OnStar to Bluetooth?
03-09-2011, 04:14 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 01-15-2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 78
OnStar to Bluetooth?
I'm not sure where the best place to post this question is so I opted for the General area, if this isn't correct, please steer me in the right direction.
My 2008 Panel was a "Dealer special edition" according to the previous owner. It has every option I have read about for that year except for heated seats, which isn't an issue in San Diego :)
It has "OnStar" and I haven't subscribed to it and don't intend to, but it works so nice and clear through the sound system. If I hit the little phone icon on the mirror, my radio silences and a very clear voice says "OnStar Ready".
The OnStar microphone is in a perfect location in the headliner right above the mirror.
What I would like to do is somehow do away with OnStar completely and incorporate Bluetooth into that system since the OEM sound system that came with the Panel, doesn't have it.
Has anyone done this or know of a way to do it? Like which BT system I'd need to purchase and how to connect it?
I would appreciate any advice!
Thanks!
My 2008 Panel was a "Dealer special edition" according to the previous owner. It has every option I have read about for that year except for heated seats, which isn't an issue in San Diego :)
It has "OnStar" and I haven't subscribed to it and don't intend to, but it works so nice and clear through the sound system. If I hit the little phone icon on the mirror, my radio silences and a very clear voice says "OnStar Ready".
The OnStar microphone is in a perfect location in the headliner right above the mirror.
What I would like to do is somehow do away with OnStar completely and incorporate Bluetooth into that system since the OEM sound system that came with the Panel, doesn't have it.
Has anyone done this or know of a way to do it? Like which BT system I'd need to purchase and how to connect it?
I would appreciate any advice!
Thanks!
03-09-2011, 10:16 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: 02-22-2011
Location: dunnville ont canada
Posts: 119
03-10-2011, 01:07 AM
#4
Member
Join Date: 05-26-2010
Location: WA
Posts: 48
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/audio-video-17/adding-bluetooth-2009-lt-31543/
Take a look at my adventure with bluetooth and onstar.
Take a look at my adventure with bluetooth and onstar.
03-10-2011, 11:55 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 01-15-2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 78
Thanks for the helpful comments and links guys (or gals) 
psblake: Your experience was very helpful. I take it that if I don't care about having OnStar, then all I'd need to do is locate the module used like you did, install it, and the bluetooth would work fine? Does the radio mute when you get an incoming call? Also, you mentioned "Steering wheel control" is that something that needs to be added or do you mean the one that's already there for OnStar?
One last question, where is the module located and how hard it is to get to?
Thanks so much for your help!
psblake: Your experience was very helpful. I take it that if I don't care about having OnStar, then all I'd need to do is locate the module used like you did, install it, and the bluetooth would work fine? Does the radio mute when you get an incoming call? Also, you mentioned "Steering wheel control" is that something that needs to be added or do you mean the one that's already there for OnStar?
One last question, where is the module located and how hard it is to get to?
Thanks so much for your help!
03-10-2011, 04:09 PM
#6
Member
Join Date: 05-26-2010
Location: WA
Posts: 48
Yes it is literally plug and play as far as bluetooth is concerned. When I plugged the module in the bluetooth worked immediately. You do not have to use the onstar function or even be signed up. When you have a paired phone in the car the default is to use your cell phone not onstar.
The radio mutes you call is heard over the speakers in the car and the mic installed in the ceiling is what the unit uses. Works great! Sounds Great!
I got mine at a junk yard and that is the best way to find one or on ebay. car-part.com will search all kinds of junk yards all over the country. I cannot guarantee that the same module will work in your car but it should. Look for a 2010 Cadillac STS module with bluetooth when you do the search.
It should work but if it does not most junk yards give you 30 days to return it. Got mine very cheap much less then new and aftermarket kits. PM if you want to know where I got it and for how much.
Oh yeah the steering wheel controls are to access the phone. But I think your phone button on your mirror should do the same thing. I would REALLY recommend adding the steering wheel controls if your going to do it right.
The radio mutes you call is heard over the speakers in the car and the mic installed in the ceiling is what the unit uses. Works great! Sounds Great!
I got mine at a junk yard and that is the best way to find one or on ebay. car-part.com will search all kinds of junk yards all over the country. I cannot guarantee that the same module will work in your car but it should. Look for a 2010 Cadillac STS module with bluetooth when you do the search.
It should work but if it does not most junk yards give you 30 days to return it. Got mine very cheap much less then new and aftermarket kits. PM if you want to know where I got it and for how much.
Oh yeah the steering wheel controls are to access the phone. But I think your phone button on your mirror should do the same thing. I would REALLY recommend adding the steering wheel controls if your going to do it right.
03-10-2011, 11:56 PM
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 01-15-2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 78
Great, Thanks!
I have steering wheel controls for the radio and there is a "mute" button that I believe also activates the OnStar, but I'm not sure about that. What steering where buttons did you need to install and did you get it from the same place as you got the module? Also, did you need to install a Bluetooth antenna?
I know, a lot of questions, sorry. Your help is really appreciated!
I have steering wheel controls for the radio and there is a "mute" button that I believe also activates the OnStar, but I'm not sure about that. What steering where buttons did you need to install and did you get it from the same place as you got the module? Also, did you need to install a Bluetooth antenna?
I know, a lot of questions, sorry. Your help is really appreciated!
This is the steering wheel controls that I installed for the radio volume and the phone controls. The large button with the phone and mouth on it activates onstar or bluetooth the bottom button hangs up the phone.
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