[nyxlr]

Just Got A Letter From Gm ...my 2004 Xlr Needs To Have Onstar Hardware Upgrade From Analog To Digital. Cost $15 (includes Parts And Labor) Plus 1 Year Subscription To Onstar

If You Don't Upgrade Onstar Unavailable After 12/31/2007

When Did Gm Switch To Digital As Standard Equipment?

 

[Mr XLR]

Onstar Digital

For the most part all Cadillacs became digital for Onstar rolling out during various times of the 2006 model year. For the last 18 months owners of 04/05 XLRs have been able to have their vehicle upgraded for only the service rquirement for Onstar. Cadillac was going to absorb the cost of the equipment (about 600.00) as long as you signed up for and paid for at least a year of Onstar service.

All analog equipment becomes nul & void as of 1/1/08.

www.Cadillac-XLR.com

Thank you
Allen

Just Got A Letter From Gm ...my 2004 Xlr Needs To Have Onstar Hardware Upgrade From Analog To Digital. Cost $15 (includes Parts And Labor) Plus 1 Year Subscription To Onstar

If You Don't Upgrade Onstar Unavailable After 12/31/2007

When Did Gm Switch To Digital As Standard Equipment?

 

[XLR I FL]

ALLEN:

Doesn't this also answer the question as to why the later NAV Disks won't work in the older 04 and 05 XLR's??

 

[Mr XLR]

Onstar Digital

Onstar Digital
No,
Digital Onstar has nothing to do with the Nav system at all, most of my 2004/2005 XLR owners have upgraded their disc to a newer version disc. If your vehicle does not read an actual "OE" disc and you have tried more than one, then there is a problem with your Nav unit.

ALLEN:

Doesn't this also answer the question as to why the later NAV Disks won't work in the older 04 and 05 XLR's??

For the most part all Cadillacs became digital for Onstar rolling out during various times of the 2006 model year. For the last 18 months owners of 04/05 XLRs have been able to have their vehicle upgraded for only the service rquirement for Onstar. Cadillac was going to absorb the cost of the equipment (about 600.00) as long as you signed up for and paid for at least a year of Onstar service.

All analog equipment becomes nul & void as of 1/1/08.

www.Cadillac-XLR.com

Thank you
Allen

 

[Ed and Sandra]

Could someone please tell us exactly what is done to the XLR to accomplish the digital upgrade for OnStar? What components are involved in the process and where are they located? Our local Cadillac dealer indicated they had to order a "kit" to accomplish the upgrade.

Thanks very much for any information that you can provide with respect to this matter.

Best regards,
Ed and Sandra

 

[Mr XLR]

Onstar Digital Upgrade

Ed,
I thought it would be simpler to post the notice since it has all the info instead of explaining it. Basically a new digital VCIM onstar module is replaced. My XLR tech has done about a dozen so far. It works great.

www.CadillacXLR-v.com

Thank you
Allen

GM ONSTAR DIGITAL HARDWARE UPGRADE PROGRAM
***************************************************************

1. ANNOUNCEMENT:
------------------------
GM and OnStar have launched an OnStar Digital Hardware Upgrade Program that allows current active OnStar subscribers to upgrade their OnStar equipment from Analog / Digital-Ready to Dual-Mode (Analog / Digital).

This program was developed in response to a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) ruling, that states that United States cellular companies will not be required to support the analog cellular network beginning in early 2008. Without this network, OnStar cannot ensure the coverage needed to provide subscribers with analog equipment the services they expect.

As a result, beginning January 1, 2008, OnStar service in the United States and Canada will be available only through vehicles that are capable of operating on the digital cellular network.

The OnStar Digital Upgrade Program gives current active subscribers with eligible analog OnStar equipment, the opportunity to continue their subscriptions beyond January 2008. The equipment upgrade also allows these subscribers the opportunity to take advantage of certain features only available through the Dual-Mode (Analog / Digital) equipment (i.e. continuous digit dialing and the Verizon Wireless America's Choice Plan with OnStar).

Notification to affected customers began in December 2006 and will be completed by mid 2007.

This program is available to dealers located in the United States and Canada.

2. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
------------------------

To upgrade their vehicle to an OnStar® Generation 6 Digital-Capable system, all that a customer must do is:
1 Take their vehicle to their dealer for the system upgrade.
2 Purchase a 1-year OnStar® Analog-to-Digital Transition (ADT) subscription plan.
3 Pay applicable subscription tax and a one-time charge of $15 for the hardware.

Customer will pay the dealership for the 1-year OnStar ADT subscription plan plus applicable taxes and $15 for the hardware. Dealer's open account will be charged for the total amount so you must collect the total payment from your customer.

The 1-year upgrade subscription is non-refundable, and cannot be transferred to another vehicle.

Customer can select either of the following OnStar subscription packages:
1 1-year Safe & Sound ADT plan: $199 plus applicable subscription tax
2 1-year Directions & Connections ADT plan: $399 plus applicable tax

Important: Dealers should not remit OnStar® subscription-related taxes to their taxing authority as OnStar® is responsible for tax remittance. The states that must collect subscription taxes are: CT, DC, FL, HI, ND, NJ, NM, NY, SC, SD, TX, and WV.

3. MODEL ELIGIBILITY

2006 model year vehicles and newer are not affected by this change.

Vehicles currently eligible for upgrades are:
Cadillac:
1 2002-2004 DeVille, Seville
2 2003-2004 Escalade Models
3 2003-2005 CTS
4 2004-2005 SRX, XLR
5 2005 STS





4. GENERAL POLICY GUIDELINES:
------------------------
The 1-year upgrade subscription is non-refundable, and cannot be transferred to another vehicle.

The new Dual-Mode (Analog / Digital) OnStar® Vehicle Communication Interface Module (VCIM) that will be installed into the customer's vehicle, as part of this upgrade, will have a new telephone number assigned to it. There is no way to transfer the customer's current telephone number to the new system.

Only vehicles listed in this message are eligible for the Digital-upgrade program.

Technicians are to install the OnStar® Digital-upgrade kit using the procedure detailed in the latest version of service bulletin number 05-08-46-006.



After the new OnStar system is installed in the customer's vehicle, have the service advisor or service manager or sales consultant review the new OnStar Hands-Free Calling procedure with the customer. The customer may be familiar with their Generation 4 or 5 analog/digital-ready Hands-Free Calling system, which uses individual digit dialing to make a call. Dual-Mode (Analog / Digital) equipment uses continuous digit dial, and the customer needs to be made aware of this change.

OnStar Hands-Free Calling requires an existing OnStar service contract and separately billed prepaid calling minutes, and is available in most markets. Pre-paid calling minutes are non-refundable and are subject to expiration after 12 months from the date of purchase, or when the subscription lapses. Calls may be made to the U.S. and Canada only. Federal, State, and local taxes, and other fees and surcharges may apply. Prices/packages subject to change. Minutes begin when you place a call (after you dial) or receive a call, and stop shortly after the call ends. Minutes are also used for calls that fail to connect and last more than 10 seconds. Minutes are rounded up to the next full minute.

Verizon's America's Choice with OnStar Plan is available on most vehicles equipped with OnStar digital equipment. A minimum one-year Verizon Wireless contract and one-year remaining OnStar subscription are required. An additional monthly line charge is billed by Verizon Wireless in addition to any monthly contract charges. Certain contract restrictions apply. Available in select markets only. If your customer is interested in the Verizon America's Choice with OnStar Plan, check to see if this program is available in their area before upgrading their hardware by visiting http://www.verizonwireless.com/onstar.

 

[Ed and Sandra]

Technicians are to install the OnStar® Digital-upgrade kit using the procedure detailed in the latest version of service bulletin number 05-08-46-006.

Is there any way we could see the contents of the bulletin? We still get nervous every time our small local dealer needs to do something to the XLR! We really would like to know very specifically what's involved with this upgrade.

Best regards,
Ed and Sandra

 

[Caly]

When I asked my service advisor about this, he said the equipment was something like $15 and a year subscription to OnStar was 199. I said I had maintained my OnStar subscription and asked if it replaces it or adds to it. He said it replaced it. I decided to wait until October when my current service expires.

 

[Robin]

On Star

I just had the Up Grade done. The Subscirption was added to the old. The problem I had was Phone Unit. After the Install I check to see how many unit I had
my 250 unit had drop to 30 unit. After a few calls to OnStar I now have all the units back. Robin

 

[XLR I FL]

I asked about this when i was at the dealer (Caly) there is another "wrinkle" IF you haven't activiated your On Star. They want an additional $100 "activation fee" in addition to the above charges.

It odd that they would do that but I guess revenue is revenue.

 

[Mr XLR]

Onstar Digital Upgrade

First, for the installation, you are responsible for the $15.00 admin fee thats all. I posted the bulletin so everyone could see exactly what the fees were. You are responsible for 12 months of onstar service paid upfront. If you have remaing time left on your current subscription, it is added to your additional one year. You DON'T loose any time.

For individuals that let their Onstar subscription expire as of 2/07 then they would pay a $100.00 re activation fee as well as the above charges.

www.CadillacXLR-V.com

Thank you
Allen

 

[Caly]

Thanks for clearning that up. I think our local dealer has some fairly new service writers.

This place ROCKS!

 

[goglobal]

It's not GM it's the FCC. They are eliminatin analog phones. Seems like a good deal for only $15 to me, if you want OnStar why not do it?

 

[Galen]

OnStar

I wonder if my car has OnStar activated? I just bought it so I guess I'll push the button and find out. Update: no Onstar, will do the update on the digital/analog then activate.

 

[jlmartin99]

Just Got A Letter From Gm ...my 2004 Xlr Needs To Have Onstar Hardware Upgrade From Analog To Digital. Cost $15 (includes Parts And Labor) Plus 1 Year Subscription To Onstar

If You Don't Upgrade Onstar Unavailable After 12/31/2007

When Did Gm Switch To Digital As Standard Equipment?

Greetings nyxlr,

I have upgraded my XLR with the OnStar and Navigation disk. Both are working fine. I also have another Cadillac, a STS V8 and I had the OnStar and Navigation disk update installed their as well and it is working fine as well.

Note, I have a 2005 XLR and STS V8 and both show improvements in operation with these updates in Voice recognition and commands for both OnStar and Navigation. I am very please with the results.

JLM

 

[XLRcited]

Greetings nyxlr,

I have upgraded my XLR with the OnStar and Navigation disk. Both are working fine. I also have another Cadillac, a STS V8 and I had the OnStar and Navigation disk update installed their as well and it is working fine as well.

Note, I have a 2005 XLR and STS V8 and both show improvements in operation with these updates in Voice recognition and commands for both OnStar and Navigation. I am very please with the results.

JLM

I'm surprised you are noticing an improvement in voice recognition with your upgrade to the version 6 nav disk. As far as I know (I also have the v6 disk) there were no VR improvements over v5. The analog to digital Onstar upgrade has nothing to do with the XLR's VR system in navigation altho it does make dialing a number much easier.

The VR system in the XLR is quite poor and very prone to any outside noise. My wife starts laughing every time I try to use it. "Go Home" I say and it responds with something like "zooming in" (but it varies each time). I hope GM responds with improverd technology (they should buy an Acura RL to see how well its VR works).

Bill