[sdi]

I have a new 2016 Trax LTZ, purchased in Mexico.
It included the OnStar service "free" for one year.
I have been trying to enter my basic settings with no luck.
The infamous "blue button" does connect after a few minutes but the volume is very low and there is a lot of static. The helpful person was able to get my plate number correct but the OnStar web site now shows California USA as the issuer. That is actually worse than nothing.
The OnStar web site does not work for Mexico.
I have traded email with a tech. but I get "I don't know"
It seems that NONE of the "features" work in Mexico... local police think it is a joke.

My question: does anybody know how to fully disconnect this worthless thing?

 

[DustTrax]

I don't think you can simply turn off the onstar. It's a device that permits the vehicle to be tracked and you may need to completely disconnect it from the car. Maybe bring it in to your dealership so they can do it for you?

 

[FreakyDeaky]

I had OnStar antenna problems on my new Trax that required repair right out of the factory. I don't know anything about service in Mexico though.

 

[sdi]

I am no longer in that "first year free period" and this stupid thing will not give up.
This is still a big annoyance. I taped a piece of plastic over the mirror buttons so I can move the mirror without accidentally triggering it but ... It STILL triggers for no reason and starts yelling at me thru the radio. I have found No way to turn it off no matter what button I push, I have to wait for it to time out.

Next, I will take the radio out and put it in the trash (it is crap anyway) but I really don't want to be constantly tracked for any reason. Big Brother has no business tracking me without my consent.

The dealer is no help, they just say "you will void your warranty" and I continue to reply: I don't want your stupid warranty!!!

*** I will Never buy another car with Onstar, ever ***

(sorry for the rant, other than Onstar and the cheap crap Radio I really like the car)

 

[Traxy]

Why don't you just disconnect the OnStar connector, takes 3 seconds. Unless you have self dimming rear view mirrors then you will just need to pull or cut the key pad wire. Pin #4 with a Green/Black wire.

There are no screws holding the 2 split covers, they are just pressure fitted together so you just need to slide them sideways and you will see the connector at the top. Just press the retaining clip at the top and pull the connector then re-position the covers and press them together.

Disregard the other wire I was installing a dashcam.

What don't you like about the radio, mine works fine?

 

[sdi]

Thanks! where is that connector at? Is it plugged in at the radio?

Why don't you just disconnect the OnStar connector, takes 3 seconds. Unless you have self dimming rear view mirrors then you will just need to pull or cut the key pad wire. Pin #4 with a Green/Black wire.

 

[Traxy]

I edited my previous post to add info. At the very top of the mirror.

 

[sdi]

sucess

I edited my previous post to add info. At the very top of the mirror.

Thanks! Not quite so easy for an old guy, but I did it and nothing got damaged... and the car still runs. ;-)

Do you think this also disconnects the GPS antenna? I don't like the idea of being constantly tracked.

===
the radio:
1. very poor reception, both AM and FM. I am comparing it to my other cars, one with a very old Kmart stereo. They are all much better. I did try switching the antennas from the other cars, no help.
2. there is no CD player and the USB is problematic. Many tracks don't play. I unplug and try another, and it works, then late it too will not play all tracks. The USB gets physically Hot, not warm, Hot. It is clear that this is a Windows problem common to all Windows platforms.
Using the same USBs in other devices work fine, both movies and audio.

I checked out buying another radio, but several functions (door locks, headlights, and something else) are controlled thru the radio. I hesitate spending hundreds of dollars on a quality radio and maybe loosing those functions.

Anyway, thanks for your help. Peter

 

[Traxy]

Do you think this also disconnects the GPS antenna? I don't like the idea of being constantly tracked.
Peter

Aren't you being a bit paranoid the government knows where you are either way, they have cameras everywhere?

If you still see the direction indication in your DIC telling you which direction you are going the GPS circuitry is still operative.

 

[sdi]

Aren't you being a bit paranoid the government knows where you are either way, they have cameras everywhere?

If you still see the direction indication in your DIC telling you which direction you are going the GPS circuitry is still operative.

I value my privacy, you should too.
Not being a US resident I still have some.
==
I don't figure a dashboard display would be a good indicator of the operation of the GPS, I would assume the old school compass would serve for that.

 

[Traxy]

I don't figure a dashboard display would be a good indicator of the operation of the GPS, I would assume the old school compass would serve for that.

Nope, unless your Trax is older than 2014. The cardinal directions are derived from the GPS circuitry so you don't have to set it up like before where you had to choose a region then drive in circles til your head spun.

 

[Traxy]

Last September I called OnStar to have it deactivated, when I got into my car this afternoon my cell was trying to connect to the internet when I realized it was connected to the Trax WiFi. Well WiFi with no internet is pretty much useless. So I called them to see what was going on. Go figure this all happened on it's own nobody at OnStar screwed up. To make things worse it reactivated it under the previous owner so they wouldn't do anything over the phone had to use the blue button in the car. Even then I had to argue with this next person that I was the real owner. They said it would take 3 minutes and an hour later my cell is still trying to connect to it's WiFi. Darn OnStar!

 

[sdi]

My Trax is 2016. The compass wored in an underground parking garage, so your therory does not work

 

[Traxy]

If you read carefully I wrote that it derives it's calibration from OnStar didn't say it solely depended on OnStar.