3.2CL V6-3.2L SOHC (2003)
Communications Control Module: Technical Service Bulletins
OnStar(R) - Register Replaced OnStar(R) Units
Don't Forget to Register Replaced OnStar System Unit(s)
NOTE:
This article applies to '03 3.2CLs, '03 3.2TLs, and '02-04 3.5RLs equipped with the 1st-generation OnStar system. It also applies to '05-06 MDXs
and '05-06 RLs equipped with the 2nd-generation On Star system. The 1st-generation system uses an RF unit and an OnStar control unit; the
2nd-generation system uses just an On Star control unit.
If you replace an On Star system unit(s), remember to register the new unit(s) with OnStar. If you forget to do this, the On Star system won't work.
Before you can register the new unit(s), make sure the OnStar system status indicator isn't blinking red or solid red. If it is, then there's a problem with
the system, and you need to troubleshoot and repair that problem before moving on. Also, if the vehicle you're working on has the 1st-generation system,
you need to synchronize the RF unit to the On Star control unit before you can register them. (The 2nd-generation system doesn't need to be
synchronized.)
To synchronize the two units, start the engine and press and hold the "dot" button. The system status indicator starts out solid green, then goes to solid
red, and then goes back to solid green. This whole process takes about 20 seconds. When the indicator goes back to solid green, the units are
synchronized and you can now release the "dot" button and move ahead to the registration process.
To register the unit(s), park the vehicle outside. Press and release the On Star button to call On Star. If you've just replaced the OnStar control unit, you
need to press and release the On Star button again to place your call. This gets you around the preprogrammed welcome message.
If you get a busy signal, an error message, a roaming message, or the system just won't connect, wait until the system status indicator is no longer
blinking green and goes to solid green, then press and release the emergency button to place your call. You've got to be really patient here; the system
will try up to four times to connect with OnStar (it makes three data connection trys and a final voice-connection try). While all this is going on, the
status indicator is blinking green and you might hear different sorts of ring tones, clicks, or error messages. There's nothing wrong here, just sit tight until
an On Star agent answers your call.
IMPORTANT:
OnStar uses Verizon Wireless as its primary carrier. Some locations, however, don't use Verizon as their primary carrier and will route your call
through local secondary camers instead. Sometimes these secondary carriers won't route your call to On Star. Should that happen, you'll hear busy
signals, clicks, connection messages, etc. To finish registration, you'll need to drive to a location where Verizon is the primary carrier. You might
have to drive as far as 20 or more miles, but once you're there, you'll be able to wrap things up in short order.
Once the On Star agent answers your call, ask him or her to transfer you to On Star technical support (OSTA) so you can register the new unit(s). (Just so
you know, On Star may refer to the RF unit as the "VIU" and the On Star control unit as the "VCU.")
