Hey guys,

I am having issues with the VCIM in my 08 tahoe hybrid. I switched out the VCIM with a newer one to add bluetooth and it works fine until I have been driving for a few hours - then my nav/radio/all audiosignals(including turn signals) will freeze. It won't let me change radio stations, I can't hear the nav directions, and I can't even click the power button to turn the radio/nav off (I press in the volume ****, but nothing happens). I can still hear the radio (on the station that was playing), but like I said, I can't change the station. All my voice commands and steering wheel controls also shut off and will not work.

Its also really weird that when this has happened and I get a call over bluetooth, the DIC shows the caller ID, but I can not answer the call and it doesn't ring. Also when this is happening I can push the OnStar button on the rear view mirror and it will being to flash and the DIC will show that it is connecting to OnStar, but I get no audio. I have no idea if they can hear me or not, but I can't hear them and I assume the operator just hangs up after 30 seconds or so.

I have tried two different VCIMs - the first was out of a 2011 Tahoe and the one I have in there now is out of a 2010 Suburban. Both of them work fine, other than the cutting off issue.

I haven’t pulled the fuses, but I have to pull over and shut the car off, open the driver’s door to shut off all the electronic signals, wait a few minutes, then start everything back up. Once I do that it works fine for a few more hours BUT this is a HUGE hassle.

I have been thinking about adding a switch to the fuse and running it inside the cabin under the dash. That way when everything freezes, I can just flip that switch (cutting the power), wait a sec or two, then flip it back on….all without having the stop and turn the car off then back on.

Has anyone else had these issues? I’m sure it can’t just be me and Wings. If so, what did you do to fix/correct it? And do you think that adding the switch to the fuse is a workable solution?

Sorry for such a long post (hope I didn't ramble too much), but I really wanted to get all the details in there. I would really appreciate someone's help with this! I look forward to hearing what you guys think. Thanks!

 

Have you tried putting the original one back in?

It sounds like there's an incompatibility w/ the later VCIM.

 

Yes, tried the original and everything works fine. Whats confusing is that so many other people have done this swap and its worked perfectly for them.

The only other thing I can think of would be that the new VCIM (from the 2010 Suburban) is not working correctly because maybe it came from a truck that didn't have a Bose system? Although from searching around on the net, I'm pretty sure that the 2010 Suburban 1LTs all had Bose (but I can't confirm that). Would the Bose system make any difference with the VCIM?

Shark - do you think it would be possible to rig a switch to the fuse and running it inside the cabin under the dash. That way when everything freezes, I can just flip that switch (cutting the power), wait a sec or two, then flip it back on….all without having the stop and turn the car off then back on. Would that even work?

Thanks for your help!

 

See if GM has different part numbers listed for the different years and or vehicle trim levels, if so then I suspect 73Shark is correct and you have a compatibility issue.

 

As to the switch, probably could do it if it doesn't screw up something else.