File in Section:
Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

17-NA-215
March, 2018

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Red LED, No WiFi Operation, and/or Limited OnStar® Module Functionality After
OnStar Module Replacement for Another Condition

Brand:

Model:

Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
GMC

GM
Passenger
Cars and
Trucks

Model Year:

VIN:

from

to

2009

2018

from

Engine:

Transmission:

All

All

to

Involved Region or Country

North America

Additional Options (RPOs)

Equipped with OnStar® (RPO UE1)

Condition

Some customers may comment on a red LED, no WiFi operation (RPO VV4 only), and/or
limited OnStar® module (*or equivalent component - see note below) functionality shortly
after having the OnStar® module replaced for something else.
Note: Depending on the model and model year, the OnStar® module may also be
identified in Service Information (SI), TIS2web, the parts catalog, or the scan tool by any
of the following component names:
•
•
•
•

Cause

Copyright 2018 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Vehicle Communication Interface Module (VCIM)
Communication Interface Module
Telematics Communication Interface Control Module
OnStar® Vehicle Interface Unit (VIU)

The condition above may be a result of the replacement OnStar® module not being
properly programmed and/or activated.
Here is an example of items that may have been done incorrectly during OnStar® module
replacement that may result in the condition above:
• Not programming the replacement OnStar® module even though all replacement
OnStar® modules require TIS2web “Programming and Service Activation”.
• U.S.A. dealers incorrectly selecting the TIS2web selection that refers to Canada
upgrade bulletin 15-08-44-001 on a vehicle that has not had the Canada upgrade
performed.
• Incorrectly selecting an incorrect option from the SPS Supported Controllers screen
that does not apply to the vehicle (ie: Export, Only for RPO XXX, etc.) instead of
“Programming and Service Activation".
• Incorrectly completing the “OnStar WiFi Enable (Gen 10 only) Programming”
procedure before the TIS2web “Programming and Service Activation” procedure has
been completed (RPO VV4 only).
• Not pressing the OnStar® Blue Button to call OnStar and confirm proper operation
once the TIS2web “Programming and Service Activation” procedure has been
completed when it is required in the “Communication Interface Module Programming
and Setup” procedure in SI (*or equivalent SI procedure).

Page 2

Correction

March, 2018

Bulletin No.: 17-NA-215

If this condition started right after OnStar® module replacement, the technician should
start by thoroughly reviewing every step of the “Communication Interface Module
Programming and Setup” procedure in SI to determine if every step was performed
exactly as outlined and/or if any steps were missed. If the technician is unsure, press the
OnStar® Blue Button to call OnStar in order to confirm proper operation or not. If any
steps were not performed properly or missed, or if OnStar confirms incomplete
programming/activation, the technician should carefully perform the “Communication
Interface Module Programming and Setup” procedure again from the beginning without
skipping any steps and re-evaluate the concern.

Warranty Information
The OnStar® module replacement labor op/time
includes time to properly program and activate the new
OnStar® module. As a result, this is not considered a
warrantable repair if it started happening shortly after
OnStar® module replacement.

Service Procedure
While all of the steps documented in the SI procedure
are important, the following list includes 6 important
reminders from the “Communication Interface Module
Programming and Setup” procedure in SI that must be
followed to ensure proper operation of your
replacement OnStar module and prevent the condition
above:
1. All replacement OnStar® modules require
TIS2web programming – refer to every step of the
“Communication Interface Module Programming
and Setup” procedure in SI (*or equivalent) for
details.
4829365

3. To properly program a replacement OnStar®
module, select the “Programming and Service
Activation" option from the SPS Supported
Controllers screen.
4. When launching TIS2web to program a
replacement OnStar® module, select the “Replace
and Reprogram” option.
Note: The previous issue in Tis2Web that required
always having to select the “Reprogram” option has
been corrected. You may now select the “Replace and
Program” option when appropriate.

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2. U.S.A. dealers should NOT select the TIS2web
selection that refers to Canada upgrade “bulletin
15-08-44-001” unless there is a rare exception
where they are servicing a vehicle that has had the
Canada upgrade bulletin 15-08-44-001 performed
on it for some reason. Otherwise, they should
never select this option under normal
circumstances.

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Bulletin No.: 17-NA-215

March, 2018

Page 3

5. Do not select the “OnStar WiFi Enable (Gen 10
only) Programming” procedure until immediately
after the TIS2web “Programming and Service
Activation” procedure has been completed (RPO
VV4 only).

4829369

6. When required by the SI procedure, press the
OnStar® Blue Button to call OnStar and confirm
proper operation once the TIS2web “Programming
and Service Activation” procedure has been
completed. To ensure that OnStar has received
everything from TIS2web that they need to confirm
proper operation, it is suggested to wait at least 5
minutes and have the vehicle in an area with a
clear view of the sky before pressing the blue
button to contact them.

Version

2

Modified

February 28, 2018 – Updated the Cause section and Service Procedure Step 4.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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