Bulletin No.: PIC5588D
Published date: 06/12/2017

Preliminary Information
PIC5588D Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules (VCIM)
Models
Brand:
All

Model:
All

VIN:

Model Years:
2000 - 2018

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This PI was superseded to add an important notice to connect to OnStar after programming to verify activation status, and added 18
Model Year. Please Discard PIC5588C.
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) set-up 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.
IMPORTANT: **** Prior to releasing the vehicle**** Once all SPS events have been completed, it is neccessary to wait 10 minutes and
then test operation to confirm the module has been properly setup and the account is now active. If OnStar requests the vin or says
they do not have vehicle info with the call, this would indicate that the activation did not go through and OnStar will need to perform a
configuration for manual hardware replacement
The table below provides a quick reference as to the steps/tools to use for the listed model years:
VCIM
Set-Up

OnStar.
Activation

Combined Set-Up
and Activation

GM Passenger Cars and
Trucks (Including Saturn)

Tech 2

SPS

N/A

2004-2008 HUMMER H2 (All Models)

Tech 2

SPS

N/A

2004-2008 HUMMER H3 (All Models)

Tech 2

SPS

N/A

Digitally Upgraded GM
Passenger Cars and
2000-2005
Trucks
(Including
Saturn)

Tech 2

SPS

N/A

SPS

SPS

N/A

Model Year Vehicle Type(s)
2004-2008

2009

GM Passenger Cars and
Trucks (Including Saturn)
Except When Noted Below

2009

Chevrolet Uplander/Pontiac
Tech 2
Montana SV6

SPS

N/A

2009

Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5
Tech 2
w/o RPO UPF

SPS

N/A

SPS

SPS

N/A

2009

Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5
w/RPO UPF

2009

HUMMER H2 (All Models)

SPS

SPS

N/A

2009

HUMMER H3 (All Models)

SPS

SPS

N/A

2010 and
UP

GM Passenger Cars and
Trucks

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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