so, my little light on my mirror goes from green to red. call Onstar, they say take it to dealer for battery replacement. Dealer says they have to order it and installation will take approx 2 hours due to back seat and trim removal.

Anyone ever had this happen?:whine:

This thread is about the OnStar Back-Up Battery (BUB).

One other site member has posted this issue.

Best guess was it had to do with improper procedures when the vehicle's battery was disconnected while the car was on showroom display.

The post is about the OnStar Back-Up Battery (BUB) not the vehicle's battery.

One other site member has posted this issue. Best guess was it had to do with improper procedures when the vehicle's battery was disconnected while the car was on showroom display.

Agreed, that's what I was thinking too. Biggest surprise is how much hassle they say it will be to change it.

Agreed, that's what I was thinking too. Biggest surprise is how much hassle they say it will be to change it.

The procedure in the manual does look overly complicated.

Do not think they use OnStar in Holdens down under, so they had to fit it somewhere for the US. The battery also wasn't designed to be a consumable item. Just used during accidents. So guess a couple hours in a large body shop stay wouldn't matter.

Here is the information:


Recommendation/Instructions:

Do not disconnect the main vehicle battery or remove the OnStar® fuse with the ignition key in any position other than OFF. Retained accessory power (RAP) should be allowed to time out or be disabled (simply opening the drivers door should disable RAP) before disconnecting power.

Disconnecting power to the OnStar® module in any way while the ignition is ON or with RAP activated may cause activation of the OnStar® Back-Up Battery (BUB) system and will discharge and permanently damage the back-up battery. This action is per design as the BUB is designed to provide power to the VCIM so an emergency notification call can be made after a vehicle collision where the main battery is disabled.

Once the Back-Up Battery is activated it will stay on until it has completely discharged. The BUB is not rechargeable and once activated the BUB must be replaced.

Important: Do not remove power from the OnStar® VCIM with the key on or with RAP activated.

This brings up a question; if one needs to disconnect the battery (the car battery) how does one keep the Onstar battery from going on? Based on the last post it looks as if as long as the key is off when you disconnect the battery it will not be a problem, right?

Now its June 11, the dealer finally got my Onstar battery in. Now they need to keep my car all day to install it tomorrow!

If anyone knows for sure, please post up instructions to safely disconnect the regular battery without hosing up the Onstar battery. The "with RAP activated" part of what Small Dealer posted is what worries me. Is RAP deactivated by simply opening the door after shutting off car?

Is RAP deactivated by simply opening the door after shutting off car?


That is what the Bulletin, Owner's Manual, and Service Manual all say.

That is what the Bulletin, Owner's Manual, and Service Manual all say.

Thanks SD!

Dealer was able to replace the battery with much less wailing and gnashing of teeth than they had expected. apparently minimal trim removal and a guy with really long arms did the trick. Now I have a green light again. All covered by warranty of course.

Sorry to brig up an old thread, but I will probably replace my onstar battery and want to make sure that I do it correctly. Does anyone have the actual steps to replace it? I can get to it, just want to be sure that I don't wreck the new one.

Sounds like , ignition off, car in sleep mode, disconnect battery, open door, remove rear shelf, install onstar battery, close everything up except trunk, reconnect battery......

Just want to be sure I don't put the new battery in discharge mode. Bummer it is a one time use thing.

2 GTOs^^^^The service manual says #!-- disconnect the *negative* cable to the car battery #2--- remove the rear shelf #3--- from within the trunk, release the 4 battery pack mounting bracket retaining clips that you will see poking thru the shelf. Not sure if this step is really necessary other than to allow you to work with the battery to mounting bracket separation, with more room around you. #4---- disconnect the electrical connector to the battery an remove same from the bracket assy. #5--- slide in the new battery and listen for an audible click to insure it is locked into the bracket correctly to avoid any possible rattle condition. #6--- engage the battery an bracket back onto the shelf, then connect the electrical connector. #7--- reinstall the shelf trim panel, then reconnect the negative car battery.

Not sure what you mean by 'sleep mode'. Just make sure the key isn't in the ignition, disconnect the battery and pull the onstar battery out.

Is there a part number for the Onstar Battery or a replacement available?