Personal Audio Link

[Small Dealer]

The Part number has been released and is now listed for dealership's at their local ADI's online guides.

Not available yet, but a big step forward.

The come in packs of 6, so your local dealership may not want ot order them from GM. They will though be able to get just one by ordering through their ADI (GM accessory supplier network).

Showing a list price of $159.00

Here is the guide entry:

Personal Audio Link - 19171028 Personal Audio Link provides full "read" functionality* of the iPod, such as sorting by category (genre, playlist, artist, album, song, podcast or audiobook) and shuffling songs/titles within a selected category. The iPod-PAL connection is concealed inside the glove compartment (or auxiliary glove compartment, depending on vehicle) so there are no messy extraneous wires. The iPod also charges while connected to the PAL with the vehicle on. *iPod settings and content cannot be changed using the PAL.

Shown for 2007 Solstice (and G5s) with the US8-Single CD/MP3 and Us9-6Disc CD/MP3 radios.

Anyone that does order from their dealership, just make sure that the dealership double checks the part number before ordering.

[crundell]

As always SD, you have the good intell on this stuff. I have been doing a lot of work for a Chevy dealer and I'll be able to coax him into buying the six pack. He's got many cars on the lot that would sell just that much faster with a "free" iPod connector. Five for him, one for me!

[Codeman]

I spoke with one vendor (not a SF supporter) that said they had them in stock. Since SD said they aren't available yet, I wonder if they aren't mistaken (though I gave them the PN).

Might order it next week for the heck of it though, I've been waiting on this for some time.

[Small Dealer]

GM DealerWorld EPIC system shows no stock information for the Solstice PAL unit, as does the local ADI for the Northeast area where we are. That is what I based my post last week, and a couple of PMs on.

Today a parts locator search now shows several ADIs (in other parts of the country) that do show inventory. So it would be available to dealerships in their areas.


UPDATE: One of the ADIs is in Forth Worth Texas. So they may handle parts of the Southweat including Oklahoma. Inventory updated as of July 5th, showing 66 in stock for their dealerships to order from.

[Codeman]

Originally Posted by Small Dealer GM DealerWorld EPIC system shows no stock information for the Solstice PAL unit, as does the local ADI for the Northeast area where we are. That is what I based my post last week, and a couple of PMs on. Today a parts locator search now shows several ADIs (in other parts of the country) that do show inventory. So it would be available to dealerships in their areas. UPDATE: One of the ADIs is in Forth Worth Texas. So they may handle parts of the Southweat including Oklahoma. Inventory updated as of July 5th, showing 66 in stock for their dealerships to order from.

woohoo! Guess I'll place my order after all

Now I just need to research how difficult it is going to be to install though I don't imagine it is going to be very difficult

[Greg Papendick]

Originally Posted by Codeman woohoo! Guess I'll place my order after all Now I just need to research how difficult it is going to be to install though I don't imagine it is going to be very difficult

Installation is not difficult at all. It should take a competent Mechanic less than an hour to install and full instructions are included in each kit. The Soltice takes a bit more disassembly than some installations and if the vehicle is equipped with XM it adds a bit more time to the installation. XM equipped vehicles require programming so you will need access to a Tech 2 in order to complete the installation.

The PAL is not compatible with the base U1C radio as this radio has no XM compatible audio interface.

All of the ADIs should have product in stock by now (Part Number 19171028) so your Dealer can order individual units through them.

Greg Papendick

Global Portfolio Planner
Electronics and Infotainment

[Codeman]

good to know. I'll probably install it and then run it in for the program.


Question though. My car came with XM, but I no longer use it. So would I still need the programing since I don't need the XM to function?
I assume so, but it never hurts to ask

[Greg Papendick]

Originally Posted by Codeman good to know. I'll probably install it and then run it in for the program. Question though. My car came with XM, but I no longer use it. So would I still need the programing since I don't need the XM to function? I assume so, but it never hurts to ask

Hmmm, somehow I knew this question would come up, just not this quickly.

In order to make the system work as designed (and tested), those vehicles with XM need to be properly wired and programmed. An installation as you describe has not been tested and there is a high probability of codes being set in the vehicle. Service charges for diagnostics would not be covered by warranty when it was discovered that the installation was performed improperly.

There could also be some issues at resale if the new buyer wanted XM and had to pay to have the installation completed.


Regards,

Greg Papendick

Global Portfolio Planner
Electronics and Infotainment

[Small Dealer]

Originally Posted by Greg Papendick In order to make the system work as designed (and tested), those vehicles with XM need to be properly wired and programmed. An installation as you describe has not been tested and there is a high probability of codes being set in the vehicle. Service charges for diagnostics would not be covered by warranty when it was discovered that the installation was performed improperly.

So if I read correctly, PAL requires the XM components and wiring to be in factory installed condition. But doesn't require an actual active XM subscription.

If a Solstice owner had removed parts of their car's XM system, things will not work as planned.


Here is a more information about how XM and PAL work:

To select "iPod mode" on the vehicle radio, press the BAND button to cycle through available bands: AM, FM, and XM. The XM band alternates between iPod and XM mode; i.e., every other cycle through the XM band is actually iPod mode. When in iPod mode, the radio will briefly display "iPod Selected" or "No iPod" depending on the connection status of the iPod. Although the PAL is accessed through the radio's XM band, XM service is in no way related to the PAL.

[Codeman]

Originally Posted by Greg Papendick Hmmm, somehow I knew this question would come up, just not this quickly.

what can I say, I'm not real keen on paying $1xx per labor hour
Luckily the flag hours aren't that high.

If a Solstice owner had removed parts of their car's XM system, things will not work as planned.

It's intact, just w/o subscription.

[Greg Papendick]

Originally Posted by Small Dealer So if I read correctly, PAL requires the XM components and wiring to be in factory installed condition. But doesn't require an actual active XM subscription. If a Solstice owner had removed parts of their car's XM system, things will not work as planned. Here is a more information about how XM and PAL work:

If the factory SDAR has been completely removed, the PAL will work exactly as it would if the vehicle had never had XM installed (the PAL will work without XM except with the U1C radio). If the SDAR is still attached to the serial communications bus but the PAL is not programmed is where there is a problem area.

I don't recommend removing the SDAR (Satellite Digital Audio Receiver) for resale or if you decide you want XM later. You could of course add the SDAR later and program then I guess.

Regards,
Greg Papendick

[Codeman]

I'm not planning on doing this, but let me make sure I understand you correctly Greg.

1) If XM is installed, the PAL must be programmed in order to work correctly.

2) If the SDAR is simply disconnected (or was never installed, excluding the U1C radio) then the PAL does not need to be programmed and is simply "plug and play"?


Thanks again for your insight

[Greg Papendick]

Originally Posted by Codeman I'm not planning on doing this, but let me make sure I understand you correctly Greg. 1) If XM is installed, the PAL must be programmed in order to work correctly. 2) If the SDAR is simply disconnected (or was never installed, excluding the U1C radio) then the PAL does not need to be programmed and is simply "plug and play"? Thanks again for your insight

Correct. We may change the default programming in the future as XM becomes standard in more vehicles but at this time there are more HHR/Cobalt/Soltice/Sky/G5 vehicles without XM so installation costs are lower for the majority of the vehicles.

If the SDAR is disconnected for any reason, the GMLAN line to the SDAR should be disconnected at the BCM to make sure that the unterminated line does not act as an antennae. This is the connection that is called out in the instructions when installing with XM.

Remember, removing the SDAR and adding the PAL, or installing the PAL in an XM vehicle without programming, are not GM supported installations so your mileage may vary.

Greg

[PAO]

Originally Posted by Greg Papendick Correct. We may change the default programming in the future as XM becomes standard in more vehicles but at this time there are more HHR/Cobalt/Soltice/Sky/G5 vehicles without XM so installation costs are lower for the majority of the vehicles. If the SDAR is disconnected for any reason, the GMLAN line to the SDAR should be disconnected at the BCM to make sure that the unterminated line does not act as an antennae. This is the connection that is called out in the instructions when installing with XM. Remember, removing the SDAR and adding the PAL, or installing the PAL in an XM vehicle without programming, are not GM supported installations so your mileage may vary. Greg

so how difficult is it to program the PAL...and do the service techs know how to do this now..is there a bulletin out .....my experience is most service departments dont specialize in interior work....most simply prefer plug and play replacements or a simple reflash of the ECM or a software upload via a headunit....noted it takes a tech 2....standard equipment at a service department.....just wondering if a tech would know since this is such a new release....

[Codeman]

Originally Posted by Greg Papendick Correct. We may change the default programming in the future as XM becomes standard in more vehicles but at this time there are more HHR/Cobalt/Soltice/Sky/G5 vehicles without XM so installation costs are lower for the majority of the vehicles. If the SDAR is disconnected for any reason, the GMLAN line to the SDAR should be disconnected at the BCM to make sure that the unterminated line does not act as an antennae. This is the connection that is called out in the instructions when installing with XM. Remember, removing the SDAR and adding the PAL, or installing the PAL in an XM vehicle without programming, are not GM supported installations so your mileage may vary. Greg

Thanks for clarifying. Well I dropped mine off at the dealer this morning, so hopefully I'll get the call from them soon.