OnStar Equipped Cadillacs Losing Service (Analog)

[Greg Powers]

I know that many of our members drive newer model Cadillacs on a daily basis, saving the classics for shows, celebrations and special clear weekends.  I am one of those members and own a 2001 Cadillac Deville DTS equipped with the OnStar system.  Recently I received a letter informing me that my OnStar system was an analog system and would cease to function in early 2008.  When I inquired about purchasing an upgrade, I was informed that none was planned and I should just buy a new GM car or truck.  My Cadillac has only 60,000 miles on it and I have no intentions of trading the vehicle. If any of the rest of you are in the same situation, I would encourage you to go to www.OnStarclassaction.com and register your information.  If your have any other suggestions I would love to hear from you.

[Johnny F #662]

Interesting situation.  Seems like another result of fast and better technology, much like the dilemma facing people when HDTV is the standard.  Although Onstar is a fantastic system, I feel as though most people really don't need it, and could substitute the main services provided by Onstar, with a cell phone and GPS system.

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

According to GM, I guess that everything is disposable, even a 2001 Cadillac.

Fred

[Greg Powers]

My DTS is equipped with a navigation system, but the problem beyond just the OnStar is that the hands-free cellular service is also rendered useless.  I am a firm believer in limiting distractions while driving with all the "crazies" on the road.

[Johnny F #662]

My DTS is equipped with a navigation system, but the problem beyond just the OnStar is that the hands-free cellular service is also rendered useless.  I am a firm believer in limiting distractions while driving with all the "crazies" on the road.

Greg,

I couldn't agree with you more  There are "hands free" phone kits available so a driver won't be distracted.

[Lars Kneller 8246]

I am in the same boat with my 2002 Avalanche.  When I called them, I got the same response, "maybe it's time to trade". My truck has 35000 miles on it and many good miles ahead.  I did have my 2005 CTS upgraded with a digital system, but I think anything older cannot be upgraded.  I do agree I find the hands free calling very convenient.

[Wayne Womble 12210]

Now yall will have to join the rest of us.  My `31 and `33  have the UNDER STAR  system.  Yep, anywhere under the stars, you are on your own.   

[Richard Sills - CLC #936]

For what it's worth, I was able to have the system upgraded on my 2003 GMC Denali.  The cost was nominal so long as I renewed my On-Star contract, which I did.  After reading Lars' post, it appears that 2003 may be the oldest system that is capable of being upgraded.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Now yall will have to join the rest of us.  My `31 and `33  have the UNDER STAR  system.  Yep, anywhere under the stars, you are on your own.      

On'ya Wayne.

That is the system I use and it works well.

Not real expensive either.

Bruce.

[Big Fins]

For those of you not fully aware of the reasons for the lack of upgrade.

For the in-car system I'm not sure, as I've never had one. But, they are doing away entirely with analog communications. On-Star uses GPS technology, along with voice capable communications. This is all uplinked from a ground transmitter to an orbiting satellite, then relayed to you automobile. Each satellite has a capability of 24 transponders under C-Band in the analog mode. Therefore you can only obtain 24 channels out of the bird (satellite). Ku-band cannot be used for this purpose, due to it's weaker power capabilities, and ability to track moving targets such as cars and trucks.

Now turn each one of these transponders into a digital format, and depending on the compression of the signal, the amount of available bandwidth is almost endless. Just like you mini TV satellite dish. It is all digital and they pack in hundreds of channels on each transponder. The same reason all your TV stations are going digital. Not necessarily HD, but all to be digital by 2009.

Transponder time is rated to be approx $24-30,000 per day to maintain. If a company can buy into just one transponder, and broadcast upwards of 300 channels in a digital format, over one in analog for that same $30K, which way would you spend your companies money as a CFO?

To get more technical I would need a geek. I only know what I have learned from operating a 12' satellite dish at home, and from the techno-geeks on the satellite forums I'm a member of.

5000+ channels is wonderful thing. But my '59 Cadillac fascinates me more than any TV ever could!!

Fins

[Johnny F #662]

The way I see it, this is just another inconvenience to car buying public as a result of technology making things better.  Just add this to the list which already includes:

-eliminating R-12 for R-134 in A/C systems.

-eliminating leaded gas completely

-laws requiring the use of seat belts, resulting in cars having to have seat reminder systems

-introduction of catalytic convertors

[homeonprunehill]

I know that many of our members drive newer model Cadillacs on a daily basis, saving the classics for shows, celebrations and special clear weekends.  I am one of those members and own a 2001 Cadillac Deville DTS equipped with the OnStar system.  Recently I received a letter informing me that my OnStar system was an analog system and would cease to function in early 2008.  When I inquired about purchasing an upgrade, I was informed that none was planned and I should just buy a new GM car or truck.  My Cadillac has only 60,000 miles on it and I have no intentions of trading the vehicle. If any of the rest of you are in the same situation, I would encourage you to go to www.OnStarclassaction.com and register your information.  If your have any other suggestions I would love to hear from you.
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12-2-07
Greg P
My wife just treadewd-in her '03 MB because the the compancy that running the SOS system ands the TELE-ALERT system ( similar to the "On-Star) wanted $1,500 for a new unit to up-grade the system  Plus what the loical dealer would charge to do the up-grade. The MB has a toll-free phone numbers thru-out the car. With the toll free number and a "cell" phone, do your own calling, sure beats about $240 per year just to hear a ladies voice tell you that you have made a wrong-turn.
Good Luck,JIM

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The MB has a toll-free phone numbers thru-out the car. With the toll free number and a "cell" phone, do your own calling, Good Luck,JIM

So, you mean to tell us that there are phone numbers written all over the car?

Would that then make it a "Two-tone" Colour Scheme, or "Digital-tone Colour?

But, I have seen lots of vehicles with Phone Numbers written on the doors and the like, but they usually are driven by Business People, and advertising their own businesses.

Bruce. 

PS.   Were the phone numbers written on the headlining, in case of a roll-over?

[Davidinhartford]

Obsolete OnStar eh?

That sucks especially if the car is young enough to be under warranty still.     We are all used to our older stuff becoming obsolete, but not that soon!

Onstar will just be another non-working feature on future showcars.  Just like a defunct 8-track tape player.     

[Johnny F #662]

Onstar will just be another non-working feature on future showcars.  Just like a defunct 8-track tape player.     

That's assuming the hobby enjoys the popularity it does now.  I basically don't think it will.  I just can't see that in the year 2041, someone running out to restore a 2001 Cadillac DeVille DTS, like they would now with a 1967 Cadillac DeVille.

[Mark]

Onstar will just be another non-working feature on future showcars.  Just like a defunct 8-track tape player.     

But at least my 8-track players still work.  It's just harder to locate tapes to play in them. 
"New" music isn't an issue as I prefer the older tunes anyhow.

[homeonprunehill]

The MB has a toll-free phone numbers thru-out the car. With the toll free number and a "cell" phone, do your own calling, Good Luck,JIM

So, you mean to tell us that there are phone numbers written all over the car?

Would that then make it a "Two-tone" Colour Scheme, or "Digital-tone Colour?

But, I have seen lots of vehicles with Phone Numbers written on the doors and the like, but they usually are driven by Business People, and advertising their own businesses

12-30-07
Bruce, I was in a hurry and didn't word my reply just right, But, there are phone numbers on the SunVisor and in the owners manual plus,one has the option of calling the "toll free" operator (24/7)  for a toll-free phone number from the MB home office in NJ












Bruce. 

PS.   Were the phone numbers written on the headlining, in case of a roll-over?

[Johnny F #662]

Onstar will just be another non-working feature on future showcars.  Just like a defunct 8-track tape player.     

But at least my 8-track players still work.  It's just harder to locate tapes to play in them. 
"New" music isn't an issue as I prefer the older tunes anyhow.

8 tracks?  No problem, ebay has over a 1,000 listed.

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

Last spring I traded in my HHR, which had Onstar and CD player.  Great car, low mileage and owned by a senior citizen (me).  The only thing I forgot to remove was the CD from the CD player. 

The dealer could hardly wait to get the car, as had someone who wanted a car that had low mileage and was babied by a senior citizen.  I wonder what the new owner thought about the low-mileage senior citizen car when he found the "Rolling Stones" CD in the player?

At least the Onstar still worked.

Fred

[Johnny F #662]

Last spring I traded in my HHR, which had Onstar and CD player.  Great car, low mileage and owned by a senior citizen (me).  The only thing I forgot to remove was the CD from the CD player. 

The dealer could hardly wait to get the car, as had someone who wanted a car that had low mileage and was babied by a senior citizen.  I wonder what the new owner thought about the low-mileage senior citizen car when he found the "Rolling Stones" CD in the player?

At least the Onstar still worked.

Fred

Hey the Stones are senior ciizens themselves.......