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OnStar Generation 5 or 6 (Digital) System Inoperative/Has No Power, LED Light Not On (Remove/Reinstall OnStar Fuse and Replace VCIM or Follow SI Diagnostics)

Subject:OnStar® Generation 5 or 6 (Digital) System Inoperative/Has No Power, LED Light Not On (Remove/Reinstall OnStar® Fuse and Replace VCIM or Follow SI Diagnostics)

Models:2003-2005 Buick LeSabre
2004 Buick Regal
2004-2005 Buick Century
2004-2006 Buick Rendezvous
2004-2006 Buick Rainier (Prior to VIN 62183996)
2005-2006 Buick Allure (Canada) (Prior to VIN 61170824), LaCrosse (Prior to VIN 61170802), Terrazza
2003-2005 Cadillac DeVille, Seville, STS
2003-2006 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT
2003-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, TrailBlazer (Prior to VIN 62183983), TrailBlazer EXT (Prior to VIN 66127994)
2004-2006 Chevrolet Colorado, Express, Impala, Monte Carlo, Uplander
2003-2006 GMC Envoy (Prior to VIN 62183982), Envoy XL (Prior to VIN 66127728), Envoy XUV, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali, Yukon Denali XL
2004-2006 GMC Canyon, Savana
2003-2005 Pontiac Aztek, Bonneville
2003-2006 Pontiac Grand Prix (Prior to VIN 61170813), Vibe
2005-2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
2003-2006 Saturn ION, VUE
2005-2006 Saturn Relay
2003-2006 HUMMER H2 (Prior to VIN 6H108876)
2005-2006 HUMMER H2 SUT (Prior to VIN 6H108876)
2006 HUMMER H3
2005-2006 Saab 9-7X (Prior to VIN 62800175)
with Gen 5 or 6 (Digital) OnStar® (RPO UE1)



This bulletin is being revised to add new information for the 2006 Impala/Monte Carlo. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-08-46-001B (Section 08 - Body & Accessories).


Condition

Some customers may comment any or all of the following conditions:

    • The OnStar® system may be inoperative.
    • The OnStar® system may have no power.
    • The OnStar® LED light may not be on.

The technician may also not be able to communicate with the OnStar® Vehicle Communication Interface Module (VCIM) with a Tech 2®.

Correction

Notice: On 2006 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo models, make sure the ignition is OFF prior to removing the OnStar® fuse. Disconnecting power to the OnStar® module while the ignition is ON may discharge and permanently damage the OnStar® back-up battery.

Important: This bulletin does NOT apply to 2006 vehicles built AFTER the VIN breakpoints listed above. Refer to applicable diagnostics in SI for those vehicles that exhibit this condition.

Remove the OnStar® fuse from the fuse box, wait five minutes and reinstall the fuse. (For Saturn VUE vehicles, remove the "INT LTS" fuse from the I/P fuse block for five minutes, then reinstall the fuse.) If the OnStar® system DOES NOT return to normal functionality, then follow the diagnostics in SI for this condition.

If the OnStar® system DOES return to normal functionality, perform the following steps:

  1. Install the Tech 2® and determine what generation hardware and software ID is in the vehicle.
  2. If the vehicle is equipped with Generation 5 hardware and a software version 146, the VCIM should have the B1000 reprogramming performed as described in Corporate Bulletin Number 04-08-46-004A. The system should be tested and if the concern returns, the VCIM should be replaced.
  3. If Gen 5 with a software version OTHER than 146 or Gen 6 and above, the VCIM needs to be replaced and the system reconfigured.

You will need to call GM TAC in order to obtain a new VCIM. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 03-08-46-004C for more details on how to order a new VCIM.

Important: As with any OnStar® VCIM replacement, the OnStar® system must be reconfigured after replacement.

Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation

Description

Labor Time

R5140

Module, Vehicle Interface Unit VIU/VCIM - Replace

Use Published Labor Operation Time

Warranty Information (Saab U.S. Models)

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation

Description

Failed Object

Fault/Reason Code

Location Code

Warranty Type

Repair/Action Code

Labor Time

3691002

Replace VIU/Telematic Unit

36910

61

0

01

01

Use Published Labor Operation Time