Wow, nicely done! I believe the VCIM needs to be programmed with your VIN for Onstar to work. But if you don't need it...

 

Thanks so much for posting this. I just ordered mine from SourceOne.

 

Ok, so I wanted to share my VCIM story. I just changed mine out this week.
-Early 2012 Volt w/ Bluetooth,Nav, Bose, leather, heated seats-

-Symptoms:
——————-
1) No GPS (GPS with line through symbol)
and no Navigation if you have Nav system.
2) Clock resets to 12:00 after every start.
3) Compass is grayed out and nonfunctioning.
4) Bluetooth is disabled( No hands free calling or any phone integration) No voice recognition.
5) No OnStar functions emergency or otherwise(Onstar buttons do not light up on the upper headliner panel)

-My Solution:
————————
After researching different Volt forums and deciding that I wanted a permanent solution verses just pulling the Onstar/phone fuse for something temporary, I decided to replace the module itself. The exact replacement module part # 22997920 costs around $200 bucks and I really didn’t want to spend that much and not even be 100% that it would take care of the problem. So I spent $58 bucks and ordered part # 20957195-22739886 with a description of (Bluetooth Module VCIM Gen 9.0 2011 Camaro Cruze SRX Regal). I had found from the forums that Volt owners had tried different modules from other models and even different years and they work. Not just any VCIM but in particular ones from the Cruze and the Buick Regal. You can find this particular module from reputable eBay sellers as low as $26. I got mine from Source One Auto Parts and it was a New/refurbished unit so I paid more for mine at $58.

Installation:
———————
On my early 2012 all I had to do was remove a 1/4 inch hex head screw that sets right behind the OBDII socket on the left hand side of the steering column. Once removed, that releases a plastic housing swing door and with some manipulation the module will drop down and you can unplug the old module (3 different plugs) and install the new one. The one that I ordered from Sourceone had a printed circuit board style Bluetooth antenna also attached to it. The old one that I removed must have had a built in Bluetooth antenna but it works just the same.

Results:
——————-
Upon plugging in the new VCIM, I turned the car on and immediately I had Bluetooth functions, the clock went to the correct time, the compass was no longer grayed out and stated “CAL” for calibration and that will change to north, south etc...once you drive it down the road a bit and it calibrates itself. The navigation system came back up and had me in the right location. Voice recognition was back along with phone functions. The ONLY thing that was not working was the Onstar button and I believe that’s with any replacement you will have to have the dealership program in order for Onstar to work but since I don’t want Onstar or want to pay for it, this works out great. Although the Red Cross emergency button does work. I didn’t wait for it to actually get someone on the phone. I ended the call before that happened but like I said that part isn’t important to me.

Any chance you can post a few pics of the location and hex bolt you referred to? I see the port, but there are several hex screws in that area, and I want to make sure I’m removing the right one.

 

Ok, so I wanted to share my VCIM story. I just changed mine out this week.
-Early 2012 Volt w/ Bluetooth,Nav, Bose, leather, heated seats-

-Symptoms:
——————-
1) No GPS (GPS with line through symbol)
and no Navigation if you have Nav system.
2) Clock resets to 12:00 after every start.
3) Compass is grayed out and nonfunctioning.
4) Bluetooth is disabled( No hands free calling or any phone integration) No voice recognition.
5) No OnStar functions emergency or otherwise(Onstar buttons do not light up on the upper headliner panel)

-My Solution:
————————
After researching different Volt forums and deciding that I wanted a permanent solution verses just pulling the Onstar/phone fuse for something temporary, I decided to replace the module itself. The exact replacement module part # 22997920 costs around $200 bucks and I really didn’t want to spend that much and not even be 100% that it would take care of the problem. So I spent $58 bucks and ordered part # 20957195-22739886 with a description of (Bluetooth Module VCIM Gen 9.0 2011 Camaro Cruze SRX Regal). I had found from the forums that Volt owners had tried different modules from other models and even different years and they work. Not just any VCIM but in particular ones from the Cruze and the Buick Regal. You can find this particular module from reputable eBay sellers as low as $26. I got mine from Source One Auto Parts and it was a New/refurbished unit so I paid more for mine at $58.

Installation:
———————
On my early 2012 all I had to do was remove a 1/4 inch hex head screw that sets right behind the OBDII socket on the left hand side of the steering column. Once removed, that releases a plastic housing swing door and with some manipulation the module will drop down and you can unplug the old module (3 different plugs) and install the new one. The one that I ordered from Sourceone had a printed circuit board style Bluetooth antenna also attached to it. The old one that I removed must have had a built in Bluetooth antenna but it works just the same.

Results:
——————-
Upon plugging in the new VCIM, I turned the car on and immediately I had Bluetooth functions, the clock went to the correct time, the compass was no longer grayed out and stated “CAL” for calibration and that will change to north, south etc...once you drive it down the road a bit and it calibrates itself. The navigation system came back up and had me in the right location. Voice recognition was back along with phone functions. The ONLY thing that was not working was the Onstar button and I believe that’s with any replacement you will have to have the dealership program in order for Onstar to work but since I don’t want Onstar or want to pay for it, this works out great. Although the Red Cross emergency button does work. I didn’t wait for it to actually get someone on the phone. I ended the call before that happened but like I said that part isn’t important to me.

The VCIM in my son's 2012 volt stopped working and was draining the 12 Volt Battery. Based on the information in this post we took a chance and bought a VCIM from a 2012 Sonic part number 22833630 from a local auto recycler. It has the external Bluetooth antennae. Hands free phone and navigation works. Do not have onstar account, so cannot comment on whether that functions properly.

 

I just had similar "Bad VCIM" symptoms on my 2011 Volt, maybe coincidentally after a 12V battery change. After pulling the right side fuse #10 and putting tape over the always incorrect clock readout, I came to realize there is no good place to stick on a dash clock, and besides that they are not backlit. So I took the risk and got a replacement VCIM box from a junkyard through car-parts.com . ($50 plus $15 shipping.) The part # for the VCIM box on a 2011 is 22794474, and it is located on the right side, under the dash, like to the right of the passenger's feet. To get to it, the panel by the door molding needs to be pried up at the rear joint, and pulled backwards. Then the three screws holding the 'toe panel' need to be removed. Then on the right side is one more screw to drop out the plastic bottom of the box that holds the VCIM module up in place. It is tight, but it does pull out far enough to undo the fittings. After putting my junkyard box in, my clock did not come right back until I drove around my block to see that GPS navigation was back. The clock fixed itself after about 15 seconds of driving. And blutooth is available again. So it sounds like they changed VCIM part # and location after 2011. I don't use Onstar, so I do not plan to go to dealer to pay for any phone connection details/settings.

 

Thanks for sharing this. My wife has been driving our 2012 Volt for the last few years, and the dealer quoted her almost $900 to replace the VCIM. So I just told her to use speakerphone I am now driving it every day again and saw this post so I ordered the part from SourceOne. It arrived today so I went out after work to see about swapping in the new VCIM. I undid the hex bolt behind the ODBII, popped off the cover, and viola. There it is. I undid the antennae and the three plugs, grabbed the new VCIM, and . . . I can't find the black plug. The two white connectors and the antennae are there, no black plug. I searched around under the dash with a flashlight, pulled up the carpet in case it fell behind the panel, no dice. It's now dark outside so I had to give up for the night, so I'll look again tomorrow, but it is the oddest thing I've had happen in a while working on a car. Does anyone have thoughts on how this thing just "disappeared"? I'm trying to Google for a wiring diagram but no luck so far.

 

Automakers are notorious for using as little wire as possible. I’ve seen harnesses like banjo string with NO slack, making the connectors difficult to remove and even harder to plug in.

 

Exactly - my worry is this was so taut it "rubberbanded" somewhere and I'll never find it again. I plugged in the two white connectors and antennae and BT, clock, and nav all work now, but of course, CEL. If anyone is feeling generous and can check which direction the black plug wire heads in under the dash I'd appreciate it. Otherwise I guess a whole lot more dash pieces are going to need to come off this weekend

 

to follow up: the codes causing the CEL were all related to "can't communicate . . ." so I assume the module being disconnected while the car was powered on caused them. I cleared the codes, no CEL after driving around running errands yesterday. Still haven't located the third plug, but GPS, BT, and clock all work so unless the CEL light pops back on I'm not going to tear out the dash looking for it. Lesson learned to throw a zip tie over the wiring before you drop the module out of the case.

 

Novice inquiry -
On 2011 I have BT capability/functionality but not working (can't find the car to pair to from my devices).
Is the VCIM strictly attached to the model year as in I must get 2011 for 2011 vs. 2012 in a 2011 vehicle? I ask the question as some reports 2011 doesn't have bluetooth capability, but my model has it available (via menu) just not operational whether I choose Phone or Navigation device.
I'm seeking part number 22794474, but if I find 2012 part# would it replace identically or not (if anyone is aware). I recognize the two different years have the module located on opposite sides of the dash/interior - not sure if other differences exist besides fuse (2011 F10 on passenger's side vs. 2012+ F9 on driver's side).

 

Ordered from Source One. Worked like a charm in my 2012. Thanks!

 

Ok, so I wanted to share my VCIM story. I just changed mine out this week.
-Early 2012 Volt w/ Bluetooth,Nav, Bose, leather, heated seats-

-Symptoms:
——————-
1) No GPS (GPS with line through symbol)
and no Navigation if you have Nav system.
2) Clock resets to 12:00 after every start.
3) Compass is grayed out and nonfunctioning.
4) Bluetooth is disabled( No hands free calling or any phone integration) No voice recognition.
5) No OnStar functions emergency or otherwise(Onstar buttons do not light up on the upper headliner panel)

-My Solution:
————————
After researching different Volt forums and deciding that I wanted a permanent solution verses just pulling the Onstar/phone fuse for something temporary, I decided to replace the module itself. The exact replacement module part # 22997920 costs around $200 bucks and I really didn’t want to spend that much and not even be 100% that it would take care of the problem. So I spent $58 bucks and ordered part # 20957195-22739886 with a description of (Bluetooth Module VCIM Gen 9.0 2011 Camaro Cruze SRX Regal). I had found from the forums that Volt owners had tried different modules from other models and even different years and they work. Not just any VCIM but in particular ones from the Cruze and the Buick Regal. You can find this particular module from reputable eBay sellers as low as $26. I got mine from https://www.sourceoneautoparts.com and it was a New/refurbished unit so I paid more for mine at $58.

Installation:
———————
On my early 2012 all I had to do was remove a 1/4 inch hex head screw that sets right behind the OBDII socket on the left hand side of the steering column. Once removed, that releases a plastic housing swing door and with some manipulation the module will drop down and you can unplug the old module (3 different plugs) and install the new one. The one that I ordered from Sourceone had a printed circuit board style Bluetooth antenna also attached to it. The old one that I removed must have had a built in Bluetooth antenna but it works just the same.

Results:
——————-
Upon plugging in the new VCIM, I turned the car on and immediately I had Bluetooth functions, the clock went to the correct time, the compass was no longer grayed out and stated “CAL” for calibration and that will change to north, south etc...once you drive it down the road a bit and it calibrates itself. The navigation system came back up and had me in the right location. Voice recognition was back along with phone functions. The ONLY thing that was not working was the Onstar button and I believe that’s with any replacement you will have to have the dealership program in order for Onstar to work but since I don’t want Onstar or want to pay for it, this works out great. Although the Red Cross emergency button does work. I didn’t wait for it to actually get someone on the phone. I ended the call before that happened but like I said that part isn’t important to me.

Well explained. I decided your detail was so good I was willing to risk it and just buy the part. Very happy with the results. Everything is working again. Now I can charge on schedule.

Thanks

 

Compass was showing “2 dashes” and gps signal showing red slash. Replaced VCIM. Compass now shows “CAL” and I have bluetooth voice control but clock resets after each restart and GPS still not working.

 

This video explains the process nicely. I have ordered the part for my 2012 Premier. I have a hunch that the VCIM (also called Telematics Control Unit on places like EBay) failure has caused some problems with my 12V battery which I believe have finally given me the dreaded Service High Voltage DTC. I have a friend with VCX Nano reader and SPS2 Techline on an old laptop. He has reflashed the HCPM2 five times at least but the error code continues to appear. I hope to replace the VCIM and 12V battery at the same time and then get him to do the reset one more time. If that doesn't work I think I am finally done with the Volt. A shame because it drives like a dream-I call her Silky.

 

Likely need to reflash the BECM as well.