GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2008 🢒 Equinox 🢒 General Information 🢒 Vibration Diagnosis and Correction 🢒 OnStar Symptom Diagnosis

Diagnostic Instructions
    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Circuit/System Description

The vehicle communication interface module (VCIM) is a 3-watt cellular device that allows the user to communicate data and voice signals over the national cellular network. It is powered by a fused, battery positive, voltage circuit connected through the vehicle wiring to the 3-button assembly and the radio, and attached by means of coax cables to the cellular and navigation antennas. Ground for the module is accomplished by means of dedicated circuits that are routed with body wiring systems to chassis ground points. The module houses 2 modems, one to process global positioning system (GPS) data, and the other for cellular information. Satellites orbiting earth are constantly transmitting signals of their current location, from which the OnStar® system is able to pinpoint its own location. The navigation antenna receives these GPS signals and provides the data to the VCIM to be processed. The VCIM communicates with the rest of the vehicle over the serial data bus. The ignition state is determined by the VCIM through serial data messaging. The module also has the capability of commanding the horn, initiating door lock/unlock and operating the exterior lamps using the serial data circuits. When an OnStar® keypress is made, a serial data message is sent to the audio system to mute all radio functions and transmit OnStar® originated audio. After the audio system is muted, the OnStar® signals are transmitted to the audio system on the cellular telephone voice signal circuit, and returned to the module on the cellular telephone voice low reference circuit. The cellular modem connects the OnStar® system to the cellular carriers communication system by interacting with the national cellular infrastructure. The module sends and receives all cellular communications over the cellular antenna and cellular antenna coax.

Diagnostic Aids
    • The customer concern may have been due to a lack of cellular service in a given area or a failure in the National Cellular Network infrastructure that has since been corrected.
    • If the prompt OnStar Request Ended is heard without pressing the white dot button at the end of an OnStar® keypress, the OnStar® system at one time made a successful cellular connection, but was unable to complete the call. If repeated calls are placed with this result, contact the General Motors Technical Assistance Center.
    •  An inaccurate or aged GPS position may have been due to the temporary loss of GPS signal reception by the vehicle in instances, such as driving through tunnels or parking structures which restrict the navigation antenna from a clear view of the satellites in the sky.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

OnStar Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

OnStar Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

Important: 

   • To successfully diagnose and repair the OnStar® system it is necessary to comprehend its operation. Technicians should read and understand the OnStar Description and Operation before attempting to repair an OnStar® system. This symptom below will enable the user to verify the customer complaint and narrow it to its source. If there is a concern with voice recognition or OnStar® steering wheel control function, technicians should proceed directly to the applicable diagnostic in Symptoms - Cellular Communication .
   • It is important to have the vehicle in an open outside area where a cellular call can be successfully placed and GPS data can be received from satellites.
   • It is necessary to inform the OnStar® Call Center advisor that this call is for vehicle diagnostic purposes.

  1. Ignition ON, verify the OnStar® status LED turns green.
    2. ⇒If the LED does not turn green, refer to OnStar Button LED Inoperative .
  2. Radio ON, set the volume to a comfortable level.
  3. Press the OnStar® Call Center button and verify the OnStar LED blinks.
    4. ⇒If the OnStar® LED does not blink, refer to OnStar One or More Buttons Inoperative .
  4. Verify the radio mutes and the Connecting to OnStar message is heard through the audio system.
    5. ⇒If the radio does not mute or the Connecting to OnStar message does not play, refer to No (or Noisy) OnStar Audio .
  5. Wait 10 seconds, then end the call by pressing the white dot button and verify the OnStar LED stops blinking.
    6. ⇒If the OnStar® LED continues to blink, refer to OnStar One or More Buttons Inoperative .
  6. Press the OnStar® Call Center button and verify a connection has been made with OnStar®.
    7. ⇒If the Unable to Contact OnStar® is heard, refer to Unable to Contact OnStar Call Center .
    ⇒If the OnStar® Request Ended is heard, go to Diagnostic Aids.
  7. Verify the OnStar® Call Center advisor can hear your voice clearly.
    8. ⇒If the advisor cannot hear you clearly, refer to OnStar Microphone Inoperative - Caller Cannot Be Heard .
  8. Verify the OnStar® Call Center advisor received a data transfer from the vehicle.
    9. ⇒If the data did not transfer, use the scan tool to access the STID and ESN and contact the General Motors Technical Assistance Center.
  9. Verify with the OnStar® Call Center advisor the vehicle has been configured.
    10. ⇒If the vehicle has not been configured, ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor to perform a reconfiguration on the vehicle. If not successful, ask the advisor why the reconfiguration was not successful, use the scan tool to access the STID and ESN and contact the General Motors Technical Assistance Center.
  10. Verify with the OnStar® Call Center advisor that the vehicle identification number (VIN) which they have on record matches the actual VIN.
    11. ⇒Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor to update the customer account with the correct information, and to perform a reconfiguration of the vehicle. If the reconfiguration was not successful, ask the advisor why the reconfiguration was not successful, use the scan tool to access the STID and ESN and contact the General Motors Technical Assistance Center.
  11. Verify your position with the OnStar® Call Center advisor is within a reasonable distance from the actual location of the vehicle.
    12. ⇒If not within a reasonable distance, refer to OnStar Global Positioning System (GPS) Data Not Current or Inaccurate .
  12. Verify with the OnStar® Call Center advisor that the GPS position is marked as Current.
    13. ⇒If not current, refer to OnStar Global Positioning System (GPS) Data Not Current or Inaccurate .
  13. Verify the customer concern is the inability of the OnStar® Call Center to perform remote functions.
    14. ⇒If the OnStar® Call Center is able to perform remote functions, go to Diagnostic Aids.
  14. Refer to OnStar Call Center Remote Function Requests Inoperative .

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

Control Module References for VCIM replacement, setup, and programming