped into another 09/10 model (that didn't have BT from the factory) and the new BT VCIM can be reprogrammed for OnStar to work in the new vehicle.

I installed a VCIM from an 09, into my 08. I have an SLT, Bose sound system with DVD, no Navigation, and with steering wheel controls. EVERYTHING works perfectly, (except OnStar, of course) From everything I've read and experienced, it comes down to an "model year mismatch" when trying to activate OnStar in this situation. However, that said, apparently there are reports that the "Emergency" OnStar button on the mirror does connect.

Similar to what you said above, I kept my original VCIM and will swap it back into the truck when/if I sell it, as re-selling the BT VCIM would be more likely, than if I included the BT VCIM in the truck, and kept the original one it would just end up being thrown away.

lamontqsanford · February 18, 2011

Well, from someone that's been involved and researched this a ton (and successfully done it on my '08) here's a summary:

1) Bluetooth (BT) only began as an option in 2009. This also marked that start of a new version of OnStar software.

2) An 09/10 BT VCIM will work in an 07/08, but OnStar will not (regardless of VIN info, the version of software is different between 07/08 and 09/10)

3) An 09/10 BT VCIM can be swapped into another 09/10 model (that didn't have BT from the factory) and the new BT VCIM can be reprogrammed for OnStar to work in the new vehicle.

I installed a VCIM from an 09, into my 08. I have an SLT, Bose sound system with DVD, no Navigation, and with steering wheel controls. EVERYTHING works perfectly, (except OnStar, of course) From everything I've read and experienced, it comes down to an "model year mismatch" when trying to activate OnStar in this situation. However, that said, apparently there are reports that the "Emergency" OnStar button on the mirror does connect.

Similar to what you said above, I kept my original VCIM and will swap it back into the truck when/if I sell it, as re-selling the BT VCIM would be more likely, than if I included the BT VCIM in the truck, and kept the original one it would just end up being thrown away.

Thanks MC-

I did install the unit from the wrecked 09 into my 07.5 on 2/14. While in the middle of programming the Bluetooth, the On* rang, and low and behold, they were calling to see if I was OK. I was a bit surprised and not really prepared for that, but apparently the "new" module was still sending a collision signal to On*. I told them that I was fine and that I was upgrading some audio equipment and had disconnected and reconnected the module- that must have been what tripped it(yeah, right ). After that I tested an outgoing call to On* and it worked as well. I have no intent of activiating any of the monthly On* services, but it's good to know that the emergency side is functional. Also, had no issues with XM in the transition. I am going to leave it alone since everything works the way I want it.

Thanks again for all the info and tips that people have posted on this.

P.S. We may have some additional 2010 units (A Traverse and Silverado1500) that I'm going to check for BT modules. We'll get them removed next week and if they have BT, I'll post the numbers if anyone else is still hunting.

wardlws · February 28, 2011

For those that have the '08 and partially functional Onstar, do you think that re-programming the PCM would help? It seems to me that many of the new Onstar capabilities (remote start, remote oil-life check, etc.) tie in very closely to the PCM.

Scott

http://www.scottwardlaw.com/truck

Troops2990 · March 2, 2011

Just found part #20783877 in a salvage yard for $150.. should get it on thursday. Hopefully after that i will have bluetooth

This deal fell through, after a few days they were "unable" to find it but they found another one for $70 more...anyways i have one in the mail from New York hopefully tomorrow (from another source), while i was on the phone with him he said that there was only 3 more left in the U.S. By him saying that i assume he has access to a database telling him this so maybe if anybody else is interested maybe he could hook you up with one of those three. its a long shot but an option for anybody having a hard time finding these. If your interested respond to this thread or send me a PM and i'll forward the phone number to this place for you.

SparkySparks · March 2, 2011

How much is he charging for them, I might be interested.

Just found part #20783877 in a salvage yard for $150.. should get it on thursday. Hopefully after that i will have bluetooth

This deal fell through, after a few days they were "unable" to find it but they found another one for $70 more...anyways i have one in the mail from New York hopefully tomorrow (from another source), while i was on the phone with him he said that there was only 3 more left in the U.S. By him saying that i assume he has access to a database telling him this so maybe if anybody else is interested maybe he could hook you up with one of those three. its a long shot but an option for anybody having a hard time finding these. If your interested respond to this thread or send me a PM and i'll forward the phone number to this place for you.

Troops2990 · March 2, 2011

How much is he charging for them, I might be interested.

Just found part #20783877 in a salvage yard for $150.. should get it on thursday. Hopefully after that i will have bluetooth

This deal fell through, after a few days they were "unable" to find it but they found another one for $70 more...anyways i have one in the mail from New York hopefully tomorrow (from another source), while i was on the phone with him he said that there was only 3 more left in the U.S. By him saying that i assume he has access to a database telling him this so maybe if anybody else is interested maybe he could hook you up with one of those three. its a long shot but an option for anybody having a hard time finding these. If your interested respond to this thread or send me a PM and i'll forward the phone number to this place for you.

i paid $190 and he said the antanna might or might not come with it, i have to wait and see.

wardlws · March 2, 2011

Just found part #20783877 in a salvage yard for $150.. should get it on thursday. Hopefully after that i will have bluetooth

If your interested respond to this thread or send me a PM and i'll forward the phone number to this place for you.

He's just using this website (or similar): http://car-part.com

So...has anyone reflashed their PCM module with either an updated flash for your vehicle / VIN, or tried flashing with a VIN from an '09 with the same PCM setup (same engine, trans, suspension, etc.)? It is my guess that this could help with the last of the Onstar functionality, but it is only a guess.

Scott

lamontqsanford · March 8, 2011

I have two 2010 modules, and both have the BT antenna attatched. Both are part #20829984. This part number has both BT and voice recognition. Per other posts, this part number has been successfully used to make BT work in 2008 models, but I believe that On* will have the same problems/functionality as discussed in this thread.

If anyone would like to purchase these, PM me and I will provide you with our sales dept contact info.

cwalcz · March 9, 2011

I have two 2010 modules, and both have the BT antenna attatched. Both are part #20829984. This part number has both BT and voice recognition. Per other posts, this part number has been successfully used to make BT work in 2008 models, but I believe that On* will have the same problems/functionality as discussed in this thread.

If anyone would like to purchase these, PM me and I will provide you with our sales dept contact info.

pm sent

cwalcz · March 9, 2011

Ok I've been reading through a ton of threads on the bluetooth upgrade...can anyone compile one list of all the modules that will work on our trucks? just so it's together all in one spot

Troops2990 · March 15, 2011

I have two 2010 modules, and both have the BT antenna attatched. Both are part #20829984. This part number has both BT and voice recognition. Per other posts, this part number has been successfully used to make BT work in 2008 models, but I believe that On* will have the same problems/functionality as discussed in this thread.

If anyone would like to purchase these, PM me and I will provide you with our sales dept contact info.

Just installed this today in my 08 sierra sle2, everything works as expected so far, i have not messed around with the onstar yet so i don't know about that but i do have a GREEN light on my mirror.. no red one.. the seller was easy to deal with and everything went smoothly, Thanks

lamontqsanford · March 15, 2011

I have two 2010 modules, and both have the BT antenna attatched. Both are part #20829984. This part number has both BT and voice recognition. Per other posts, this part number has been successfully used to make BT work in 2008 models, but I believe that On* will have the same problems/functionality as discussed in this thread.

If anyone would like to purchase these, PM me and I will provide you with our sales dept contact info.

Just installed this today in my 08 sierra sle2, everything works as expected so far, i have not messed around with the onstar yet so i don't know about that but i do have a GREEN light on my mirror.. no red one.. the seller was easy to deal with and everything went smoothly, Thanks

Glad to hear that A.T.! Sounds like it went the same as my 2009 module install into my 2007.5. I think that we could establish a partly functional on* account(if we wanted to), but the hang up is that any of the vehicle diagnostic information will tell on* that you have a 2010 Traverse, since that's what the module is from. I tested a call to on* and made a connection to a representative, so I'm confident that I could use it in an emergency- I'd be interested to know if you can do the same.

Again- thanks for the plug and glad we both have BT!

Troops2990 · March 17, 2011

the only thing i have found that is kind of annoying is that when im using the bluetooth, the clock on the radio disappears and all i see is a phone icon, is there anyway to get the clock to come back??

~kyle · March 18, 2011

the only thing i have found that is kind of annoying is that when im using the bluetooth, the clock on the radio disappears and all i see is a phone icon, is there anyway to get the clock to come back??

Yep, hang up.

j/k, that kind of annoys me too but I don't know of any way to change it.