ONSTAR
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15
ONSTAR
has anybody heard about some type of a scam that gm is up to? at any givin time they can send a signal to your onboard comp. system to throw a code that you have get you vehicle in to the dealership for repair.I don't suscribe to onstar but its on my 03I noticed evey once in a while the red light on the right side of the mirror turns green.I stopped by the dealer whereI bought my car and inquired about it and salesmansaid when the greeen lights on its monitoring thevehicles vitals.I dissconected my antenna and now it staysred .anybody think somethings rottenhere? what I mean is can they really do something like this, I think they say they can unlock you door , what stops them from pulling something like this?
Super Moderator
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,945
RE: ONSTAR
anyone ?
ORIGINAL: WILLIEA
has anybody heard about some type of a scam that gm is up to? at any givin time they can send a signal to your onboard comp. system to throw a code that you have get you vehicle in to the dealership for repair.I don't suscribe to onstar but its on my 03I noticed evey once in a while the red light on the right side of the mirror turns green.I stopped by the dealer whereI bought my car and inquired about it and salesmansaid when the greeen lights on its monitoring thevehicles vitals.I dissconected my antenna and now it staysred .anybody think somethings rottenhere? what I mean is can they really do something like this, I think they say they can unlock you door , what stops them from pulling something like this?
has anybody heard about some type of a scam that gm is up to? at any givin time they can send a signal to your onboard comp. system to throw a code that you have get you vehicle in to the dealership for repair.I don't suscribe to onstar but its on my 03I noticed evey once in a while the red light on the right side of the mirror turns green.I stopped by the dealer whereI bought my car and inquired about it and salesmansaid when the greeen lights on its monitoring thevehicles vitals.I dissconected my antenna and now it staysred .anybody think somethings rottenhere? what I mean is can they really do something like this, I think they say they can unlock you door , what stops them from pulling something like this?
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 14
From:
RE: ONSTAR
What would the purpose be? A large amount of the onstar equipted cars are under warranty. Setting a false code in the system and generating a service visit would cost them money in warranty service. The local dealer could collect a few bucks for clearing the fault, but I'm sure would rather have their techs working on something more profitable. Even if the car in question is out of warranty it would generate no profit for GM or Onstar, it would just decrease the overall reliability rating costing them in future sales.
On the practical side of the coin, I'm not aware of a way to cause a fault even with the dealership scan tool much less Onstars systems. The dealers scan tool can clear faults, monitor information, and run various test plans to check the system. Onstars system from the infomation I've seen gives them a similar interface. I work on VAG cars so I know our systems much better than GMs. Our systems have function test that let us contol electrical items thru the control modules bypassing switchs (that's how I suspect Onstar can unlock your doors), so I can turn on the lights, wipers, lock unlock doors, ect, ect. There is no way I can generate a fault causing a MIL using the scan tool.
On the practical side of the coin, I'm not aware of a way to cause a fault even with the dealership scan tool much less Onstars systems. The dealers scan tool can clear faults, monitor information, and run various test plans to check the system. Onstars system from the infomation I've seen gives them a similar interface. I work on VAG cars so I know our systems much better than GMs. Our systems have function test that let us contol electrical items thru the control modules bypassing switchs (that's how I suspect Onstar can unlock your doors), so I can turn on the lights, wipers, lock unlock doors, ect, ect. There is no way I can generate a fault causing a MIL using the scan tool.
Super Moderator
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,646
RE: ONSTAR
On my vette I had a free year subscription, I didn't renew because the couldn't perform what they said they would. They could not perform diagnostics or even send me the monthly e-mail. Bottom line, I don't need it but I believe what your talking about is urban myth.
Like drifter said almost all of these cars are still in warranty so it would serve no purpose.
Having said that, if you do hear anything else regarding this please let us know.
Like drifter said almost all of these cars are still in warranty so it would serve no purpose.
Having said that, if you do hear anything else regarding this please let us know.
Super Moderator
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,945
RE: ONSTAR
here is another one i ran into ...
T-Mobile GSM phones CAN unlock your car.
I was skeptical, to say the least, about this ONSTAR rumor, and was about to dismiss it as one more Internet hoax. But I thought I better try it out first. Well, low and behold, it works. I tried it with a Motorola v330 GSM cell phone, and it reliably opens (and relocks) the car.
Can Electronic Locks on Cars Be Opened With A Cell Phone?
The unlock devices don't use tones or sound to lock or unlock your doors. They are radio frequency devices. You've probably read about RF devices being used in stores to track inventory. The device emits a data stream or code to the lock. The RF devices work at a frenquency of 300 mhz and phones operate at 800. So, you'd have to have an RF device at the right frequency to unlock the car or have the exact code number. Onstar keeps the codes in a database - that's how they unlock from afar. Newer RF's have a surprising range and can sometimes work through walls these days.
T-Mobile GSM phones CAN unlock your car.
I was skeptical, to say the least, about this ONSTAR rumor, and was about to dismiss it as one more Internet hoax. But I thought I better try it out first. Well, low and behold, it works. I tried it with a Motorola v330 GSM cell phone, and it reliably opens (and relocks) the car.
Can Electronic Locks on Cars Be Opened With A Cell Phone?
The unlock devices don't use tones or sound to lock or unlock your doors. They are radio frequency devices. You've probably read about RF devices being used in stores to track inventory. The device emits a data stream or code to the lock. The RF devices work at a frenquency of 300 mhz and phones operate at 800. So, you'd have to have an RF device at the right frequency to unlock the car or have the exact code number. Onstar keeps the codes in a database - that's how they unlock from afar. Newer RF's have a surprising range and can sometimes work through walls these days.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18
From:
RE: ONSTAR
Sorry to hear about your distrust / dissatisfaction. I love my OnStar - especially the new version which I just got w/ my 06 DTS. I'm still getting monthly diagnostics via e-mail and am thrilled w/ the new turn-by-turn nav. The weather and traffic advisories have also helped me avoid several unpleasant road situations during my travels.
I think that they have improved greatly since your experience.
I think that they have improved greatly since your experience.
Super Moderator
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,945
RE: ONSTAR
i dont have any such devices.
being a global traveler for decades, i'm accustomed to the old paper maps and cell phones.
when i have locked my keys in the car, AAA comes along and takes care of it,
dont think ONSTAR can fix a flat, AAA can.
not sure the ONSTAR would work in 80% of my travels or 99% of my needs.
not sure i would want to be tracked ever. look at my screen name, there is a logical
reason for that name. its bad enough that my IP can be tracked.
i been considering a GPS, but dont even have that.
i find it rewarding to stop and talk to the local nationals and get directions.
i have even been known to pay a TAXI, where he drives and i follow the taxi ...
old-fashion?
bottom line, i can take a couple of these $40 to $60 / mo payments like that, invest in
my kid's future, and have the cash for college instead. after all, how often does one NEED
the service?
.
being a global traveler for decades, i'm accustomed to the old paper maps and cell phones.
when i have locked my keys in the car, AAA comes along and takes care of it,
dont think ONSTAR can fix a flat, AAA can.
not sure the ONSTAR would work in 80% of my travels or 99% of my needs.
not sure i would want to be tracked ever. look at my screen name, there is a logical
reason for that name. its bad enough that my IP can be tracked.
i been considering a GPS, but dont even have that.
i find it rewarding to stop and talk to the local nationals and get directions.
i have even been known to pay a TAXI, where he drives and i follow the taxi ...
old-fashion?
bottom line, i can take a couple of these $40 to $60 / mo payments like that, invest in
my kid's future, and have the cash for college instead. after all, how often does one NEED
the service?
.
Super Moderator
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,646
RE: ONSTAR
ORIGINAL: rgbjrbob
Sorry to hear about your distrust / dissatisfaction. I love my OnStar - especially the new version which I just got w/ my 06 DTS. I'm still getting monthly diagnostics via e-mail and am thrilled w/ the new turn-by-turn nav. The weather and traffic advisories have also helped me avoid several unpleasant road situations during my travels.
I think that they have improved greatly since your experience.
Sorry to hear about your distrust / dissatisfaction. I love my OnStar - especially the new version which I just got w/ my 06 DTS. I'm still getting monthly diagnostics via e-mail and am thrilled w/ the new turn-by-turn nav. The weather and traffic advisories have also helped me avoid several unpleasant road situations during my travels.
I think that they have improved greatly since your experience.
In any case good luck with your new dts (great car) and happy motoring.
G.A.R.Y.
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