Costar Bluestar Install

[Paul58]

I installed th BlueSTAR bluetooth hands free kit this afternoon, unfortunately my camera battery was dead and I didn't get pics.

 

The toughest part was getting the silver trim off, once that task was complete the rest was pretty easy. Remove the power outlets/switches and the HVAC controls and you can see the OnStar module undeer the radio. I did not have to disconnect anything but the OnStar module which has two wire harnesses and two antenna cables. Getting it out was another trick, there are to clips that need to be held away from the module as you lift up on the module. Once the clips are past the edge of the OnStar module, it lifts up and out easily. The BlueSTAR module simply pluges into the wire harness and then slips back in where the OnStar module was. It comes with a piece of double-sided tape to keep it in place and prevent rattles.

 

Once everything was connected I turned on the truck asnd tested it. It has redundent controls, the Mirror controls (phone button to place a call, OnStar button to end a call, and the red cross button [held for 3 seconds] allows you to raise and lower the volme of the handsfree set using the phone and onstar buttons). You also have the steering wheel controls, (the mute button will place a call, the arrow button ends the call). clarity is exceptional! It did take a bit of tweaking with the volume via the mirror controls to get the sound level equal to that of the speakers (steering wheel volume does raise and lower bluetooth volume during a call).

 

Overall very pleased with this device which utilixes a Motorola HF850 Handsfree device which is very campatible with a wide varity of cell phones. It paired with mine with out a glitch.

 

The only glitch I did run up against is a "Check Charging System" error displayed on the DIC and the Red Battery light is on. I don't know if this has anything to do with the removal of the OnStar Module, installation of the BueSTAR kit, or just a coincidence. The volt guage shows over 14 volts while driving, so it appears the charging system is working. I tried to clear the code with my ScanGuage, but it said no code found, so I'm not sure what to do next. Everything else is working fine.

[brims]

Good to hear it worked out for you, if it turns out that charging system issue isn't related to the BlueStar module, I may consider this as I have no use for OnStar.

[Paul58]

Good to hear it worked out for you, if it turns out that charging system issue isn't related to the BlueStar module, I may consider this as I have no use for OnStar.

 

This morning the error was gone and the red Battery light did not come back on, so sitting over night must have cleared it. I think I was the cause, I didn't remove the negative battery terminal as is normally recommended when installing electrical mods, and while testing I had the key in the on position instaed of the accessory position and did not think to shut off the head lights, so it probably caused a high draw on the battery which resulted in the error and Battery light. Anyway, all is well this morning, and the BlueSTAR is as clear as making a call using OnStar, only there are no additional monthly fees!

[alaska511]

Very good info, thanks Paul!!

 

Excellent mod.

[mlangkamp]

I got my new BlueStar this weekend and got it all installed. I noticed that there is a fair amount of static through the speakers though. I played with the volume on my phone (BB Pearl 8130), the truck (08 GMC w/o NAV) and the BlueStar unit. It seems the best I can make it sound is if the radio is down low. The only problem with this is after it disconnects and you reconnect the volume goes back up to a default level. Does anyone know if there's a way to have this reprogrammed to a lower default? It's just a pain having to adjust the volume down every time.

 

Thanks