PIC5588C

Bulletin No.: PIC5588C
Published date: 02/17/2017
Preliminary Information
PIC5588C Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules (VCIM)
Models
Brand:
All
Model:
All
VIN:
Model Years:
2000 - 2017
from
All
Engine:
to
All
All
Transmissions:
All
This PI applies to vehicles with RPO UE1.
Note: This PI does not apply to Canada upgrade vehicles.
Supersession Statement:
This PI was superseded to update Model Years. Please Discard PIC5588B.
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition / Concern
The Vehicle Communication Interface Module (VCIM) is part of the OnStar system and interacts with several other electronic control
devices in the vehicle. In order for OnStar to operate properly, it must be programmed (set-up) specifically for the vehicle
application to which it’s been installed. In addition to the setting up of the unit for the vehicle, the replacement unit must be
activated by OnStar in order for the customer to receive his or her subscription services. There are two procedures to follow in
order to complete the module set-up and activation.
Recommendations / Instructions
For many 2008 and prior model year GM vehicles, the programming is performed using the Tech 2 and the activation is initiated by a
Service Programming System (SPS) application called OnStar Activation (ONSA in the supported Controller selection menu). This
OnStar Activation procedure gathers critical information from the replacement unit and sends this data to OnStar. This data is then
used to update the subscriber’s account and to activate the unit according to the subscriber’s vehicle and account settings. When
using the ONSA procedure, a blue button press is no longer needed for activation of the OnStar replacement unit.
The auto-activation is generally completed within 2 hours or less. In many instances (depending on the cellular market and
subscribers home address), the subscribers personal calling phone number (My Number) remains unchanged and is transferred to
the replacement unit. For many 2009 model year vehicles, the OnStar or VCIM set-up procedure has moved from the Tech 2 to the
SPS application. This set-up is now similar to that of many other body control modules. This change provides a more efficient
process where both the programming and activation procedures are now supported by the Techline SPS application. These two
procedures are denoted as the VCIM Vehicle Communication Interface Module Set-up and the ONSA-OnStar Activation.
Important: To fully activate an OnStar module, both the set-up and activation request procedures must be completed.
To initialize the Turn-by-Turn feature, the vehicle must first be driven 8-10 km (5 mi) in order to allow the system to self-calibrate the
dead reckoning feature. Important: Use of a J2534 compatible diagnostic tool interface is required when performing the SPS
supported OnStar (VCIM) set-up and Activation (ONSA) procedures. For the 2010 and UP model year vehicles, the OnStar (VCIM) setup procedure and OnStar Activation (ONSA) request have been combined into a single programming event called OnStar Set-up
and Activation (ONSU). This change provides the most efficient process to complete all of the required steps to fully activate the
replacement unit, thereby eliminating any button press and long in-vehicle wait times for the activation to be completed by an
OnStar advisor.
The table below provides a quick reference as to the steps/tools to use for the listed model years:
Model
Year
Vehicle Type(s)
VCIM
Set-Up
GM Passenger Cars and
Tech 2
Trucks (Including Saturn)
2004-2008 HUMMER H2 (All Models)
Tech 2
2004-2008 HUMMER H3 (All Models)
Tech 2
Digitally Upgraded GM
Passenger Cars and
2000-2005
Tech 2
Trucks
(Including
Saturn)
GM Passenger Cars and
2009
Trucks (Including Saturn)
SPS
Except When Noted Below
Chevrolet Uplander/Pontiac
2009
Tech 2
Montana SV6
Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5
2009
Tech 2
w/o RPO UPF
Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5
2009
SPS
w/RPO UPF
2009
HUMMER H2 (All Models)
SPS
2009
HUMMER H3 (All Models)
SPS
2010 and GM Passenger Cars and
N/A
UP
Trucks
2004-2008
OnStar.
Combined Set-Up
Activation and Activation
SPS
N/A
SPS
SPS
N/A
N/A
SPS
N/A
SPS
N/A
SPS
N/A
SPS
N/A
SPS
N/A
SPS
SPS
N/A
N/A
N/A
SPS
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, please refer to the latest version of bulletin 06-08-47-001 for warranty information on control
module reset/configuration.
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.
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