[steelerfan n GA]

I am having problems with Onstar on my 07 Aura. On several occassions, it won't connect. It recognizes my "nametag" and the number shows up on my radio correctly, but I get "dead air" for about 20-30sec before the radio comes back on. I have contacted Onstar about this three different times. They have put me through to a service tech who runs some diagnostics and adjusts my settings. It will improve for a while, but within a few weeks, it's back to giving me problems.

Anyone have any ideas about this?

 

[nicolet]

Interesting...

Have you been to the dealer with this????


I can't begin to guess where to start...

 

[Punked by GM]

I'm having problems with my Onstar; IT's OFF! Its time for us; the 5 million that bought a 2001, 2002 GM to focus and file a class action law suit to recover our losses. GM baited us with the onstar ads. then shutdown the onstar. This is a classic "bait and switch". I was not forwarned before spending $35,000 on this now obsoleted GM product, nobody was warned. GM's resolution for the customer; "Buy a 2006 model GM and we will pay for the first year of onstar service". We have all been punked! Just like Enron's Ken Lay punked California. What happened to customer service? Now this customer is gone, gone, gone. I hope to see the end of GM!

 

[Old Dood]

I can understand the frustration of having the 'Old OnStar' that doesn't work anymore.
If they can make a 'box' to convert older television sets to digital then they could 'fix' the OnStars.

 

[fp115]

I can understand the frustration of having the 'Old OnStar' that doesn't work anymore.
If they can make a 'box' to convert older television sets to digital then they could 'fix' the OnStars.

They can indeed fix it, however you need to pay, as people are doing with their old TV sets. I believe it costs about $100. It sucks but this is not GM's fault that the move was made to cancel analog services, there were no warnings at the time it was told it was switched. GM made the switch in 2002-2004 in their vehicles and some qualify for the free upgrade, but not all.

 

[rbarrios]

didnt I read somewhere that GM had to use the analog version because analog is what was around in mass quantity at the time?
Digital was still either cost prohibitive- or just not good bussiness sense at the time....
now with digital transition ------- had to..

 

[2002 Caddy]

didnt I read somewhere that GM had to use the analog version because analog is what was around in mass quantity at the time?
Digital was still either cost prohibitive- or just not good business sense at the time....
now with digital transition ------- had to..

No, GM picked an "analog only" network for four reasons
1) Cellphones originally went digital for battery life... There is no battery life issue when the battery weights ~30 pounds
2) Analog had better coverage in remote areas
3) It was easier to concurrently do voice and data (at the time) on a analog signal... and the real reason..
4) Too cheap to send the extra $5 for the digital chip

The sad fact that all of the "hey my 8 track doesn't play CD's either" guys miss is that tri-mode phones that worked in both digital and analog bands have been around since the birth of OnStar. I got my first digital cell in 1997 From memory, it was free with a three year contract.

GM saw this coming... The carriers and the FCC started talking about the death of analog in 1997. GM ignored it... They hoped that the FCC would change its mind and not kill analog... And public documents dating back to 1998 document this lobbing effort... Rather then fix a technical problem they hired lobbyists and lawyers.

 

[scooter10572]

I'm having problems with my Onstar; IT's OFF! Its time for us; the 5 million that bought a 2001, 2002 GM to focus and file a class action law suit to recover our losses. GM baited us with the onstar ads. then shutdown the onstar. This is a classic "bait and switch". I was not forwarned before spending $35,000 on this now obsoleted GM product, nobody was warned. GM's resolution for the customer; "Buy a 2006 model GM and we will pay for the first year of onstar service". We have all been punked! Just like Enron's Ken Lay punked California. What happened to customer service? Now this customer is gone, gone, gone. I hope to see the end of GM!

I hate to tell you but no one knew back then that analog signals wouldnt be around for along time,unless you live in a cave you may see technology does improve every year,GM didnt do anything except sell you the latest technology available and if you feel like youve been taken then you are probably another GM basher that cant wait to spread negativity,go buy a foreign piece of **** and go live in japan.

 

[fp115]

GM saw this coming... The carriers and the FCC started talking about the death of analog in 1997. GM ignored it... They hoped that the FCC would change its mind and not kill analog... And public documents dating back to 1998 document this lobbing effort... Rather then fix a technical problem they hired lobbyists and lawyers.

They didn't have the resources in order to upgrade their own satellites. Don't forget GM has to launch their satellites to space in order to do the switch. This isn't like phone carriers which have more resources in order to do it and more clients. But this doesn't also explain why phone carriers also continue to give out analog devices till about 2005. My mother's cell will be dead with this, Bell isn't giving her another phone and she must pay $300-$400. Is Bell offering bad customer service for selling her a phone in 2003 and not upgrading it for her for free now?

You sound overly anti-GM, more and more by the day.

 

[2002 Caddy]

They didn't have the resources in order to upgrade their own satellites. Don't forget GM has to launch their satellites to space in order to do the switch. This isn't like phone carriers which have more resources in order to do it and more clients. But this doesn't also explain why phone carriers also continue to give out analog devices till about 2005. My mother's cell will be dead with this, Bell isn't giving her another phone and she must pay $300-$400. Is Bell offering bad customer service for selling her a phone in 2003 and not upgrading it for her for free now?

You sound overly anti-GM, more and more by the day.

What the heck are you talking about... OnStar doesn't use Satellites to communicate... You are just making this stuff up.
Everyone knows that OnStar works over Cell towers which are mounted on poles, tall buildings and sometimes mountains...

Just about every cell company on the planet will give you a free phone with as little as a one year contract... I got my KRZR for free with a three year contract. If you don't beleive me I'll be happy to post links to firms in both the US and Canada who willi give you a free phone on both the CDMA and GSM networks.

While I might be sounding overly anti GM
Based on your last post I hope you don't work in GM engineering...
OnStar... Satellites in space...

 

[fp115]

What the heck are you talking about... OnStar doesn't use Satellites to communicate... It works over Cell towers which are mounted on poles, tall buildings and sometimes mountains...

Just about every cell company on the planet will give you a free phone with as little as a one year contract... I got my KRZR for free with a three year contract. If you don't beleive me I'll be happy to post links to firms in both the US and Canada who willi give you a free phone on both the CDMA and GSM networks.

While I might be sounding overly anti GM
Based on your last post I hope you don't work in GM engineering...
OnStar... Satellites in space...

It doesn't work on cell towers. Otherwise explain the reason it would work in the middle of nowhere in a spot where you would not get any cellphone reception. GPS would also not work nearly as well if it was based off towers. The GPS is up to 5 inches accurate, cellphone GPS is 25-50 feet accurate. Part of the system does run from towers, but don't piggy bag off anyone else's.

Here is the latest satelite used by OnStar: (ICO G1)

My mom doesn't need a free phone, she doesn't want to be stuck in a contract. Why do that when she has pay as you go? She doesn't want a new phone, she wants to keep using the one she has now and by your logic why can't Bell engineers just fix her phone and make it work digital? Why does she have to pay for a new one? Why do my grand-parents have to now purchase a TV converter when less than 10 years ago they bought a new antenna, no one told them analog wouldn't work anymore.

GM is not the only one you can blame at this game, its costing all corporations money, marketing and additional time to switch people onto digital. Most people, such as my mom don't want to pay for something else so why should Bell not be liable but yet GM is? Why should satelite companies not be liable for selling to my grand-parents? Why aren't they giving everyone a free upgrade and why should GM?

No I am not an engineer, thank god I would go crazy in that environment. I prefer making business decisions rather than sitting there and not moving all the time.

 

[2002 Caddy]

It doesn't work on cell towers. Otherwise explain the reason it would work in the middle of nowhere in a spot where you would not get any cellphone reception. GPS would also not work nearly as well if it was based off towers. The GPS is up to 5 inches accurate, cellphone GPS is 25-50 feet accurate. Part of the system does run from towers, but don't piggy bag off anyone else's.

GM is not the only one you can blame at this game, its costing all corporations money, marketing and additional time to switch people onto digital. Most people, such as my mom don't want to pay for something else so why should Bell not be liable but yet GM is? Why should satellite companies not be liable for selling to my grand-parents? Why aren't they giving everyone a free upgrade and why should GM?

No I am not an engineer, thank god I would go crazy in that environment. I prefer making business decisions rather than sitting there and not moving all the time.

Dude you are confused... I hope you aren't making business decisions about OnStar 'cause you don't know how it works.

You are confusing OnStar GPS and OnStar Communications...

The GPS system uses satellites to triangulate position... That part of Onstar still works on all 1996 to present systems... Since the GPS system is basically the same one that was built just before desert storm.

The part that is broken is the Communications part and that part always has worked over the cell network.

In about 1995 all of the Cell companies started to augment their cell towers from analog to digital. Digital had/has lots of advantages over analog, battery life, cost of gear, data transmission, etc etc... It had/has one big disadvantage... Range. As the number of digital cell towers increased the need for the range decreased and the FCC and the Cell companies began to make plans to retire analog... This started in 1996 and was made public in 1997. If you want I can post the link to the FCC meeting were the GM OnStar Divsion was present. They knew.

Analog transmitters and receivers can be powered up to reach places that digital has trouble. THAT'S why OnStar could get signals in parts that ordinary Cells can't...

The issue is that GM was the only Cell provider in 1998 who hadn't begun offering digital phones... By 1999 EVERY PHONE ON THE MARKET was "tri mode" and worked in digital AND analog. The only Cellphone "manufacture" who was selling analog phones was GM. I'm not blaming GM for the death of analog... I'm blaming GM for not noticing this obvious trend and I'm blaming GM for not installing digital cell recievers back in 1998/99... But GM could have fixed this... Simply offer upgrade packages for all of these cars... GM desided not to do that either... AT ANY COST...

Back to your mom example... There are lots of really nice phones that she could have got for <$100. Without a contract... Even if they are $400... Why hasn't GM offered an upgrade of all OBDII cars for $400?

BTW I worked in the Telecommunications Industry during most of the 90's... I can tell you that if OnStar used a "Satellite Phone" no one would be happy with it. "Satellite Phones" need a "open" sky to work. They don't work in parking garages, tunnels, or on city streets with tall "blocking" buildings.

 

[fp115]

Naw I have nothing to do with OnStar.

Part of the communications works off the satellites in order to determine which location they will connect you to in order for you to get the best support. The satellites required upgrades as I read somewhere and it did specify to make it digital.

As well the OnStar towers also required to be upgraded. Not sure if they piggy back off any providers as well, but their towers provide more power than the typical phone carrier. Unfortunately OnStar has less costumers than wireless networks making it more costly for them to do, thus extending the duration of the upgrades.

At any rate almost all vehicles with OnStar generation 5 are eligible for the upgrade (the main ones affected by the issue). This covers just about all vehicles 2003 and up. From some of the data gathered less than 1% of current OnStar subscribers are ineligible for the upgrade.

OnStar is offering a package for those who really want OnStar still. Its a different product and different way of functionning but basically the same thing, unsure of the cost but it still works.

And you want the answer to your question:

Q. Why didn't OnStar begin to utilize digital technology sooner?
A. At the time of the ruling, there were three digital technologies, none of which provided nationwide coverage in the U.S. or Canada. It was not clear which of these technologies would survive and, in fact, one of the technologies has since been discontinued. It would have been impractical to try to provide services on multi-system equipment capable of connecting to all of these networks. Moreover, in order to provide OnStar services on the digital network, a new technology had to be developed to support OnStar's unique requirements to transmit both data and voice on the same digital call.

There is a fine line where money should be spent in order to allow upgrades. You say it is cheap, but this is time GM has to put in to old products when they should be working on new products.

Yes I know there are many cheap phones out there, but what I am getting to is the same reasons you had at blaming GM for selling it as an analog service. My mom doesn't want to upgrade or spend money on something she barely uses other than in case of emergencies. She uses OnStar to make calls when she is out and otherwise she uses the phone at home. Why pay more for something you don't use all the time, its not that she doesn't want to spend its the concept of being forced to spend, which is beyond your own control.


Enter your VIN here to see if OnStar can be upgraded:
https://www.myonstar.com/adt.os

 

[2002 Caddy]

Q. Why didn't OnStar begin to utilize digital technology sooner?
A. At the time of the ruling, there were three digital technologies, none of which provided nationwide coverage in the U.S. or Canada. It was not clear which of these technologies would survive and, in fact, one of the technologies has since been discontinued. It would have been impractical to try to provide services on multi-system equipment capable of connecting to all of these networks. Moreover, in order to provide OnStar services on the digital network, a new technology had to be developed to support OnStar's unique requirements to transmit both data and voice on the same digital call.

Yes I remember that from the OnStar FAQ web site... And it is true...

The sad part is that OnStar picked the CDMA digital network...
And while the jury is still out on this...
Smarter money would have bet on the GSM network... Smartest would have spent the extra $5 and installed both GSM and CDMA chip sets... and your bases would have been covered.

I fear that as the CDMA network fades away...
and is replaced by GSM we will have a sequel to this story.
BTW this too has also been documented and IS going to happen...

 

[fp115]

I sure as hell hope not or that would render nearly everything I have useless. I prefer CDMA over GSM anyway. It may be because the GSM carriers in Canada suck and cannot provide any decent service though. But if that does happen it would cause much more trouble than this analog problem, many more people actually use OnStar now versus pre-2002 vehicles.

 

[2002 Caddy]

I sure as hell hope not or that would render nearly everything I have useless. I prefer CDMA over GSM anyway. It may be because the GSM carriers in Canada suck and cannot provide any decent service though.

Trust me... Its coming... just simple economics... More GSM customers are added each year then TOTAL CDMA customers...

Plus the GSM network gets better/cooler phones first... and in this space market share is all about cool phones. For example you will NEVER see a CDMA iPhone

ALL CDMA companies have a 2-5 year plan to switch....
Its only a matter of time.

 

[Opusnbill7]

Trust me... Its coming... just simple economics... More GSM customers are added each year then TOTAL CDMA customers...

Plus the GSM network gets better/cooler phones first... and in this space market share is all about cool phones. For example you will NEVER see a CDMA iPhone

ALL CDMA companies have a 2-5 year plan to switch....
Its only a matter of time.

Well......

You're half-right. LTE is the way most CDMA companies are going to go in the future, and LTE is a derivative of GSM (in a second-cousin kind of way). As far as the "cool phones" argument, it hasn't made a difference yet and it won't. Both are too firmly entrenched at this point where someone is going to "switch". What will be more likely is as the next generation of technology comes out (such as LTE), then eventually CDMA and GSM both will go by the wayside. I don't think you'll see the wholesale "shutoff" that you're seeing with Analog, though, for many, many years (as there's no reason for the govt to mandate it like they did with analog).

 

[2002 Caddy]

Maybe... Its hard to say...

The cell business is not really about switching customers its still mostly about signing up new customers... and you get new customers with cool phones... Ask any "tween"

Yes CDMA is strongly entrenched in North America ( I pack a CDMA phone)
But as you note the handwriting is on the wall for CDMA service...

Bandwidth is GOLD... having a lame duck bandwidth costs carriers millions... Once we all get to LTE (or what ever it will be) there will be a ton of financial pressure to dump CDMA... like there was to dump analog.

The rule here is... If you play in this game you need to remain FLEXIBLE... The communication module needs to be LOOSELY integrated into the car and easily replaced... I trust GM learnt its lesson with "Analog"... Time will tell.

 

[fp115]

Trust me... Its coming... just simple economics... More GSM customers are added each year then TOTAL CDMA customers...

Plus the GSM network gets better/cooler phones first... and in this space market share is all about cool phones. For example you will NEVER see a CDMA iPhone

ALL CDMA companies have a 2-5 year plan to switch....
Its only a matter of time.

Cool phones don't mean functional ones. I am quite happy with my CDMA Blackberry and its no different than the GSM Blackberrys. The iPhone is worthless, it doesn't even support flash nor is it compatible with most applications I use. Not only that it is too large and the keyboard is not nearly as functional as you would want it to be.

I just can't see millions of subscribers going away any time soon being that CDMA is still widely used.