Question: Black Box on Windshield

[twiget]

So I'm wondering what the black box on the windshield, just to the right of the rear view mirror is. My best guess is the Onstar antenna, or perhaps XM? Any thoughts?

Jason

 

[Patrick]

So I'm wondering what the black box on the windshield, just to the right of the rear view mirror is. My best guess is the Onstar antenna, or perhaps XM? Any thoughts?

Jason

Does your '08 come equipped with a Sat-Nav system?

-Patrick

 

[twiget]

Does your '08 come equipped with a Sat-Nav system?

-Patrick

Nope, no nav system. Both of the C6's I test drove yesterday had the same black box, and neither had a nav system. I asked the sales guy and he gave me some non-answer.

Jason

 

[Patrick]

Nope, no nav system. Both of the C6's I test drove yesterday had the same black box, and neither had a nav system. I asked the sales guy and he gave me some non-answer.

Jason

In that case, I'd guess it's the On-Star. Normally, the On-Star takes the form of a short antenna mounted on the roof just above the windshield, and I suspect that "appendage" would have be seen by potential Corvette owners as marring the appearance of their ride. This may explain why it took a few years for On-Star to be introduced into the Corvette.

By the way- nice new avatar!

-Patrick

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

That black box is indeed the Onstar unit. From what I gather it is nearly impossible to remove totally. It does not contain the GPS receiver for the factory nav system. I am not sure where that receiver is. The XM radio antenna is in the wart for 2005 and in the outside rear-view mirrors for 2006 and later.

 

[jbeidl]

The black box is the OnStar phone and GPS antenna. The actual OnStar receiver is located in the trunk area under the carpet.

The NAV cars have GPS in the radio with the antenna mounted in the dash under the left HVAC outlet just above the NAV.

Enjoy your new toy!

Save The Wave,
John

 

[twiget]

The black box is the OnStar phone and GPS antenna. The actual OnStar receiver is located in the trunk area under the carpet.

The NAV cars have GPS in the radio with the antenna mounted in the dash under the left HVAC outlet just above the NAV.

Enjoy your new toy!

Save The Wave,
John

Thanks for the info John.

Jason

 

[jrose7004]

My cousin has nav, XM and OnStar on his 08 coupe and he says it's for all of that.

 

[danl72]

Yes, I was told it is for onstar and not the nav. That is why all of the C6's have it. The XM antenna was moved to the outside mirrors.

 

[Patrick]

Yes, I was told it is for onstar and not the nav. That is why all of the C6's have it. The XM antenna was moved to the outside mirrors.

Not all C6's. I don't think Onstar was offered in the Corvette prior to 2007. I know my 2006 doesn't have it, and doesn't have the black box.

-Patrick

 

[danl72]

Not all C6's. I don't think Onstar was offered in the Corvette prior to 2007. I know my 2006 doesn't have it, and doesn't have the black box.

-Patrick

I could be wrong, not the first time; my buddy has it on his '05 C6. Onstar was optional before '08 when GM made it standard equipment. He also has the antenna for XM on the roof. The only year they did that.

 

[Patrick]

I could be wrong, not the first time; my buddy has it on his '05 C6. Onstar was optional before '08 when GM made it standard equipment. He also has the antenna for XM on the roof. The only year they did that.

Danl72,
You are right, and I stand corrected. Should have checked the CAC's Model Center before I chimed in. THIS PAGE shows that On-Star was a $696 option on 2005's (RPO 'UE1'). Roughly 52% of all Corvette's produced in 2005 came with Onstar.


-Patrick

 

[danl72]

Danl72,
You are right, and I stand corrected. Should have checked the CAC's Model Center before I chimed in. THIS PAGE shows that On-Star was a $696 option on 2005's (RPO 'UE1'). Roughly 52% of all Corvette's produced in 2005 came with Onstar.


-Patrick

Wow, I was actually right. First time for everything.

 

[jbeidl]

The 05's through 07's had the OnStar antenna mounted behind the right hand windshield garnish moulding (near where the 08 is located). I don't know why they moved it, maybe it was cheaper since in 08 it is on all Corvettes. The only option I did not order on my 07 was OnStar.

Save The Wave,
John

 

[twiget]

The only option I did not order on my 07 was OnStar.
John

I'm still wondering why anyone would pay for Onstar? I personally do not find that it is a value added option. To each his own I guess.

It dosent look like removing the box is a feasible option. Perhaps I'll remove the Onstar reciever instead. I tried to tell the sales guy that I did not want the Onstar turned on, but he said it was required. I dont get that, but oh well. I lucked out though, when he tried to activate the service, Onstar could not find the activation information, even though the sales guy had input the info on the web over an hour earlier. So in the end, I didnt have Onstar turned on.

Jason

 

[jbeidl]

The OnStar unit (VCIM) is located under the carpet in the trunk. If you completely remove the unit, the car will not start. The GMLAN loops through the VCIM. You could completely remove it and add 2 jumpers at connector C4, however the best solution is to leave the VCIM in place and leave C4 connected. Unplug the other 3 cables and the car will start fine and OnStar will not function. I don't believe that any codes will be thrown because of the OnStar disable.

There is a very long post titled "On Star deletion" in other forums

*Links deleted

This post has a picture of the VCIM with the three cables removed and cable C4 (connects to J4) still in place.

Save The Wave,
John

 

[*89x2*]

The OnStar unit (VCIM) is located under the carpet in the trunk. If you completely remove the unit, the car will not start. The GMLAN loops through the VCIM. You could completely remove it and add 2 jumpers at connector C4, however the best solution is to leave the VCIM in place and leave C4 connected. Unplug the other 3 cables and the car will start fine and OnStar will not function. I don't believe that any codes will be thrown because of the OnStar disable.

There is a very long post titled "On Star deletion" in other forums

*Links deleted

This post has a picture of the VCIM with the three cables removed and cable C4 (connects to J4) still in place.

Save The Wave,
John

I agree with what you say about the OnStar, but did remove the links to other websites as that is against the CAC terms of service.

Your post makes sense to me, as the signal is sent through the various systems and controls. Thanks for explaining it all

 

[twiget]

The OnStar unit (VCIM) is located under the carpet in the trunk. If you completely remove the unit, the car will not start. The GMLAN loops through the VCIM. You could completely remove it and add 2 jumpers at connector C4, however the best solution is to leave the VCIM in place and leave C4 connected. Unplug the other 3 cables and the car will start fine and OnStar will not function. I don't believe that any codes will be thrown because of the OnStar disable.

There is a very long post titled "On Star deletion" in other forums

*Links deleted

This post has a picture of the VCIM with the three cables removed and cable C4 (connects to J4) still in place.

Save The Wave,
John

John,

Thanks for the info. Perhaps you could PM me with the link?

Jason

 

[jbeidl]

I agree with what you say about the OnStar, but did remove the links to other websites as that is against the CAC terms of service.

Sorry about the links, I did not know that links were not allowed.

Save The Wave,
John

 

[jbeidl]

John,

Thanks for the info. Perhaps you could PM me with the link?

Jason

PM Sent.

Save The Wave,
John