So I got my letter in the mail this week about the OnStar analog network being switched off December 2007. In order to maintain my service, I have to upgrade to the digital system.

Before they let you do it, you have to sign up for a full year of additional service, which is $200. Then $15 for the actual upgrade, which isn't much. You can't get the upgrade unless you buy a full year of service in advance. I have been paying on a regular monthly subscription that automatically charges my credit card.

The install I'm told requires taking apart the dash to get to the unit. Which really sucks, because I just had my whole freakin' dash apart just 2 weeks ago for a heater core replacement.

 

I can't understand why a human being would be so clueless and inadequate to want that OnStar stuff.

No offense

 

What do you mean? I love the phone. The traffic information is great. Stolen car tracking is pretty damn nice too.

 

Got onstar, love onstar. Unlock ure doors if you lock ure keys in, call an ambulance and fire truck of air baggs are deploid, trafffic assistance, telephone, I didnt want it, ssoo glad I got it!

 

umm ok well tell me that when your "clueless and inadequate" self locks your keys in your car......

 

I thought our cobalts already came with the digital OnStar equipment. How can you tell if it's analog or digital? I personally have never used my OnStar except to update my info in their system, but I like knowing it's there and active if I ever need to use it...like if my car's stolen or my airbags deploy, etc...

 

Just for the safety benefits Onstar should be in every car!

 

I used it for when I crashed my car and needed a tow. Waiting a good hour or two, but hey it was free!

 

Yeah I used it when my car died last week (crankshaft position sensor). One easy push of a button and the whole situation got handled. They ran a diagnostic, tow service was covered under warranty, and they did a conference call with the service dept at my dealership so I could tell them what happened and generally expedite things.

If it weren't for onstar, what took 30 minutes might have taken all morning. As for the digital upgrade, I haven't received a letter, but maybe its because I'm still under the free year of safe&sound.

 

They shouldn't have to tear apart the dash, most cars equipped with onstar that I've seen the unit is located in the trunk, maybe ours is different, I don't know as I don't have it in my cobalt.

 

I believe the 07's are already digital. I don't know about the 06's. The 05's (mine) are definitely not. If you want to know, just have the dealer run your VIN the next time you are in for a regular service. Or wait until 2008 and see if it still works.

The module on the Cobalts is under the dash. I have seen it myself, about two weeks ago.

 

I'm showing the VCIM (vehicle communication interface module) under the back dash. One of the openings the other dude on the rear deck makover put a piece of plexiglass over.

 

Interesting. I'll go look. Maybe more then one box for the system?

 

If ya find out more info on the module under your dash, let me know. Ya got me curious now

 

Onstar is Awesome, engine light came on in my 2007 Avalanche I pushed button told me gas cap was loose.. Saved me entire day or more at a dealer getting them to look at...

 

Okay, got it done. You were right, it's in the rear deck. The box I looked at before, which was shown to me by my technician at that time, was actually the Pioneer amp. He mistook it for the OnStar box. He was just as surprised to find it was back there. So I learned something.

It's a very odd place for that box to be. The antenna and everything else is in the front of the car, so to put the actual box all the way back there by itself seems strange. It's possible its location has to do with crash survivability, like a black box on an airplane. Thats the least likely location to be damaged in any kind of impact, so it will still work afterward.

 

LOL, maybe he/she never gets clueless or inadeuate. haha

 

I really wanted Onstar but there was not a vehicle with in 300 miles that had the options that I wanted(G85, side airbags, Onstar). Even the ones out side the 300 mi would not due a dealer trade and I couldn't order it due to the fact that I wanted to get on the 0% interest. I am not trying to high jack this post but my question is, can you add Onstar to no equipped vehicle?

 

I dont currently have onstar in my cobalt so does anyone know how much it would cost to have the system installed?

 

You can not get Onstar installed. It has to be done during manufacture. It is integrated into the vehicle systems.