So I have become a bit weary of the entire Onstar paradigm and am hoping someone might have some knowledge as to how to rid myself of the worry. I just bought a used 2006 Solstice and am flying out to get it this Saturday --- very excited --- after having test drove several, I really settled on that car as the one I wanted. However, I did some moderate amount of research into the mandatory Onstar hardware that every one of GM's cars come with and that has become the primary worry in my decision to purchase.
First to explain --- you could say that I am a rather stereotypical 'red-blooded' american who sees individual responsibility and rights as fundamental to freedom. The idea that some entity has control over whether or not your car physically starts is incredibly troubling to me and inherently runs counter to many of my core beliefs. I know....I know.....not a feature on the '06 Onstar and only used in times of emergency and neccesity. That's not the point. The fact that someone out of your control has complete say as to your car actually starting is just flatly unacceptable. This goes for doors unlocking / locking ---- and especially, especially GPS locating. Even if you are not "signed up", they still retain the hardware to accomplish any of these things.
Therefore, I ask, with the hope that this information can become extremely easy to find, what is the best way to remove the Onstar hardware from a Solstice? I have read a few threads and found some intel on middle console, integration, antennae removal, etc. Does anyone have bulletproof knowledge of how this can be successfully accomplished? Can it be successfully accomplished? Has anyone done it? Thanks to all
However, I did some moderate amount of research into the mandatory Onstar hardware that every one of GM's cars come with and that has become the primary worry in my decision to purchase.
Are you sure your '06 has OnStar? My 2007 does not have OnStar. It was an option on the prior models, but I believe comes standard on all 2009 models.
Location: Under an invisibility cloak, somewhere in the Northeast
All I can add is I hope you are better at picking out used cars than you are doing "moderate research".
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INFORMATION POSTED ON SITE
Any GM Solstice Service Manual and Service Bulletin information found here on site, or Sales and Product information should be thought of as correct and accurate as of the date posted. After that any information or procedure should be confirmed as still correct with your dealership.
The brochure for 2008 Solstice says that you get one year of free service as Standard, thus meaning that the hardware is also standard. Not 100% sure about '06 and '07 ---- I would guess yes for the hardware, with the onstar service as the 'optional' part. Anyone else know?
As for the previous comment by 'Small Dealer', I do hope that Solstice owners aren't quite as immediately harsh and disrespectful to new owners as that guy implies. Sure isn't the way one would want to be welcomed in Just the thoughts of a newbie....
The brochure for 2008 Solstice says that you get one year of free service as Standard, thus meaning that the hardware is also standard. Not 100% sure about '06 and '07 ---- I would guess yes for the hardware, with the onstar service as the 'optional' part. Anyone else know?
OnStar was not standard on 2008 Solstices. You can go to the Pontiac site and select build your own Solstice. OnStar is shown as available for each model (Solstice and GXP) not standard. One year of service is standard only if you order OnStar. Model year 2006 and 2007 required OnStar to be ordered as well and were not standard equipped with it. My 2007 does not have OnStar and none of the equipment is on my Solstice.
So I have become a bit weary of the entire Onstar paradigm and am hoping someone might have some knowledge as to how to rid myself of the worry. I just bought a used 2006 Solstice and am flying out to get it this Saturday --- very excited --- after having test drove several, I really settled on that car as the one I wanted. However, I did some moderate amount of research into the mandatory Onstar hardware that every one of GM's cars come with and that has become the primary worry in my decision to purchase.
First to explain --- you could say that I am a rather stereotypical 'red-blooded' american who sees individual responsibility and rights as fundamental to freedom. The idea that some entity has control over whether or not your car physically starts is incredibly troubling to me and inherently runs counter to many of my core beliefs. I know....I know.....not a feature on the '06 Onstar and only used in times of emergency and neccesity. That's not the point. The fact that someone out of your control has complete say as to your car actually starting is just flatly unacceptable. This goes for doors unlocking / locking ---- and especially, especially GPS locating. Even if you are not "signed up", they still retain the hardware to accomplish any of these things.
Therefore, I ask, with the hope that this information can become extremely easy to find, what is the best way to remove the Onstar hardware from a Solstice? I have read a few threads and found some intel on middle console, integration, antennae removal, etc. Does anyone have bulletproof knowledge of how this can be successfully accomplished? Can it be successfully accomplished? Has anyone done it? Thanks to all
first check to see if the ole shark fin antenna is on the rear clamshell....if not.....then you are free.....again....w/o the antenna....nothing can be done..onstar didnt make until very late in the model year for 06........not sure why the paranoid outlook to onstar...but a personal decision of course.....if you have the antenna...removal of an integrated system may be difficult.......there is a separate OnStar Module...that can be removed I beleive..but I am unsure of the location....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pontiac builds excitement... Saturn has rethought it's image...
The time has come for the enthusiasts... NASSOA(TM)
Founding Member-Vendor and Marketing Coordinator ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
congrats on getting the new car,and enjoy the ride home.Make sure you keep an eye in the rear view mirror,and also keep the top down so you can see if the black helicopters are following
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If you gotta ask "how much?" You cant afford it.
I love conspiracy theorists. The same people who claim our government is utterly incompetant also are scared to death of being "tracked" by the same utterly incompetant government.
Our government can't prevent levees from failing or bridges from collapsing. They sure as hell aren't smart enough to be able to track every vehicle in the country and know what to do with that information. GM is heading for bankrupcy at present...they have far bigger worries right now than figuring out where someone's Kappa is located and trying to turn it off.
I love conspiracy theorists. The same people who claim our government is utterly incompetant also are scared to death of being "tracked" by the same utterly incompetant government.
Our government can't prevent levees from failing or bridges from collapsing. They sure as hell aren't smart enough to be able to track every vehicle in the country and know what to do with that information. GM is heading for bankrupcy at present...they have far bigger worries right now than figuring out where someone's Kappa is located and trying to turn it off.
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TEAM FREAKY CIRCUS S**
Every available Option including On*Star
2.5" Stubby Black Antenna
Lil' Chromies
Solstice License Plate Frame (not really a mod)
Norms Fenders
Holes in front bumper from plate bracket (custom)
Solo Hi Flow Cat/ 3in dual exhaust
Kappa Intake
Location: Under an invisibility cloak, somewhere in the Northeast
For the 2006 (late in the production year addition) and 2007 model year Solstice, OnStar was an option that could be ordered by the future owner or dealership that placed the initial factory order.
As part of GM's commitment to their owner's safety before, during and after an accident, OnStar was made standard equipment in the Solstice for the 2008 model year and beyond.
Each GM new vehicle purchaser or used vehicle purchaser with any OnStar service subscription time remaining can cancel the OnStar service and have the OnStar system deactivated.
The antenna is one quick way to determine if a Solstice contains OnStar hardware from the outside, the OnStar 3-Button unit on the rearview mirror is the give away on the inside.
Several site members have talked (posted) about removing the OnStar system, alphajesse perhaps the most recent and most vocal. Not sure if they or anyone else has ever got it done though. But wrangler812's search turned up those threads.
As to the misinterpretation of my initial post, perhaps it was due to it's one line nature.
The purchase of a Used Car can be very difficult. Guessing at previous use, the evaluation of current condition and the projection of future reliability is all very hard. Now do that for several different versions of the vehicle of choice and it gets harder. Especially from a distance. Always wondering if the right choice was made. The lack of understanding about OnStar, made me hope that the more important part of picking the right car goes well.
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INFORMATION POSTED ON SITE
Any GM Solstice Service Manual and Service Bulletin information found here on site, or Sales and Product information should be thought of as correct and accurate as of the date posted. After that any information or procedure should be confirmed as still correct with your dealership.
Last edited by Small Dealer : 06-30-2008 at 09:34 AM.
I like on-star. Worked great when my 80 year old dad locked his keys in his truck. Its nice to be able to call out when I forget my cell phone. God forbid the air bag deploys; its comforting to have a service that calls the car and asks if I need help. Once a check engine light came on in an Envoy I leased, I hit the on-star button and they told me what the problem was.
The black helicopter following the Sol does make my dog bark though....
A little off topic, but...I do not have Onstar on my 2007 Solstice. I do, however, have the equipment on my 2007 Grand Prix. I never activated it, did not take "advantage"of the free year's service. Onstar hounded me both by phone and mail to activate their service. Finally asked them if they could put me on a do not call list. I'll probably lock the keys in the Grand Prix today and wish I had signed up for it!
As to the misinterpretation of my initial post, perhaps it was due to it's one line nature.
The purchase of a Used Car can be very difficult. Guessing at previous use, the evaluation of current condition and the projection of future reliability is all very hard. Now do that for several different versions of the vehicle of choice and it gets harder. Especially from a distance. Always wondering if the right choice was made. The lack of understanding about OnStar, made me hope that the more important part of picking the right car goes well.
AMAZING! Calling it a misinterpretation and then saying the exact same thing in more fluffy and comfortable language! In my personal defense, I did look through several of the previous threads on onstar, but found many conflicting posts and information. XM box here vs. there, Onstar module here vs. there, antennae removal works vs. does not work, integrated into car's computer workings vs. not, etc, etc. Therefore, for some strange reason that must be rooted in stupidity and the innate inability to effectively purchase used cars, I decided it might be wise to try again with people re-looking at the topic and seeing if anyone had concrete understanding of where everything was.
And the joke about the black helicopter is well taken --- if someone were to ask me, "If given the power, would the Onstar system be used against you and result in your car being turned off against your will?" ---- I would answer, "No --- the probability of that in this country is astronomically low --- chances are extremely slim that it would ever happen". Now let me ask the question from a different angle to try and make my point --- imagine this question being asked to you 10 years ago ---- "Should someone you have never met or know nothing about have the right to control whether or not your car will start on any given day?" --- the answer might be quite different. It's about the right for someone to be able to do this --- not whether or not I think it would actually happen.
Location: Under an invisibility cloak, somewhere in the Northeast
I see the disconnect now.
My posts have given the impression that they refer to the question about removal of the OnStar hardware.
As pointed out, there has never been a definitive answer posted by anyone that I remember. Which also pointed out, you had found in your site reading. So it is understandable that is why you were asking in a new thread about the possible removal.
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INFORMATION POSTED ON SITE
Any GM Solstice Service Manual and Service Bulletin information found here on site, or Sales and Product information should be thought of as correct and accurate as of the date posted. After that any information or procedure should be confirmed as still correct with your dealership.
Last edited by Small Dealer : 06-30-2008 at 04:19 PM.
Just the thoughts of a newbie....
