I've had a strange issue that's been plaguing me all day with my '05 RL. I'm getting loud cracking and popping sounds through the car speakers. It happens whether the audio system is on or off. I thought it may have been interference from my cell phone (Motorola KRZR, GSM version) but it happens with the cellphone turned off as well. I also thought it may be related to the ANC system, but I also got the noises with the ANC turned off through the radio diagnostic menu. I went into the car diagnostic menu but found no error codes or abnormalities. Has anyone experienced anything like this?

 

ONSTAR? I believe the receiver also broadcasts through the audio system. Maybe something awry with the ONSTAR receiver?

 

Is there anyway to disable Onstar? Maybe a fuse or something? I don't have the service activated.

 

If there is a short in the receiver, I don't know if it matters whether or not you subscribe. Sounds like the dealer needs to diagnose. I do remember reading that the ONSTAR units were replaced in some 2005 models.

 

I'd rather disconnect it if possible. Onstar's analog service (what is in the 05 RL) is being shut off anyway as of 12/31/07 as Onstar switches to digital. I'd rather not replace something that's going away anyway. There must be a way to shut it off.

 

I had a similar issue with an old car. Turned out the be a bad ground. Sorry, I don't remeber exactly where it was.

LL

 

Onstar is functional regardless of subscription or not.
Its like 911 dialing on cell phones that dont have service, it will still dial 911.
And you mean the onstar in the 05-06 RL's was analog?
Shit, that means the extra safety I thought I had was gone.

 

Yeah - I get it that Onstar is functional regardless of whether you subscribe or not - I want to disable it completely. It's possible in other model cars (GM's for example where the control unit is in the trunk and can be disconnected).

Onstar's cellular calling uses Verizon Wireless' 800 mhz analog calling network, which VZW is shutting down as of 12/31/07 due to the FCC forcing cellular carriers to switch to all-digital and return the analog spectrum. Which means that Onstar's analog service will go away on that date. Onstar is switching to a digital service and apparently has offered some customers (Cadillac owners for one) the ability to "upgrade" to the digital service - at a cost of $549 - $2159. They also forced the owners to prepay for 3 years of service.

 

give me a day, I will look into the helms manual later today to see where the module is in the car, and which fuse (circuit) feeds that and if you can disable that without effecting other circuits.

 

Thanks!

 

Jeez. Add this to the list of reasons not to bother with OnStar. It's pretty good in concept, but the implementation, pricing, and the proliferation of cellphones doom it, IMO.

Good luck tracking this issue down, but if you can't I wouldn't hesitate to take it to the dealer. They can usually find things like this far easier than we civilians can.

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Hey DW, Here's a page from the Acura service manual that should help you. Talks about how to run a self diag. Also, at the very beginning, it describes the three fuses that power the system. By the way, the Onstar Control unit is behind the drivers side back seat. You need to remove the seat to get to it to disable it specifically. Hopefully, that won't be necessary.

OnStar Self Diagnostics

 

Thanks - the Onstar self diagnostic didn't return any error codes. I'll give the dealer a call tomorrow morning. Hopefully they can take a look at it this week - I'm going on a road trip next weekend and need the car.

 

Try pulling those three fuses. Not sure what else they might control. However, if you remove those fuses and the poping goes away then I guess you know were the problem is.

 

All you need is to disconnect the 22pin gray harness.
There are 3, left right center.
one is masked by the body frame that supports the seat, so call that one the left one. Its not the one you want.
Nor is the center one.
That leaves the right grey one, with 22 pin connectors.
Its the only 22 pin.
Just disconnect that, and you will not impact any other car systems.

 

I called onstar today. they confirmed at that for my car: 2006 RL: onstar is digital

 

Yay! Good to know. So was it analog in 2005 or digital? I can't see that much of a change occurring between the two model years.

 

Thanks. I disconnected the right grey one and still have the cracking/popping noise. It goes into the dealer next week to see if they can figure it out.

 

did you try turning off the ANC, active noise cancellation?
it may be in that. thats on always.

 

oops, I just reread your original post, yes you did try.
My bad.

 

Analog is better for emergency stuff. Digital towers offer clearer callers, better data rates, and can handle more concurrent connections per tower, but their range is one fifth of analog at the same transmit wattage. In rural Mn ("doncha know") the dual digital/analog phones remain online long after the digital-only phones (like mine) have lost signal.