Black2003SS Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 OnStar going silent on millions of vehicles Caitlin Kollar Chris Tye Created: 2/23/2007 2:10:28 AM Updated:2/23/2007 10:31:12 AM CLEVELAND -- It's become one of the most popular features in 21st century cars. But starting next year, when you hit the OnStar button there's a good chance no one will answer you. A smart and simple service offering directions, diagnostics and disaster assistance is about to get a little more complicated. Since OnStar began, when a customer hits the button, an analog signal leaves the vehicle to retrieve information. As of next January, if you're OnStar is analog it will totally stop working. Next year, the FCC will no longer require wireless networks to carry analog signals, so it's going away and OnStar will only work if it is digital. Letters have been mailed to all affected customers, telling them that their analog only signal leaves them with a system that will not operate past December 31, 2007. "Unfortunately, people will have to purchase a digital kit and we'll be able to bring them up to date with their system," says Warren McCaskey of Central Cadillac. Here's how you can tell if you're affected: If your car was made in model years '96 through 2004 your service will end this year. Only cars made from '02 through '04 can be upgraded. Upgrades cost between $299 and $579, and that includes service. Cars from 2006 through the present won't need upgrades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perk03z06 Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 Wow. Bummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonj87 Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 if we get an upgrade, will it then work with the "my onstar" and let me schedule vehicle checks? that doesnt work with 2003 models Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onyx_ss Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 So us 05'ers and up are in the clear Onyx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black2003SS Posted February 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 The article doesnt mention 2005 vehicles. It says 2006+ are good, which doesnt imply 2005's are good, but it contraricts itself saying 1999-2004's will no longer work, also failing to mention 2005's. I would call onstar and just ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wody Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 The article doesnt mention 2005 vehicles. It says 2006+ are good, which doesnt imply 2005's are good, but it contraricts itself saying 1999-2004's will no longer work, also failing to mention 2005's. I would call onstar and just ask. i was wondering the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonm Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 The article doesnt mention 2005 vehicles. It says 2006+ are good, which doesnt imply 2005's are good, but it contraricts itself saying 1999-2004's will no longer work, also failing to mention 2005's. I would call onstar and just ask. i was wondering the same thing. I called them. Some 2005 are digital already, some aren't. I thought about doing the digital upgrade, so I could add the on-star line to my existing cell phone account. If I were to upgrade to the digital, I could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolBlueSS Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 The article doesnt mention 2005 vehicles. It says 2006+ are good, which doesnt imply 2005's are good, but it contraricts itself saying 1999-2004's will no longer work, also failing to mention 2005's. I would call onstar and just ask. i was wondering the same thing. I called them. Some 2005 are digital already, some aren't. I thought about doing the digital upgrade, so I could add the on-star line to my existing cell phone account. If I were to upgrade to the digital, I could. That would be sweet. Mine is equipped with OnStar, but I'm not subscribed. If the upgrade could be tied to a cell phone I might consider it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixxerrider Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 at what cost for the upgrade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissfans03ss Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 that there is b.s.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onyx_ss Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 How do we tell if its analog or digital? Onyx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoreySS Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 at what cost for the upgrade? The cost is in the original post! -K- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
air force vm Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 Theres a reason that I got an 06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakesvho Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 just hit my blue button and asked, and she said I was ok 05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman31 Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 that there is b.s.. It is not BS, the analog networks are being shut down because of something called the Sunset Clause, the FCC is requiring that all analog radio networks be shut down by February 2008. They are supposed to be converting to a GSM style digital network, like Cingular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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