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Adding MyLink and OnStar 4G LTE to a 2009 Impala

6321 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  chad47, 
Z
There are a couple videos on YouTube showing an infotainment system from a 2013-2017 Lambda car(Traverse/Acadia/Enclave) working in an 8th gen Impala. My plan is to take this one step further. I've purchased a navigation radio from a 2017 Traverse Premier, as well as the OnStar module.

From what I have gathered, the OnStar module from the Traverse is electrically identical to the existing one in my Impala. With the Traverse's OnStar module, I can get mobile hotspot capability in my Impala, as well as other features rolled into OnStar Generation 10.

Another added benefit is that those with older vehicles who use OnStar won't be left in the dark when Verizon inevitably shuts down their CDMA network.

Once I receive all the parts, I will post pictures here.
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Z
Update: VCIM Swap Complete!

There is one modification that needs to be done to the Generation 10 module in order for it to be plug and play. There is no programming needed to install a Generation 10 VCIM in these vehicles.

You will need to get a VCIM from a 2016-2017 Traverse, 2016 Acadia, or a 2016-2017 Enclave. Other Gen. 10 VCIMs communicate on GM's "Global A" electrical system and will not communicate with the vehicle.

- For people upgrading from a Gen. 7 or Gen. 8 VCIM(2006-2010), you will need to modify the GPS antenna connector. You will need to bust the "key" off the connector on the OnStar box, or on the GPS antenna itself.

- If you're upgrading from a Generation 9 OnStar Module (2011-2013, 2014-2016 Limited), you will need to get a splitter and cables to connect to your antenna(GM p/n 20960972). I am not sure what the part numbers for the cables are, but I'm sure they can be found online.

Everything works, but there are some side effects.
- Onstar will think your car is whatever the vehicle your VCIM came out of.
- Oil Life will be inaccurate on the RemoteLink app on 2006-2011 vehicles.
- Fuel range might also be inaccurate in the RemoteLink App.
- No Bluetooth handsfree functionality - on the Traverse/Enclave/Acadia, this is handled by the radio, not the VCIM.


Here's a demonstration of the Wi-Fi Hotspot working in the Impala.
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Z
Here's some pictures of the MyLink Radio with Navigation. The radio is plug and play, but you will need a Tech 2 with firmware version 30.004 or older to disarm the stupid TheftLock. Unlike the older Denso/Delphi navigation systems that you would find in GMT900 trucks, this radio does not require a dedicated VSS signal, as it reads the vehicle speed from GMLAN.

There is one caveat, there is a gap between the radio bezel and the radio itself. If the gap bothers you, you can get a MyLink radio from a 2017+ Chevrolet Express van, as the radio faceplate will fit into the opening.


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WickedGoat
Good work! Someone posted a long while ago with an Intellilink install into an 8th gen, but not with this kind of detail and level. I wonder if the OnStar module can be programmed to the receiving vehicle's VIN and other pertinent info. This is a great upgrade if you can get the stereo cheap. I would do it but I like how my Rosen has the hookups for my amps and RCA cables on it.
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rbehr56241
zaharren said:
Update: VCIM Swap Complete!

There is one modification that needs to be done to the Generation 10 module in order for it to be plug and play. There is no programming needed to install a Generation 10 VCIM in these vehicles.

You will need to get a VCIM from a 2016-2017 Traverse, 2016 Acadia, or a 2016-2017 Enclave. Other Gen. 10 VCIMs communicate on GM's "Global A" electrical system and will not communicate with the vehicle.

- For people upgrading from a Gen. 7 or Gen. 8 VCIM(2006-2010), you will need to modify the GPS antenna connector. You will need to bust the "key" off the connector on the OnStar box, or on the GPS antenna itself.

- If you're upgrading from a Generation 9 OnStar Module (2011-2013, 2014-2016 Limited), you will need to get a splitter and cables to connect to your antenna(GM p/n 20960972). I am not sure what the part numbers for the cables are, but I'm sure they can be found online.

Everything works, but there are some side effects.
  • Onstar will think your car is whatever the vehicle your VCIM came out of.
  • Oil Life will be inaccurate on the RemoteLink app on 2006-2011 vehicles.
  • Fuel range might also be inaccurate in the RemoteLink App.
  • No Bluetooth handsfree functionality - on the Traverse/Enclave/Acadia, this is handled by the radio, not the VCIM.


Here's a demonstration of the Wi-Fi Hotspot working in the Impala.
Click to expand...
Impressive! What is the "key" you mentioned you had to break off. Was that in the connector itself? Does this now give you 4G connectivity so you don't lose your OnStar when 2G sunsets?
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Z
rbehr56241 said:
Impressive! What is the "key" you mentioned you had to break off. Was that in the connector itself? Does this now give you 4G connectivity so you don't lose your OnStar when 2G sunsets?
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There is a FAKRA style connector that has a metal tab on it. In order for the antenna connection to plug in, the tab needs to be broken off.

Because the OnStar Generation 10 VCIMs communicate on the AT&T 4G LTE network, this means that OnStar will keep on working when the 2G/3G sunset happens. The only side effect, as stated above is that OnStar will think your Impala is a Traverse/Acadia/Enclave. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any ways to make the VCIM show up as an Impala, so don't rely on OnStar if you get into an accident.
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H
zaharren said:
Because the OnStar Generation 10 VCIMs communicate on the AT&T 4G LTE network, this means that OnStar will keep on working when the 2G/3G sunset happens. The only side effect, as stated above is that OnStar will think your Impala is a Traverse/Acadia/Enclave.
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Why didn't you use a module from a later model Impala?
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Z
hamptonbeach said:
Why didn't you use a module from a later model Impala?
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I actually tried this and it didn’t work. While a VCIM from a later model Impala looks identical to the Enclave/Traverse/Acadia ones, they use a different protocol to communicate with the other modules in the car.
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chad47
"There is one modification that needs to be done to the Generation 10 module in order for it to be plug and play. There is no programming needed to install a Generation 10 VCIM in these vehicles." what was that one thing that needed to be done? or was modifying the antenna the modification you mentioned?
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Z
chad47 said:
"There is one modification that needs to be done to the Generation 10 module in order for it to be plug and play. There is no programming needed to install a Generation 10 VCIM in these vehicles." what was that one thing that needed to be done? or was modifying the antenna the modification you mentioned?
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I just had to modify the antenna connector on the VCIM.
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chad47
Yeah I figured that out after I installed a new vcim in my 07 Suburban. I'm in the process now of trying to get the new my link radio unlocked with a tech 2.
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MyNewUsed09ImpalaLTZ
chad47 said:
Yeah I figured that out after I installed a new vcim in my 07 Suburban. I'm in the process now of trying to get the new my link radio unlocked with a tech 2.
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When I updated the radio in my 09 Impala LTZ this past summer, the local GM dealer would not unlock the MyLink radio. I ended up shipping it to an eBay business located in Colorado that unlocks radios. Have you gotten your radio unlocked yet?

This is a video from when I changed out the radio. I did not connect the MyLink radio to the OnStar module in the trunk yet, so I currently use the OnStar Bluetooth for hands-free calling. Right now if I try to use the radio for calls, I can hear the caller but they cannot hear me. I am using the MyLink for streaming music at this point.
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user unknown
It’s not hard to unlock them. I’ll do it for a six pack of beer if you pay R/T shipping.
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chad47
MyNewUsed09ImpalaLTZ said:
When I updated the radio in my 09 Impala LTZ this past summer, the local GM dealer would not unlock the MyLink radio. I ended up shipping it to an eBay business located in Colorado that unlocks radios. Have you gotten your radio unlocked yet? This is a video from when I changed out the radio. I did not connect the MyLink radio to the OnStar module in the trunk yet, so I currently use the OnStar Bluetooth for hands-free calling. Right now if I try to use the radio for calls, I can hear the caller but they cannot hear me. I am using the MyLink for streaming music at this point.
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if you’re willing to could you send me an email I have a few questions maybe you could answer for me.
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