GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: OnStar Schematics

DEFINITION: When the OnStar® call button is pressed, the audio prompt "Connecting to OnStar®" or "Unable to contact OnStar®" will play and no connection is made.

1

Did you perform the Cellular Communication Diagnostic System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to OnStar System Check

2

  1. Hold down the answer/end call button (button with a white dot) until the LED changes from green to red and back to green.
  2. Press the OnStar® call center (OCC) button.

Does the green LED flash?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to OnStar One or More Buttons Inoperative

3

Did you connect to the OnStar® Call Center?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 4

4

Is a fast busy beep heard?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

Test the operation of the OCC and emergency button. Allow at least 3 minutes for each call to complete.

Did you connect to the OnStar® Call Center?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 7

6

Are any cellular messages heard?

--

Record all cellular messages and call the OnStar Technical Assistance Center

Go to Step 7

7

Inspect for poor connections at the cellular coax connection of the Vehicle Communications Unit (VCU) and cellular antenna base. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 8

8

Test the cellular coax for high resistance.

  1. Measure the resistance of the coax center conductor (end to end).
  2. Measure the resistance of the coax outer metal shield (end to end).

Does the resistance measure near the specified value?

Less than 1ohms

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9

Test for continuity between the cellular coax center conductor and the coax outer metal shield.

Is continuity present?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10

Replace the cellular coax cable.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

11

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the Vehicle Communications Unit (VCU).
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Measure the voltage from the OnStar® transceiver (XCVR) RTN circuit and a good ground.

Does the voltage measure near the specified value?

0 V

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12

Measure the voltage from the OnStar® transceiver (XCVR) CMP circuit and a good ground.

Does the voltage measure near the specified value?

5 V

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 15

13

Test the OnStar® transceiver (XCVR) RTN return circuit for an open or short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 16

14

Measure the voltage from the OnStar® transceiver (XCVR) CMP circuit and the transceiver low reference circuit.

Does the voltage measure near the specified value?

5 V

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 18

15

Test the OnStar® transceiver (XCVR) CMP circuit for an open or short. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 16

16

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the Vehicle Interface Unit (VIU). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 19

17

Measure the voltage from the OnStar® transceiver (XCVR) TRU circuit and a good ground.

Does the voltage measure near the specified value?

5 V

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

18

Test the transceiver (XCVR DIG) low reference circuit for an open or short. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 16

19

Replace the VIU. Refer to Vehicle Interface Unit and Vehicle Communication Unit Modules Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

20

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the VCU. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 22

21

Test the OnStar® transceiver (XCVR) TRU circuit for an open or short. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 16

22

Replace the VCU. Refer to Vehicle Interface Unit and Vehicle Communication Unit Modules Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

23

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

--

System OK

Go to Step 2