GM Accessories Personal Audio Link Communications Issue - keywords band PAL scan tech2 tool xm

This PI was superseded to update model year and Recommendation/Instructions. Please discard PIC4562.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

The following information relates to 2007 - 2008 model year Chevrolet HHR, Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac Solstice, Pontiac G5, Saturn Sky equipped with the GM Accessories Personal Audio Link, or PAL (P/N 19171028).

1. Tech 2 Communication on Vehicles with PAL: Occasionally, it may require several attempts before the tech 2 recognizes PAL. If PAL does not appear in the list of body modules, simply exit and re-select "Body" to re-establish communications. PAL will eventually appear next to the F4 tab. New production tech 2 software version 27.007 will correct this and is expected in June, 2007.
2. Tech 2 Interrogation of XM Receiver: With PAL installed on the vehicle, it is necessary to tune the radio to the XM band in order to obtain XM module information. If XM radio is not sourced, the Tech 2 will report "No communication with vehicle". Note: The XM band is shared with the PAL so the technician needs to be sure that the radio is truly on XM and not in iPod mode. If iPod mode, radio displays "XM1".
3. XM not available on start-up: Customers with video iPods may occasionally experience the radio starting up in AM or FM band when the radio had been in iPod mode prior to shutting off the vehicle. They may or may not see "XM not available" appear briefly on the display before the transition to AM or FM. To avoid this situation, the iPod should be connected only AFTER the ignition is started.

If you see "XM not available":

1. Disconnect the iPod
2. Turn off the ignition
3. Open and close driver's door and wait approximately 3 minutes. Upon restarting the vehicle, XM band will be available. This situation is remedied by connecting the iPod AFTER the vehicle is started.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.