GM Accessories Personal Audio Link Communication Issues - keywords accessory accessories audio b1000band ipod pal radio

This PI was superceded to update RECOMMENDATION/INSTRUCTIONS. Please discard PIC4562B.

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, the tech 2 may not recognize PAL. If PAL does not appear in the list of body modules, simply exit and re-select "Body" to re-establish communications. When recognized, PAL will appear next to the F4 tab on The tech 2 software version 27.007 or later should recognize the PAL almost every time on the first try. PAL kits built with module part number 19201522 should not experience this concern.

2. Tech 2 Interrogation of XM Receiver: With PAL installed on the vehicle, it is necessary to switch the radio band to the XM band radio 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 XM band is truly on XM radio and not in iPod mode. If iPod mode, radio displays "XM1".

Important: If a PAL module is installed in a vehicle without XM, DO NOT enable XM using the Tech 2. If if XM is enabled in a non-XM vehicle the PAL module will not function. This is due to the PAL module trying to communicate with an XM module that does not exist so the PAL module shuts down. The PAL module can be reset by installing it into an XM-equipped vehicle and disabling the XM feature. The PAL module can then be installed on another non-XM vehicle.

Note: The PAL module was NOT intended to report DTCs, However, it's been discovered that a "test" DTC B1000 is showing up. Dealers should ignore this DTC. PAL modules built after 07/01/08 should not experience this concern.

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.