November 2006 Archives

At present, this information applies only to dealers in the United States.

Information will be forthcoming for Canadian dealers

Since it was launched in 1996, OnStar has relied on an analog wireless network to provide communication to and from OnStar-equipped vehicles. As part of an industry wide change in the North American wireless telecommunications industry, wireless carriers are transitioning to digital technology and will no longer support the analog wireless network beginning early 2008. 

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 network. 

Certain model years 2002-05 Gen 4 and 5 (analog/digital-ready) GM vehicles are upgradable to a digitally capable OnStar system.

Bulletin 05-08-46-006G is being released to list eligible vehicles and to explain the upgrade process.

Program Requirements

TIP: Only vehicles listed in bulletin 05-08-46-006G are eligible to be upgraded. Vehicle upgradeability can also be determined by typing the VIN into the appropriate field at onstarenrollment.com, now found in GM DealerWorld.

Effective October 17, the customer must agree to purchase a 1-year, non-refundable non-transferable subscription to OnStar (two packages are available -- Safe and Sound, and Directions and Connections). The upgrade kit (fig. 1) will be provided at no additional cost with the purchase of the 1-year subscription.

Kit stock levels are very limited, and the supplier of the kits will not have sufficient inventory until January. It's advisable to hold off performing upgrades until January, unless absolutely necessary.

This is a non-warrantable repair.

There is no way to transfer the customer's present telephone number from the analog system to the new digital system. Hands-Free Calling (HFC) nametags stored in the old system will be lost, and will need to be re-established after the upgrade is complete.

Installation Tips

You must follow the steps in the bulletin exactly in order to ensure a satisfactory installation.

Here are some of the highlights.

Follow the ordering process in the bulletin. It involves obtaining the customer's signature on the Digital Hardware Upgrade Terms and Conditions Form and faxing in to the telephone number in the bulletin. Part numbers for upgrade kits are listed by eligible vehicle in the bulletin. The proper upgrade kit will be shipped within 24 hours.

TIP: The Digital Hardware Upgrade Terms and Conditions Form can be downloaded from the Autocraft website www.aeorder.com.

On some vehicles, the existing antenna mast is discarded and a replacement mast from the kit is screwed to the antenna base.

On other vehicles, the on-glass antenna mast and inner and outer couplers are replaced with components included in the kit. Follow instructions carefully to be sure the antenna is installed in the correct location and that it adheres properly.

On certain Cadillac STSs, a new inside rearview (ISRV) mirror replaces the existing mirror.

The Vehicle Communication Interface Module (VCIM) from the kit replaces the original VCIM in the vehicle. In some cases, a new mounting bracket is supplied. And some VCIMs may have a small jumper harness attached, which must be plugged into the OnStar connector.

Configuration

IMPORTANT: The new system must be configured. If it is not, the OnStar LED light will remain red and will not change to green. Pressing and holding the white dot button will not reset this version of OnStar, but will set a DTC.

The configuration process involves set-up of the new VCIM with the Tech 2. The complete process is detailed in the bulletin.

Customer Information

After installation, the customer must be introduced to the features of the Generation 6 equipment, some of which are different from their old equipment. An important difference is the continuous digit dial feature. An owner manual and a tip sheet included in the kit will help the customer better understand their new OnStar system. Be sure to fill out the warranty form and give it to the customer (keep a copy for dealership records).

- Thanks to Frank Pompa

Owners of some 2007 full-size utilities may comment on a clunk or thump noise from the rear of the vehicle when driving on rough roads or over bumps. The noise may be coming from the rear bumper assembly (fig. 2).

There are two metal tabs (right and left side) which fold over the front of the lower bumper reinforcement. The tabs can be seen by raising the vehicle. The noise can be caused by contact between the metal tab and lower bumper reinforcement.

To correct this concern, bend both the left and right tabs away (forward) from the lower reinforcement.

- Thanks to Jim Will

The August 2006 issue of TechLink contained an article on a new procedure for removing the cylinder head from the 2.8L (LK5) and 3.5L (L52) engines. It contained an incorrect tool number.

The correct tool number is EN-48464 Lower Timing Gear Tensioner Holding Tool
(fig. 3 and 4).

This new procedure can now be used on the 4.2L (LL8) engine as well.

The procedure is explained and demonstrated in a recent IDL technician training broadcast 10206.06D.

Canadian Dealers: Refer to your taped copy of the August 2006 TAC TALK IDL broadcast.

There is also information in bulletin 06-06-01-017A

Important Assembly Tip

After installing the cylinder head, it is absolutely necessary to check cam timing during reassembly.

Using a dial indicator is the only precise method for establishing piston TDC (fig. 5). Any other method may result in incorrect cam-to-crankshaft timing. This will cause misfire codes, which requires partial disasembly to correct.

- Thanks to Randy Risley

GM Upper Engine and Fuel Injector Cleaner p/n 88861802 (in Canada, 88861804) (fig. 6)replaces GM Top Engine Cleaner p/n 12346535 and p/n 1050002 (in Canada, 992872).

Use of lower quality fuels may leave harmful engine deposits that can degrade driveability. Some fuels may not burn cleanly or do not contain sufficient doses of deposit control additives, and can leave behind harmful deposits which can retard engine performance.

Characteristics of GM Top Engine Cleaner (TEC) -- TEC does not mix with gasoline containing 10% or more ethanol. Higher concentrations lead to ineffective fuel injector cleaning as explained in bulletin 03-06-04-030A. TEC must be be mixed with gasoline to perform the injector cleaning. TEC isn't VOC compliant in all 50 states. In the event it finds its way into the fuel tank due to return lines being ineffectively plugged off, TEC can affect epoxy sealer and viton gaskets.

Characteristics of NEW GM Upper Engine and Fuel Injector Cleaner (UEC) -- UEC is specially formulated to provide superior cleaning properties, meet VOC compliance, mix with fuels containing up to 30% ethanol, and not affect fuel system gaskets and seals.

UEC delivers immediate engine deposit cleaning. It has multiple service applications, including in-rail fuel injector cleaning, fuel induction system deposit removal and piston top soaking clean-up.

Refer to the illustrations for a cleaning comparison. 

Fig. 7 Before 

Fig. 8 Cleaned with TEC 

Fig. 9 Before 

Fig. 10 Cleaned with UEC 

One treatment of GM Upper Engine and Fuel Injector Cleaner can deliver deposit clean-up of carburetors, fuel injectors (when used as a through-the-rail cleaner), intake valves and ports, and combustion chambers. Refer to GM Technical Service Bulletins for specific service procedures.

IMPORTANT: Do not add GM Upper Engine and Fuel Injector Cleaner into the fuel tank.

A bottle of GM VehicleCare Fuel System Treatment Plus p/n 88861011 (in Canada, 88861012) should be added to the fuel tank according to label directions after all applications of GM Upper Engine and Fuel Injector Cleaner.

- Thanks to Jay Dankovich

Owners of some full-size 2007 utilities with heated windshield washer fluid RPO XA7 may comment that the windshield washers/wipers operate erratically, turn on by themselves or spray too long.

These concerns may be due to a misunderstanding of how the system operates or unknowingly turning on the heated windshield washers.

The heated windshield washer button (fig. 11) is located below the HVAC controls, and if personal items are placed on the center console, it is possible to inadvertently activate the heated washers.

TIP: If you check a customer concern and find no problem, be sure the customer has a demonstration of normal system operation.

Normal Operation -- When the heated washers are activated, a light in the button blinks to indicate the system is turned on. In some lighting conditions, it may be difficult to see the light. Once the system is activated, it initiates four heated wash/wipe cycles. The first heated wash/wipe cycle may take up to 40 seconds to occur, depending on outside temperature. After the first wash/wipe cycle, it may take up to 20 seconds for each of the remaining cycles to begin. Press the button again to turn off the heated windshield washer fluid system; it will also automatically turn off after four wipe cycles have been completed.

Refer to the "Windshield Washer" section of the owner manual for more details.

- Thanks to Jim Will and Marty Case

Operation of a typical in-tank fuel level sending unit is based on variable resistance. As the float moves up or down according to fuel level, the resistance in the sending unit varies. This varying resistance is processed by the engine control module (ECM) and the resulting information is sent to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) for display on the fuel gauge.

In the past, the sending unit was set up so that high resistance indicated high fuel level, and low resistance indicated low fuel level.

Sulfur contaminants found in some of today's gasolines can form deposits on the sending unit (fig. 12), resulting in higher-than-intended resistance (TechLink, Jan. 2006). The high resistance from the deposits could be misinterpreted as a high fuel level, when in fact the fuel level is low. The driver may run out of fuel, even though the fuel gauge is not indicating low or empty.

To offset this effect, engineering has begun "flipping" fuel senders, reversing the circuitry. This means that high resistance now indicates low fuel level and low resistance indicates high fuel level. So, if deposit build-up adds to sender resistance, the gauge will err in the direction of indicating less fuel than is actually in the tank.

The "flipping" process began in the 2004 model year and continued through model years 2005-06.

These vehicles will have their fuel level sending units "flipped" for the 2007 model year.

- Cadillac XLR 
- Chevrolet Corvette 
- Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo 
- Chevrolet Malibu 
- Pontiac Grand Prix 
- Buick LaCrosse (Allure)

These vehicles will have their fuel level sending units "flipped" for the 2008 model year.

- Cadillac CTS 
- Cadillac SRX 
- Cadillac STS

TIP: When diagnosing fuel sender operation, it's critical to refer to the appropriate model year information in SI, to be sure which resistance specifications apply.

TIP: GMSPO offers GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS p/n 88861011 (88861012 in Canada) which helps protect fuel sending units from contaminating deposits.

- Thanks to Len Tillard

General Motors supports the servicing and repair of 2006-07 Cadillac DTS professional vehicles (fig. 13). The three professional vehicle models can be identified by the following RPOs:

- B9Q Funeral Coach Package

- V4U Coachbuilder Limousine Package

- W20 DTS Livery Package.

When a professional vehicle is ordered, it comes equipped with dedicated inline connectors that upfitters connect to. Cutting and splicing into the wire harness voids the warranty.

Concerns that are suspected to be caused by upfitter installed electrical components can be isolated by disconnecting the appropriate inline connectors. See the list below. All required service information can be found in SI by selecting Cadillac DTS. Detailed information regarding these harnesses can be found in the Wiring Systems subsection.

If the concern is NOT resolved with the connector disconnected, follow normal diagnostic procedures.

If the concern IS resolved by disconnecting one of these connectors, contact Technical Assistance for further directions.

During the 2007 model year, both old (GMT800) and new (GMT900) style pickups will be built.

Preliminary Information (PI) bulletins will distinguish between old and new styles like this.

The Tech 2 will use this same terminology when "building" a vehicle.

You can also distinguish between old GMT800 and new GMT900 by observing the 12th digit of the VIN. For the 2007 model year, all old style GMT800 pickups will have a "1" and all new style GMT900 pickups will have a "5" in the 12th VIN position.

- Thanks to Jim Will

	Style GMT800 old body style 12th VIN position 1			Style GMT900 new body style 12th VIN position 5
Silverado Classic			Silverado
Sierra Classic			Sierra