For 1990-2009 cars

### System Description

This symptom table will enable the user to verify the customer complaint and narrow it to its source. If there is a concern with voice recognition or OnStar® steering wheel control function, technicians should proceed directly to the applicable diagnostic in Symptoms - Cellular Communication .

Important: To successfully diagnose and repair the OnStar® system it is necessary to comprehend its operation. Technicians should read and understand the OnStar Description and Operation before attempting to repair an OnStar® system.

### Diagnostic Aids

• | The customer concern may have been due to a lack of cellular service in a given area or a failure in the National Cellular Network infrastructure that has since been corrected.

• | If the prompt OnStar request ended is heard without pressing the white dot button at the end of an OnStar® keypress, the OnStar® system at one time has made a successful cellular connection, but was unable to complete the call. If repeated calls are placed with this result, contact the General Motors Technical Assistance Center.

• | Inaccurate or aged global positioning system (GPS) position may have been due to the temporary loss of GPS signal reception by the vehicle in instances such as driving through tunnels or parking structures which restrict the navigation antenna from a clear view of the satellites in the sky.

Step | Action | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Diagnostic System Check - Cellular Communication
2 |

1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
2. Observe the OnStar® status LED.

Does the LED turn GREEN?

Go to Step 3

Go to OnStar Button LED Inoperative

3 |

1. Turn the radio ON.
2. Set volume to a comfortable level.
3. Press the OnStar® Call Center button.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds then end the call by pressing the white dot button.

Does both the OnStar® LED blink after the OnStar® keypress is made and the call ended after pressing the white dot button?

Go to Step 4

Go to OnStar One or More Buttons Inoperative

4 | After the OnStar® keypress, does both the radio mute and is the Connecting to OnStar message heard playing through the audio system? | Go to Step 5 | Go to No (or Noisy) OnStar Audio
5 | Important: It is important to have the vehicle in an open outside area where a cellular call can be successfully placed and Global Positioning System (GPS) data can be received from satellites.

1. Press the OnStar® Call Center button.
2. Wait for the system to either connect or end the call.

Is a connection made with OnStar®?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 9

6 | Important: It is necessary to inform the OnStar® Call Center advisor that this call is for vehicle diagnostic purposes. Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor if your voice can clearly be heard. Does the advisor clearly hear your voice? | Go to Step 7 | Go to OnStar Microphone Inoperative - Caller Cannot Be Heard
7 | Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor if they have received any data from the customer vehicle. Did data transfer of the OnStar® call occur? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 11
8 | Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor if the vehicle has ever been configured. Has the vehicle been configured? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 16
9 | Is the audio prompt Unable to Contact OnStar® heard? | Go to Unable to Contact OnStar Call Center | Go to Step 12
10 | Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor to verify the vehicle identification number (VIN) which they have on record and ensure it matches the actual VIN. Does the VIN number at the OnStar® Call Center match the VIN of the vehicle? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 15
11 | Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor if this call was a fail to voice. Was this call a fail to voice? | Use the scan tool to access the STID and ESN and contact the General Motors Technical Assistance Center | --
12 | Is the audio prompt OnStar® request ended heard? | Go to Diagnostic Aids | --
13 | Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor to verify your position. Is the location provided by the OnStar® Call Center advisor within a reasonable distance from the actual location of the vehicle? | Go to Step 14 | Go to OnStar Global Positioning System (GPS) Data Not Current or Inaccurate
14 | Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor if the GPS position is marked as Current. Is the GPS position current? | Go to Step 17 | Go to OnStar Global Positioning System (GPS) Data Not Current or Inaccurate
15 | Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor to update the customer account with the correct information. Has the customer account been updated? | Go to Step 16 | --
16 | Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor to perform a reconfiguration on the vehicle. Was the reconfiguration successful? | Go to Step 18 | Ask the OnStar® Call Center advisor why the reconfiguration was not successful, use the scan tool to access the STID and ESN and contact the General Motors Technical Assistance Center
17 | Is the customer concern with the inability of the OnStar® Call Center to perform the remote functions? | Go to OnStar Call Center Remote Function Requests Inoperative | Go to Diagnostic Aids
18 | Operate the system in order to verify the customer concern has been corrected. Has the customer concern been corrected? | System OK | Go to Step 2