Shocked that GM is cancelling my OnStar service in 2008

[ddbear]

I am in disbelief that GM will not provide an upgrade path to digital OnStar for my 2001 GMC Denali. I have used OnStar several times to report the location of accidents that I witnessed on the freeway. I can't believe that GM will cancel this "safety feature."

OK here is what I don't understand, and has not been explained by GM: why is it so hard to come up with an upgrade kit? I would be willing to pay a few hundred dollars to take the car to the dealership and swap out some components to work with digital wireless.

The OnStar system is an electrical component so it is not welded to the engine crankshaft or vehicle frame, or anything of the nature that would be so hard to upgrade. So if anyone from GM is reading this - can you please explain why it is "impossible" to upgrade? Are you just making it that way?

I'm not going to buy a new GM car as the solution. The Denali runs fine and has many miles remaining in its useful life. In fact by doing this GM has proven that the company won't guarantee the safety technology in their cars. I would understand if XM Radio satellites drop out of the sky and XM is discontinued, but things like seat belts, air bags, and OnStar should never expire.

It is strange to receive the GM letters blaming this on the analog cell phone transition because GM knew that analog was being phased out long before the technology was integrated into the 2001 models.

GM executives should talk to the engineering managers again, or find new engineering managers who understand that it is not impossible to upgrade electronics to make digital phone calls.

[mbukukanyau]

Time for a new Denali

[Quickening]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

Time for a new Denali

That is the worst solution, ever. Its complete bull**** that my service in my 9-3 is getting cancelled also.

[DuSpinnst]

How is this GM's fault? Digital service was not everywhere in 2002, and before that it was barely in major cities. How was GM to know that the FCC would allow the analog networks to be shut down?

You want to blame someone blame the FCC, and then blame Verizon.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

How is this GM's fault? Digital service was not everywhere in 2002, and before that it was barely in major cities. How was GM to know that the FCC would allow the analog networks to be shut down?

You want to blame someone blame the FCC, and then blame Verizon.

The fault does lie with GM. But it is dependent on when they knew the digital changeover was going to occur. They should have had known for at least 5 years the exact date of the changeover.

I bought my G6 in 2005, and I'm losing service, and need to upgrade. I find that ridiculous that they weren't putting "hybrid" systems in these cars to reduce the hassle. Not all GM cars built in 2005 have this issue. I find it very lame on GM's part that this is occurring in a car that's 2 years old.

BUt I'm going to eliminate Onstar because it's just too much of a hassle, and I've reduced my usage of the G6 that I don't really need Onstar for short trips anyways. And I'm eyeing the Astra as a replacement for the POS G6.

[shadams]

This has really been beat to death in this thread:


GM sued over OnStar change

Not to minimize the problem, but nobody in that thread had a solid answer either.

[drew630]

Originally Posted by shadams

This has really been beat to death in this thread:


GM sued over OnStar change

Not to minimize the problem, but nobody in that thread had a solid answer either.

Doesn't really matter, I don't think ddbear will be back.

[goochman]

When I got my 2002 Tahoe Digital Service was pretty much the norm. I think cell phones were 99% digital by '00, with Analog backup for the boonies.

Anyhow - doesnt matter to me since I dont use it though I guess it will ding my resale value.

[ddbear]

Drew630 is right, ddbear is back. My major issue is that GM does not provide an upgrade path for 2001-02 models that got stuck with analog-only. GM has not explained WHY they cannot make some kind of a kit that would swap out the analog-cellular circuit with a digital-cellular circuit. I can't imagine why they would have to make extensive wiring changes such as the interface to the vehicle computer or any other "complex" undertaking. I am guessing that some engineering manager just told GM execs that it is impossible, without giving it much thought. If anyone from GM is listening, try and take another look at it, and you might find that it is not so hard. Otherwise, please explain.

[jb1986_GM]

I think what GM should do is get a solution for 2001-2002 models like a kit. Now comes the good part, when my parents cell phone was stopped because of the new signal, our cell phone company gave us a discount on a new cellphone. GM should do the same so that everyone who wants this service has a better incentive to switch.

On top of that they are going to lose alot of customers from this.

[marckessler]

I traded my 2000 Escalade in for an Acadia. Several months ago I was notified by Onstar that my service was going to be stopped. Since I was getting rid of my Escalade I just quit Onstar anyway.
I got a letter giving me a free year. I just added it to my free year I got with my new car. I'm now good till May 2009.

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

How is this GM's fault? Digital service was not everywhere in 2002, and before that it was barely in major cities. How was GM to know that the FCC would allow the analog networks to be shut down?

Oh my... very little of that is true...
1) Digital service has been around since Onstar was FIRST release in 1996/97... By 1998 digital cell was pretty much nation wide with a few pockets of analog only in the boonies. I would like to say that the last Analogue only cell was made sometime in 1998 (except my 2002 STS has one )
2) How was GM to know... maybe they should read some industry papers, go to a telecom conference... The telecom industry has been talking about the death of analogue cell since at least 1997. It has been the FCC who has been dragging its feet on this... This was not a surprise... to anyone! If it was at GM then someone needs to be fired. If you are going to play in the telecom space you need to pay attention.
3) 2002? You must live in the middle of no-where. In my job I have traveled to most large cities in the US and Canada and the last time my cell phone switched to analog was in early 1999 in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. Digital service has been ubiquitous in most large cities and highway and interstate corridors since 1997.

Originally Posted by jb1986_GM

I think what GM should do is get a solution for 2001-2002 models like a kit. Now comes the good part, when my parents cell phone was stopped because of the new signal, our cell phone company gave us a discount on a new cellphone. GM should do the same so that everyone who wants this service has a better incentive to switch.

On top of that they are going to lose a lot of customers from this.

I mostly agree with this... I would add that they should go back to ALL cars with Onstar (1996/7) not just to 2001... I have no problem if the kit costs $200 even $500... but to just say "screw it" no upgrade kits is terrible customer service.

Back to GM paying attention... Hello GM, anyone home... You are watching the slow shift from CDMA to GSM... The new system support GSM too.. right? There is a good chance that one of the two formats will die in the next 5 years or so...

I sense history about to repeat itself...

[GMforME]

Some vehicles that cannot be upgraded would require a complete wiring harness change throughout the entire vehicle. Also some of the computer arcitecture in the older vehicles simply don't and can't manage the data communication protocall's required without replacing half of the modules with it. It wouldn't be a 500 dollar deal it would be a 5000 to 7000 dollar deal.

[GMforME]

Some vehicles that cannot be upgraded would require a complete wiring harness change throughout the entire vehicle. Also some of the computer arcitecture in the older vehicles simply don't and can't manage the data communication protocall's required without replacing half of the modules with it. It wouldn't be a 500 dollar deal it would be a 5000 to 7000 dollar deal.

[paul8488]

Yeah, it's not cool... but that's the technology game. If I find out in a few years that all my DVDs need to be replaced by Blue-Ray discs I won't be happy, but what can I do? All the companies know about the impending battle, but both are still being produced. Do I switch from DVD today and start my Blue-Ray collection? What if DVD wins out in the end?

There are 8-track and Betamax people out there who aren't happy either, but it's just a pill you have to swallow. It's unfortunate but it's the case.