File in Section:
Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

PIC5588A
October, 2012

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
Subject:

Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules (VCIM)

Models:

2000-2013 All GM Passenger Car and Light Duty Trucks
Equipped with OnStar (RPO UE1)
This PI was superseded to update model years. Please discard PIC5588.

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.

Recommendation/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 8-16 km (5-10 mi) in order to allow the system
to self-calibrate the dead reckoning feature. Important: Use of a J 2534-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.
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

OnStar.
Activation

Combined Set-Up and
Activation

2004-2008

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

Model Year

Vehicle Type(s)

VCIM Set-Up

OnStar.
Activation

Combined Set-Up and
Activation

2000-2005

Digitally Upgraded GM Passenger Cars and Trucks
(Including Saturn)

Tech 2

SPS

N/A

2009

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

SPS

SPS

N/A

2009

Chevrolet Uplander/Pontiac Montana SV6

Tech 2

SPS

N/A

2009

Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5 w/o RPO UPF

Tech 2

SPS

N/A

2009

Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5 w/RPO UPF

SPS

SPS

N/A

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

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.