Subject: | Information on OnStarĀ® System -- Possible Loss of GPS Signal, Hands-Free Calling Minutes Expire Prematurely and/or Inability to Add Hands-Free Calling Minutes |
Models: | 2001-2008 GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks (Including Saturn) |
2003-2008 HUMMER H2 |
2006-2008 HUMMER H3 |
2005-2008 Saab 9-7X |
with OnStarĀ® System (RPO UE1) |
This bulletin is being revised to add the 2008 model year, warranty information and to provide GPS signal recovery steps (under Dealer Action heading) to do PRIOR to determining if the VIU/VCIM needs replacement. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-08-46-007B (Section 08 -- Body & Accessories).
Important: If the vehicle currently has analog-upgradable OnStarĀ® hardware, then the customer should be made aware of the digital upgrade program per the latest version of Service Bulletin #05-08-46-006. Any analog OnStar system that is not upgraded prior to the end of 2007 will be deactivated due to the upcoming phase-out of the analog cellular network in the U.S. and Canada. If the vehicle has recently been upgraded or has had a service replacement unit installed, this bulletin may not be applicable.
Certain 2001-2008 model year vehicles equipped with OnStarĀ® may exhibit a condition with the Global Positioning System (GPS) that causes inaccuracies in the GPS clock. The GPS system is internal to the OnStarĀ® Vehicle Interface Unit (VIU) or the Vehicle Communication Interface Module (VCIM). This inaccuracy can result in a symptom where the OnStarĀ® Call Center is unable to obtain an accurate GPS signal, hands-Free Calling minutes expire prematurely and/or the inability to add Hands-Free calling minutes.
OnStarĀ® will notify the customer by mail with instructions to contact their dealership service department.
Not all vehicles will require VIU/VCIM replacement.
The GPS signal in some vehicles may be recoverable. To determine if the signal is recoverable, simply connect the Tech2Ā® and using the GPS information data display option, observe the GPS date and time. If the date/time stamps are equal to a date approximately 19 years in the future, the GPS clock has exceeded its capacity and the VIU/VCIM will need to be replaced. If the date/time stamp is in the past or near future, the GPS clock has simply generated an inaccurate value and may be recoverable by performing the following power-up reset.
To initiate a power-up reset, battery voltage (batt. +) must be removed from the VIU/VCIM. The preferred methods, in order, of initiating the reset are outlined below.
After initiating the power-up reset, the GPS data will be set to the defaulted date and time and will require an acquisition of the GPS signal in order to gain the proper date and time.
Important: Acquiring the GPS signal requires running the vehicle in an open/unobstructed view of the sky. First, contact OnStarĀ® Technical Support by pressing the blue button. Allow the OnStarĀ® Technical Advisor to activate the GPS recovery process. This should take approximately 10 minutes. Continue to monitor the Tech2Ā® for the current time and date. REMINDER - Keep in mind that the time displayed on the Tech2Ā® is in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and the offset is based on the time zones relationship to GMT.
Important: If replacement of the VIU/VCIM is necessary, you MUST reconfigure the OnStarĀ® system. Failure to reconfigure the system will result in an additional customer visit for repair. OnStarĀ® VIU, Generations 2 and 3, will require the technician to press the blue OnStarĀ® button to reconfigure the vehicle with an OnStarĀ® advisor.
OnStarĀ® VCIM, Generations 4-7 will require the technician to reconfigure the vehicle with the use of the TIS2WEB and SPS applications (pass thru only), along with the Tech2Ā®. The configuration and set-up procedure is a two-step process that must be completed step-by-step without interruption or delay in between each step. This procedure enables an automated activation without a button press by the technician to the OnStarĀ® Call Center. Following this procedure, it may take up to 24 hours for all OnStarĀ® services to be fully activated.If the OnStarĀ® GPS date/time stamp is non-recoverable and the unit needs to be replaced, dealers in the U.S. should contact Autocraft Electronics via the web at www.autocraft.com, select the catalog item that contains this bulletin number or at 1-800-336-3998. Canadian dealers should contact MASS Electronics at 1-877-410-6277.
Dealers DO NOT need to call the GM Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for replacement approval. Autocraft Electronics and MASS Electronics will be responsible for verifying that the subject vehicle is a candidate for a replacement VIU/VCIM.
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use the applicable model-specific labor time.
Labor Operation | Description | Labor Time |
---|---|---|
R9742* | VIU/VCIM GPS Signal Recovery Process | 0.5 hr |
R5140 | Vehicle Interface Unit (VIU/VCIM) - Replace | Use Published Labor Operation Time |
*This labor operation number is for bulletin use only. This number will not be published in the Labor Time Guide. |
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation | Description | Failed Object | Fault/Reason Code | Location Code | Warranty Type | Repair/Action Code | Labor Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3691005* | VIU/VCIM GPS Signal Recovery Process | 36910 | 67 | 0 | 01 | 05 | 0.5 hr |
3691002 | Vehicle Interface Unit (VIU/VCIM) - Replace | 36910 | 62 | 0 | 01 | 01 | Use Published Labor Operation Time |
*This labor operation number is for bulletin use only. This number will not be published in STM. |