70 Responses

  1. Daniel
    Daniel April 9, 2015 at 6:14 am |

    WOAH! That’s impressive.

    My 2009 Cobalt SS/TC has OnStar and Bluetooth, but I’d love to have it upgraded. I’m going to reach out to Chris on that one.

    Any way to upgrade the Bluetooth capabilities to support stereo audio (music)?

    Reply
  2. Takis
    Takis October 27, 2015 at 11:55 am |

    Thanks for the great article! It gave me great hope of adding BT to my G8.

    One clarification though, under the G8 category, you mention that module #20827036 offers Remote Link functionality, but below you also state that that is only for the Delta and Epsilon categories. Can you clarify is adding that module to my G8 will also provide me with Remote Link functions? Thanks again for all this great info

    Reply
  3. Jayne
    Jayne November 15, 2015 at 8:53 pm |

    I don’t see Impalas mentioned. I’d like to have the remote start functionality of the app for my 2009 Impala. Thoughts?

    Reply
  4. Nick
    Nick November 19, 2015 at 2:47 pm |

    I see that first generation SRX is listed as unverified. I have a 2011 base model SRX and would love to add bluetooth to it. Remote start would be an added bonus but not a must. Do you have any data on the 2011 SRXs working with this?

    Reply
  5. heath
    heath December 13, 2015 at 7:50 am |

    this looked like a decent option too. http://www.cruxinterfacing.com/products.php

    Reply
  6. William Birch
    William Birch February 2, 2016 at 8:38 am |

    I have a 2007 Cadillac cts with onstar. I would like to add bluetooth to permit me to link my Galaxy Note 4. Can you advise me to what is entailed to accomplish this?

    Thank you.

    Reply
  7. John Simpson
    John Simpson March 29, 2016 at 5:35 am |

    Does anyone think that Part #23261702 would work in a 2008 Suburban?
    This VCIM came out of a 2015 Silverado. it has Bluetooth and WiFi

    Reply
  8. John Simpson
    John Simpson March 29, 2016 at 6:01 am |

    accidentally unsubscribed to this blog. need to subscribe again . Christopher I wish to say, thank you for all the info you post on your site. i have spent many hours reading it about the many subjects you chat about and allow us to comment on

    Reply
  9. JIMchi
    JIMchi April 24, 2016 at 4:48 pm |

    I have looked at most of the information on the net, but there seems to be a little less clear info on the Buick lucerne / Cadillac DTS which for all general purpose the same car. Looking at just the Bluetooth for a 2007 lucerne (don’t care about onstar) with oem nav. Any ideas on others gm cars to pull from, sorry but it the misinformation highway out here and too many onstar boxes floating around lol. Thanks

    Reply
  10. Nick
    Nick May 17, 2016 at 6:12 pm |

    Thanks for your article. I have a 2009 Malibu with OnStar & XM but no bluetooth. I am pursuing your method for bluetooth adding. Also though, I’m wondering if I can change out the radio head unit with a similar type as mind but from a later model 2011 version that has USB and if so, if that would be plug and play, or is there additional programming involved.

    Reply
  11. J Bird
    J Bird July 7, 2016 at 12:06 pm |

    Wow – thanks for taking the time to write all this up!

    “Here’s how to do it on many 2007-2011 model year GM cars, and 2007-2014 trucks.”

    I just bought a 2013 CTS Luxury which did NOT include a USB option (standard on trimmed up versions of this ride.

    Does above procedure apply to my 2013 Cadillac CTS? I was confused by your reference to 2007 – 2011 cars only, above.

    Thanks

    Reply
  12. David H
    David H July 12, 2016 at 5:59 am |

    Christopher, this is fantastic. Buying a 2007 STS and really want Bluetooth.

    I was wondering, in absence of steering wheel phone buttons, how do you access functionality? Just via speech? Or do you have to interface with the paired phone to dial, etc?

    Reply
  13. Angel
    Angel July 24, 2016 at 4:54 pm |

    Will module 25990228 work for a 2008 CTS? What about 25910217 or 20787643? Thanks.

    Reply
  14. Michael
    Michael September 16, 2016 at 12:28 pm |

    Great resource – I just bought a 20827036 and had it shipped directly to WAMS for flashing, and I am really looking forward to Bluetooth and (hopefully) some basic app functionality. A couple questions:

    – do I just d/l the latest version of the app? it seems like gm is now segregating by the make of the car. will it just ‘find’ my car once i log into my onstar account?

    – can you tell me where to find any diagrams/instructions on where/how to swap the vcim on my 2007 Saturn Aura once it arrives? i haven’t had much luck with google.

    Awesome post Christopher!

    Reply
  15. Marlena
    Marlena September 20, 2016 at 7:24 pm |

    I am purchasing a 2007 Escalade SUV and has OnStar. I am not interested in OnStar but need to have bluetooth for my Samsung Galaxy S6. Can I swap the VCIM for this functionality?

    Reply
  16. Michael
    Michael September 22, 2016 at 5:19 pm |

    I found the vcim – behind the glove box. I’ll post once it’s back from WAMS and installed to tell about the app functionality (if any). Thanks for a great site!

    Reply
  17. Vinny
    Vinny October 8, 2016 at 8:17 pm |

    Great information!!

    I have an 07 CTS. If I change out the module how do you pair the phone?
    Is it done through the DIC?
    I do not have NAV.

    Reply
  18. Gregg F Saunders
    Gregg F Saunders October 31, 2016 at 5:36 pm |

    Awesome piece! Super informative, in all relavant directions! Any specific recommendations for an 08 Yukon XL Denali built in March of 2008? I would choose to send whats necessary to acheive maximun possible technical gains! Your specific recommendations would be nothing short of stellar!
    Thanks again for this informative narrative! Well written!
    GFS
    New Hampshires
    White Mountains

    Reply
  19. Mike
    Mike December 9, 2016 at 7:26 pm |

    Chris,
    I just purchased a 20827036 for my 2008 Saturn Outlook with OEM Nav. When I installed it I heard the bluetooth come one to sync. But from there on, any NAV radio keeps resetting when I try to use the voice command feature. I installed the original OnStar unit back into the vehicle and now I get the same issue that voice command with freeze up the NAV and resort occurs. Nothing will give me voice command any more. Any suggestions?

    Reply
  20. Ray Fletcher
    Ray Fletcher February 10, 2017 at 7:09 am |

    Chris; Thank you for the information you have shared on this site. I was wondering if you could answer this question. I have a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado with the bose stereo. No navigation. I was wondering what the easiest way to get bluetooth in my truck without having to run to the dealership and try to get them to re-flash my truck. Hands free is mandatory in my state and several of the surrounding ones. I have a lifetime script to XM and do not want to lose that.
    Thanks in advance for your assistance and all the information that you have garnered and shared with us! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Jeremy Pitman
    Jeremy Pitman March 7, 2017 at 1:37 pm |

    Do you know what parts I would need to convert an Hummer H3? The year is 2007.

    Reply
  22. M
    M March 19, 2017 at 1:42 pm |

    Chris,

    I had my Onstar VCIM 20783877 programmed by WAMS. I installed the unit. the unit works because Onstar just gave me three months complimentary service. The Bluetooth is not working. WAMS says I may need to upgrade my factory navigation XM radio to a 2009+ radio. I have a 2008 Chevy Avalanche LTZ with original OEM radio. Any suggestions?

    Reply
  23. Donny Stewart
    Donny Stewart March 31, 2017 at 7:30 am |

    Please contact me would like to talk mecp master certified. Did vcim swap on 09 g8gt works perfectly only onstar thinks i have 2010 silverado wich is fine.would like talk about vcim for remote link and wich i need for remote start lock un lock most current version and wondering do they let bt streaming possiable

    Reply
  24. Jason F.
    Jason F. May 20, 2017 at 12:45 pm |

    I purchased a used 984 module for my 2008 Acadia. The module came with the BT antenna on it. However it does not recognize the “bluetooth” command. Can you help?

    Reply
    1. David B
      David B December 28, 2017 at 3:42 pm |

      I’m having the same problem. Did you ever figure it out?

      Reply
  25. Tim Satryan
    Tim Satryan June 17, 2017 at 3:15 pm |

    Help! I have a 2010 CTS, and the OnStar decided to have a red light. Took it to the local Cadillac dealer, after the car battery was continually being drained, and they told me (after a $160 diagnosis) that the only solution was to pay $1300 to install a new OnStar… or disconnect the thing. So, the unplugged the fuse from the OnStar, and that solved the battery draining. However, my bluetooth no longer functions, so I can’t use it with my iPhone for hands-free calling.

    I really don’t want to spend over a grand on this thing, but I need to have hands-free calling restored. Is there a solution for me? Thanks in advance!

    Reply
  26. Christopher Price
    Christopher Price August 6, 2017 at 7:46 pm |

    If you have a Kappa platform car (Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky), someone suggested you try 22740323 and see if it works with both OnStar and Bluetooth.

    I haven’t heard of anyone testing it, but since it works with the 2011/2012 HHR – it’s possible it would work in our cars. It superseded 20833261, which I think only worked on the 2010 Solstice/Sky because of custom firmware).

    It’s a crap shoot, but worth a try. RemoteLink might even work after a WAMS flash. Would be really cool to remote lock/unlock a Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky from a smartphone!

    Reply
  27. Charles Vandyke
    Charles Vandyke September 24, 2017 at 6:22 am |

    I have a 2008 Hummer H2, I changed out my OnStar module to a 2010 Chevy Silverado OnStar module #20829984 for Bluetooth, it works great but no OnStar. what I want to do now is to get a new OnStar module so OnStar will work and show the right vehicle, also hoping to get RemoteLink. My question to you is, do you know what is the most up to date OnStar module I can use for Bluetooth and possibly/hopefully RemoteLink? THANKS

    Reply
  28. Adam Burd
    Adam Burd October 10, 2017 at 4:27 pm |

    Just did this for my 07 suburban. It worked perfectly. Install took 45 minutes and hands free calling is perfect. Module 20829984 was $49 on eBay. Free shipping. No onstar red light, just perfect bluetooth. Thank you Chris!

    Reply
  29. Mark M.
    Mark M. October 19, 2017 at 11:21 am |

    Great information Chris – I am in Sales, could have used Bluetooth integration in my OnStar/Bose/Steering Wheel equipped 2008 Impala long ago. Sourced a VCIM, 20783877 for $100 per your notes above. Was a little confused about source vs. targeted vehicle, but figured it out. There’s not much out there on actual Impala success integration, not even on Impala blogs. But it worked flawlessly, no reflashing/dealer involvement. Only issue was the mount for the new transplanted 20783877 VCIM does not matchup in trunk, old one had screw holes to body, but new one did not. I used some ZIP plastic things to mount around mount bracing, there’s also a battery that’s not mentioned above that is right next to the VCIM, but I just reattached it via screws to mount, never unhooked from it’s cable. Iphone Bluetooth pairing happened flawlessly and it all works. took about 10 minutes. Next – call to OnStar to let them know of replacement to align vehicle to replaced VCIM using advice above in case of crash. Will save old VCIM for future sale if needed along with screws for mount.

    Your WAM guys don’t work on weekdays, they made that clear as they don’t acknowledge M-F emails, but turns out I didn’t need to utilize their reflash services for the transplanted VCIM, good to know of their services for those VCIMs with power draw, who knows, maybe something will glitch yet, but was very excited when it worked, CID, everything I need.

    Music streaming via BT have not attempted, but sounds like it won’t work, not a big need, I am an older timer – XM Radio is all I need along with AM/FM tuner. Remote Link likely doesn’t work, but that’s OK, sounds like a great feature. Now I have a quality handsfree solution without the 3rd party rework. My son elected to buy aftermarket replacement for his 07 Silverado, will see how that progresses, but would advise this simple upgrade for all applicable Mid Ought Impala owners without BT functionality – no brainer.

    Reply
  30. Jake Bauer
    Jake Bauer October 30, 2017 at 1:58 pm |

    I don’t know if this thread gets replies any longer. I recently bought an 07 Yukon Denali. It has navigation, OnStar, XM. I didn’t know if it would be possible to pull an OnStar module from a newer car and swap them out, or if just using the Isimple kit would be better. I like the idea of using a newer onstar module. I have no idea which year or part I would need. Thanks for any help or advice.

    Reply
  31. James Bichl
    James Bichl February 10, 2018 at 6:02 pm |

    What parts numbers do I need to control my 08 impala remote start with my smartphone?

    Reply
  32. James O'Connell
    James O'Connell February 18, 2018 at 3:09 pm |

    Hello Chris!
    No need to reply. I took your advice and mistakenly reached out to WAMS on an off day and didn’t hear back. I reached out again over the weekend and again didn’t hear back, at which point I got annoyed and sent a third, unfriendly message. How ironic is it that I received a response to THAT message noting my first.
    I appreciate your website and hope you keep up the good work. As for WAMS, I doubt after our back and forth we’ll be doing any business. Unfortunate though, i already reached out to some repair shop owners about the WAMS potential.
    Appreciatively,
    Jimmy O’Connell

    Reply
  33. Bob Blanas
    Bob Blanas March 28, 2018 at 6:36 am |

    I’ve read your column many times. I own a 2007 avalanche I bought new. I ordered it with all the options available.
    I tried to use the costar box,but it didn’t work. It wouldn’t pair with my radio. I thought it was a bad costar box so tried another one and no luck.
    I than bought a ONSTAR box on eBay that matched the numbers you gave and sent it to wand. After about a month they finally returned it nothing changed. It didn’t pair and all I get when I try is a computer voice saying did not recognize try again or no speech detected.
    Please tell me what I’m doing wrong.
    Sincerely Bob

    Reply
    1. Ray
      Ray April 21, 2018 at 5:45 am |

      Don’t feel bad. I did the same thing with WAMS. I paid and it promptly accepted my money. I did not hear back. I sent my unit in for re flashing. After three weeks and not hearing back from WAMS. I emailed him. My unit came back 4 days later and looks as if the box had never been opened.
      I installed my re flashed VCIM and contacted Onstar. No luck. I escalated it and no luck. I emailed WAMS and was told to ask for 3rd tier tech support. When I called Onstar, i was told there was no such thing as 3rd tier tech support.
      To add insult to injury the VCIM’s still had the complete phone book from the previous owner. VERY DISAPPOINTED.

      Reply
  34. Charlie
    Charlie April 8, 2018 at 7:58 am |

    Hi Chris,

    Thank you for actively replying to this post. I have a question that is a slightly varies from the post topic. I have a 2010 Cadillac SRX (Theta Premium platform) with navigation. Currently, I may only can only do hands-free calling, but not A2DP streaming. I am considering replacing my current 20842731 unit with a 22979046 unit. Do you know if this replacement will work and allow me to do A2DP streaming? Thank you for your help.

    Sincerely,
    Charlie

    Reply
  35. Stewart Smith
    Stewart Smith April 20, 2018 at 11:40 am |

    Chris,

    I have just purchased a 2008 Cadillac DTS. I switch out the VCIM from a 2009 Impala into the DTS. All the wired plugged up perfectly. I was able to prompt thru the pairing proceedures to the point that it gave me the code, it recognized my phone which brought up the enter code pair screen. I entered the numbers and it showed that it was connected. However, when I hit the end call button it then ended the connection with the phone. When I attempted to connect again it prompted me to enter code but would not recognize code. Do I have the wrong VCIM? I have read there are issue with the 2009.

    Reply
  36. tony
    tony September 27, 2018 at 11:59 pm |

    hi chris i own a 2004 hummer h2 was wondering what is the newest onstar unit i can put on my truck just to add bluetooth to the truck . i have acces to a tech2 tool so i can match my trucks vin to the new unit myself . i just need to make sure i get the unit that would work for me . thanks alot .. the dealers around here are not helping so i came to you …

    Reply
    1. Jay
      Jay October 10, 2018 at 12:16 pm |

      From the article my understanding is that it will only work on 2007+.

      Reply
  37. Jay
    Jay October 10, 2018 at 1:01 pm |

    Hello Christopher!

    Fantastic write up BTW.

    I wanted to be clear before ordering a bluetooth VCIM for my 2007 GMC Envoy. Do I need to order a truck one, or can I use either the 22740323, or 20833261 modules?

    I’ve read the article many times and cannot distinguish whether I have to get a truck one or if it doesn’t matter.

    Thanks so much!

    Jay

    Reply
  38. Dan Waters
    Dan Waters November 30, 2018 at 6:33 pm |

    Hi Christopher,

    Interesting article, had to read it a few times to absorb it.

    I am looking to add bluetooth to my 2008 Buick Allure (LaCrosse U.S. model) but didn’t see it listed.

    Can you offer any assistance on what would work?

    Thanks,

    Dan

    Reply
  39. Steven simpson
    Steven simpson April 2, 2019 at 5:00 am |

    I have a 2003 yukon xl 1500 slt. I have the ability to program modules on GM Vehicles. What vcim is recommended to allow onstar to work again and will i need to upgrade the antenna as well?

    Reply

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