Retrofitting 2013 Nav + Intellilink

[nhflyer]

I'm thinking about trying to retrofit the newer 2013 Intellilink + Nav solution into my 2012 GS (nav, non-Intellilink). Reasons: BT (stereo) streaming audio, integration with music apps, better voice control, different (but not sure if its better) navigation engine with spoken street names, etc.).

I'm not 100% sure of what is the scope of this project; my idea would be swapping out the radio/nav unit only. But without having two regals side-by-side to take apart to examine the differences, hard to know what exactly has changed.

I do know the part numbers of the radio are different:
2012 Radio w/Nav: 22879332
2013 Radio w/Nav: 22989452

I confirmed these part numbers with my dealer using my VIN for my 2012 and the VIN for a 2013 that has the newer radio/nav.

The radio can be had for about $850 online.

There's a possibility that the new radio has to be programmed with the VIN, but not 100% sure. In some research, I've seen with GM radios sometimes it works just fine after a swap, other times the radio will display "LOCK" and require a trip to the dealer to be programmed to the car, so I'm not sure in this case. Haven't been able to find any forum threads where someone else has tried this.

The control panel is possibly slightly different too; haven't seen in person, but I found a picture online (see below) and the buttons for the radio/nav have been moved around a little bit... but from a dealer picture of a 2013, it looks exactly the same as 2012. Maybe Buick is planning a mid-cycle change?

Anyway... any thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[GTPprix]

That will require custom radio programming as well as more than likely custom BCM programming; not anything a dealer can do. Also may require swapping more components such as the VCIM to the new generation as well as some wiring changes.

 

[Stingray]

Have you looked into getting a Metra double din setup with your choice of radios. Looks like it might be cheaper option, they claim still uses steering wheel controls.

 

[nhflyer]

I would never do an aftermarket radio in this car. In addition to all the buttons that would suddenly become useless, I'm guessing it would replace the screen above and look pretty ugly.

 

[verano4u]

try this link to see if it will fit your car.

http://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/gm-radio-22989452.html

 

[Walt G]

nhflyer:

Did you end up trying this? Did it work?

Or has anyone else tried upgrading a 2012 Nav-only car to the 2013 (and possibly late-2012?) Nav+Intellilink setup?

 

[jimmyh]

I have seen many threads just like this on many forums. I have yet to see one reach a successful conclusion.

 

[Walt G]

I have seen many threads just like this on many forums. I have yet to see one reach a successful conclusion.

Agreed. However, I also have not seen any clearly reach an unsuccessful conclusion either. Most are like this one... no conclusion.

Have you seen anyone report that they actually tried it, and it didn't work?

 

[jimmyh]

Over on cadillacforums there were several guys who attempted to retrofit a nav system into a non-nav CTS. At least one of them gave up after buying the nav radio. Another claimed success but ignored questions asked by many forum members which leads to believe he ran into more problems than he cares to admit.

 

[Walt G]

Not what I wanted to hear, but hearing something is better than hearing nothing.

Thanks.

And let us all know if you hear anything else. I don't car 'too' much that I don't have Intellilink, but I wouldn't mind the integrated, bluetooth streaming, Pandora. But I can live without it (and like 'Slacker' better anyways).

 

[FASTLLS]

I'm following

 

[nhflyer]

I still really want to upgrade to Intellilink+Nav, but the biggest unknown is whether or not any programming is required. Even something as simple as a having to program the VIN into the radio so that it doesn't think it's stolen--I have no idea how to do that, and it doesn't seem like there are any consumer tools out there to program the various modules in the car. I'm afraid a dealer will either have no idea what I want to do, or just tell me no.

We need something like a VAG-COM (VW and Audi), but for GM products!

 

[cozbyrt]

Here is a gm lockpick. I wonder if it might unlock your current system so it works the way you want?

http://coastaletech.com/gmlockpick1.htm

 

[marbs34]

I don't see anything that specifically states use on Regals, the gen 6 information is pretty non-descript actually, but i'd love to learn more about it.

 

[cozbyrt]

After searching their website a little further I see that the regal is not listed, sorry about that. 😱 Hopefully they will support it in the future.

 

[GTPprix]

I can do the programming and you won't need any of that Lockpick garbage either can do all of that in the software.

 

[Harshman]

If you are able to do the programming, please provide more information. I have tried to get info out of SAS and have not had any success. Interested in adapting a back-up camera and not ready to pay $650 for the box.

 

[GTPprix]

Well I'm not a sponsor but I'm not exactly hard to find 😉

 

[TheRaven]

Just wanted to jump in and mention that this is absolutely positively possible. But I don't recommend it if you are not pretty well versed in both car stereo installation and GM-LAN programming (or like my situation where I handle the car stereo installation and part-sourcing and my GM certified master tech buddy handles the GM-LAN integration).

I did this on a CTS and i'm currently in the process of doing it on a 2011 Lacrosse. You need to do ALOT of research to source the proper parts (all of them), and you need access to the VERY EXPENSIVE GM-issued systems required to re-flash the car and nav unit.

Key points:

1 - If you have a car that did not come with nav from the factory, you will need to re-flash the BCM so that the car "knows" it has navigation. In this case, you will need to make sure you get all the necessary parts that a non-nav car would be missing (IE the proper control panel, screen, and GPS antenna), or else certain features may not work. If your car came with nav and you are simply upgrading to a newer unit, you will just have to have the nav unit programmed with your vehicle's VIN. This will unlock the theftlock (which is a guaranteed issue if you buy a used or salvage unit). Also, the GM "global nav" software is multi-platform, so the VIN tells the unit how to configure itself for the car it's going in (I.E so the unit shows a Cadillac screen in a Cadillac, or a Buick screen in a Buick).

2 - Most dealers do not have the know-how to do this properly. It's not SOP for GM's tech network...it has to be done "off the books" by a guy who knows how to do that kind of thing. Some are willing to work with you for the learning experience. But in all cases, it's going to be expensive on both the parts end and programming end unless you have friends in the right places.

This is not a rare thing, if you search the GM truck forums you will see that guys are dropping the 2012 MyLink nav units in their 2007-2011 trucks with little issue (for them it's just a new unit and GPS sensor plus programming). The Camaro guys are figuring this out also, and putting the 2012 -2013 Nav unit in 2010-2011 Camaros that did not have it even as an option.

Within a month or so, I should have my Lacrosse done and i'll post up the details and pics of my install. But it's going to be the same as what i've outlined here.

 

[r0under1982]

Just wanted to jump in and mention that this is absolutely positively possible. But I don't recommend it if you are not pretty well versed in both car stereo installation and GM-LAN programming (or like my situation where I handle the car stereo installation and part-sourcing and my GM certified master tech buddy handles the GM-LAN integration).

I did this on a CTS and i'm currently in the process of doing it on a 2011 Lacrosse. You need to do ALOT of research to source the proper parts (all of them), and you need access to the VERY EXPENSIVE GM-issued systems required to re-flash the car and nav unit.

Key points:

1 - If you have a car that did not come with nav from the factory, you will need to re-flash the BCM so that the car "knows" it has navigation. In this case, you will need to make sure you get all the necessary parts that a non-nav car would be missing (IE the proper control panel, screen, and GPS antenna), or else certain features may not work. If your car came with nav and you are simply upgrading to a newer unit, you will just have to have the nav unit programmed with your vehicle's VIN. This will unlock the theftlock (which is a guaranteed issue if you buy a used or salvage unit). Also, the GM "global nav" software is multi-platform, so the VIN tells the unit how to configure itself for the car it's going in (I.E so the unit shows a Cadillac screen in a Cadillac, or a Buick screen in a Buick).

2 - Most dealers do not have the know-how to do this properly. It's not SOP for GM's tech network...it has to be done "off the books" by a guy who knows how to do that kind of thing. Some are willing to work with you for the learning experience. But in all cases, it's going to be expensive on both the parts end and programming end unless you have friends in the right places.

This is not a rare thing, if you search the GM truck forums you will see that guys are dropping the 2012 MyLink nav units in their 2007-2011 trucks with little issue (for them it's just a new unit and GPS sensor plus programming). The Camaro guys are figuring this out also, and putting the 2012 -2013 Nav unit in 2010-2011 Camaros that did not have it even as an option.

Within a month or so, I should have my Lacrosse done and i'll post up the details and pics of my install. But it's going to be the same as what i've outlined here.

Agreed, where are you located, Id bet my lead tech could do it. If its programmable he can do it. We have a couple of chevy volt customers that always have strange requests, and most of the time he finds a way to program certain things the way the people want them. I will ask him tomorrow, but i doubt he he know how to do it, it would be more of a "give me the car and the unit and let me install and program it" He just has the ability to figure things out. I was considering it, but I may opt for the ATS-V in a year or so. I am waiting to see what buick does first with either a some sort of AWD and that new v6 turbo engine. I would without a doubt trade my car if they made a 400HP+ awd buick grand national. So i decided not to attempt the swap.