Retrofitting 2013 Nav + Intellilink

[GTPprix]

Unfortunately the old nav radio rules no longer apply with GM Global A cars 🙁

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).

The days of simply reflashing the radio at the dealer level are long gone with Global A Radios. The dealers no longer have the ability to change the VIN in a used radio and the vin actually no longer denotes what kind of vehicle its from. The calibration itself actually controls all of that now.

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.

True they send them to a third party since they no longer have the tools at the dealership to do anything with them like this (I'm one of those rare third parties) I'm also the only third party that can unlock other functions.

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.

We've done quite a few of the Global A Camaro radios but the GM Trucks arent Global A yet they are actually a hybrid radio that still uses the old style GMLAN so they can get away with the old style procedures unfortunately still 🙁

 

[TheRaven]

The days of simply reflashing the radio at the dealer level are long gone with Global A Radios. The dealers no longer have the ability to change the VIN in a used radio and the vin actually no longer denotes what kind of vehicle its from. The calibration itself actually controls all of that now.

So you're saying that the Intellilink is different from the previous generation? Because I know for a fact that what I stated works in nav units as recent as 2012...the only ones I haven't personally done are the brand new Intellilink/Cue units.

I have a GM master tech that tells me he can set up an intellilnk unit also, so clearly it can be done at the dealer level, as long as the dealer knows what to do.

 

[GTPprix]

So you're saying that the Intellilink is different from the previous generation? Because I know for a fact that what I stated works in nav units as recent as 2012...the only ones I haven't personally done are the brand new Intellilink/Cue units.

I have a GM master tech that tells me he can set up an intellilnk unit also, so clearly it can be done at the dealer level, as long as the dealer knows what to do.

I guess I should have expounded on it more. If you want to use BRAND NEW from a GM ESC Modules then theoretically a good tech at a dealer can do it. The problem is buying all brand new parts would be around $3000-$4000 depending on the configuration and whats needed. This is where people go and grab salvage units and get stuck with the dealer being unable to do anything with. Global A modules were designed specifically to inhibit swapping of modules. Some modules throw tamper flags when swapped others lock the odometer etc.

We have done hundreds of the "salvage"/used modules for dealers because at the dealer level there is nothing that can be done to get them into another car correctly. The old GMLAN vehicles are much more forgiving in that respect thankfully.

Make more sense?

 

[TheRaven]

I guess I should have expounded on it more. If you want to use BRAND NEW from a GM ESC Modules then theoretically a good tech at a dealer can do it. The problem is buying all brand new parts would be around $3000-$4000 depending on the configuration and whats needed. This is where people go and grab salvage units and get stuck with the dealer being unable to do anything with. Global A modules were designed specifically to inhibit swapping of modules. Some modules throw tamper flags when swapped others lock the odometer etc.

We have done hundreds of the "salvage"/used modules for dealers because at the dealer level there is nothing that can be done to get them into another car correctly. The old GMLAN vehicles are much more forgiving in that respect thankfully.

Make more sense?

Well yes except that you didn't clarify if you are talking about only the newest Intellilink and Cue units.

I AM speaking exclusively about salvage/ebay units. Anything's easy if you are willing to pay big bucks (i.e. buying all brand new GM parts).

For example, I know for a fact that the Cadillac CTS Nav units up to (and NOT including) the CUE era can be done at the dealer because i've witnessed it myself. I also know that the Buick Lacrosse unit i'm looking at can be done the same way because it's the exact same unit. However, as I noted, I will not make any promises about the Intellilink and Cue units because I have not personally witnessed the unlocking process. However, the guy that I have worked closely with for nearly 10 years now tells me he can unlock the Intellilink units also, and he would be using dealer-level tech to do it. Granted he's a bit more savvy than your standard dealer tech, but he's not alone, there are lots of guys like him out there at dealers across the US.

For informational purposes, since not everyone has access to the resources you and I do, do you offer an unlocking service? If so, how can one utilize your service? I'm going to be posting a how-to on the install of a Nav unit in a non-nav lacrosse, so i'd love to include whatever info you can offer and also note whatever service you can provide.

 

[GTPprix]

Any of the GMLAN radios worked like that which is what the CTS is, the Global A Radios (2010+ Lacrosse) do not work that way unfortunately as they are completely different (CTS is an Alpine unit Early Global A Radios are Denso). I actually have one right now that I'm selling that I used for development (if anyone wants a smoking deal on an unlocked nav radio let me know LOL). CUE is a WHOLE different ball game that utilizes an HMI module dependent of the radio. We do unlock and feature unlocks for those as well.

We offer the VIN unlocking service and the exclusive feature unlocking service which depending on the unit will allow you to watch DVD's while driving, enter addresses etc. Basically everything works regardless of vehicle dynamics and no silly modules to deal with.

I'm not too hard to find but here are just a few youtube videos of what we do.

Global A Radios (Pre Intellilink)
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njk6ABQ0r_g[/ame]

Same Radio I was playing with in my Terrain
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt61S7YXh_I[/ame]

Theres some other junk on the channel you might find interesting as well but

thats the "relevant" stuff for this convo I think 😉

 

[TheRaven]

Any of the GMLAN radios worked like that which is what the CTS is, the Global A Radios (2010+ Lacrosse) do not work that way unfortunately as they are completely different (CTS is an Alpine unit Early Global A Radios are Denso). I actually have one right now that I'm selling that I used for development (if anyone wants a smoking deal on an unlocked nav radio let me know LOL). CUE is a WHOLE different ball game that utilizes an HMI module dependent of the radio. We do unlock and feature unlocks for those as well.

We offer the VIN unlocking service and the exclusive feature unlocking service which depending on the unit will allow you to watch DVD's while driving, enter addresses etc. Basically everything works regardless of vehicle dynamics and no silly modules to deal with.

Good then i'm going to try it my way and if that doesn't work i'll send it to you. Either way we'll get this done and show everyone that it's possible to put navigation in a non-nav car.

 

[GTPprix]

For sho!!!!

 

[Schneeds]

Wouldn't it be a lot easier and more economical just to use a smart phone? 😉

 

[Walt G]

Adding navigation to a non-navigation car is one thing, but what about those of us with a 2012 GS with Navigation which meant we did not get Intellilink? Is it possible to add the Intellilink to make it like the '13s?

I still find it crazy that when you paid extra for Navigation in '12, it deleted Intellilink.

 

[GTPprix]

Adding navigation to a non-navigation car is one thing, but what about those of us with a 2012 GS with Navigation which meant we did not get Intellilink? Is it possible to add the Intellilink to make it like the '13s?

I still find it crazy that when you paid extra for Navigation in '12, it deleted Intellilink.

Sure, just need a 13 Intellilink with Nav Radio silverbox and programming.

 

[TheRaven]

Adding navigation to a non-navigation car is one thing, but what about those of us with a 2012 GS with Navigation which meant we did not get Intellilink? Is it possible to add the Intellilink to make it like the '13s?

I still find it crazy that when you paid extra for Navigation in '12, it deleted Intellilink.

That's what i'm trying to lay out here...exactly what can and can't be done, how to do it, and what you need in order to get it done.

I'm ordering my unit tomorrow, so hopefully this endeavor can get off the ground next weekend.

I will say one thing, good luck finding an intellilink unit. I've been completely unable to source a 2013 model year unit for my Lacrosse. Thus i'm going with a 2012 unit. I'm not the slightest bit concerned about intellilink, I want the Nav and the bigger screen so I can navigate my MP3s more easily.

 

[GTPprix]

You might be in luck!!!! I just looked at the non intellilink NAV calibration and it appears there has been a change in the past year or so that appears to wipe the VIN block out while programming theoretically allowing for a relearn at the dealer. I'm going to try this on the bench right now and see what happens 🙂

 

[cozbyrt]

You might be in luck!!!! I just looked at the non intellilink NAV calibration and it appears there has been a change in the past year or so that appears to wipe the VIN block out while programming theoretically allowing for a relearn at the dealer. I'm going to try this on the bench right now and see what happens 🙂

Did you get a chance to test your theory? Inquiring minds want to know.😀

 

[GTPprix]

Whoops 🙂 yes the non intellilink nav units do reset, hope to figure out if the intellilink ones do soon.

 

[cozbyrt]

So do you think that those of us without a nav could add one?

 

[Walt G]

Whoops 🙂 yes the non intellilink nav units do reset, hope to figure out if the intellilink ones do soon.

Please forgive my stupidity here, but what exactly does this mean?

Sounds like good news (I think). But is it as good as 'you can just put new software into your existing radio and, boom, you'll have your existing Nav PLUS Intellilink' like the '13 Regals have?

Or is it just something a bit less-good than that?

Thanks for helping to educate the less knowledgeable on this subject. I, for one, really appreciate it.

 

[Lancer-AM]

Please forgive my stupidity here, but what exactly does this mean?

Sounds like good news (I think). But is it as good as 'you can just put new software into your existing radio and, boom, you'll have your existing Nav PLUS Intellilink' like the '13 Regals have?

Or is it just something a bit less-good than that?

Thanks for helping to educate the less knowledgeable on this subject. I, for one, really appreciate it.

Essentially it means they should be able to be reprogrammed to a new car. It has not been verified on the Intellilink at this point.

This company claims to sell the units
http://autospatech.com/buick-regal-factory-navigation.html

I haven't found much on them but it does look like people have successfully purchased from the previously. I am still investigating.
http://www.veloster.org/forum/38-hy...-how-install-backup-camera-your-veloster.html

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/tundra/237210-product-review-pre-assembled-tailgate-handle/


They have a backup camera option too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qhVhr-R5ykw#!

 

[TheRaven]

I can save you the trouble..

You will NOT be able to simply upgrade your existing touchscreen nav with the Intellilink software. You will need to replace the "silverbox" with the 2013 unit. The brand new unit from GM can be dropped in "plug-n-play", however that'll run you $2200. We want to use salvage/ebay units, and the problem with those is that they are locked to the vehicle they were built with.

What we are trying to determine for sure is that each unit can be unlocked and reprogrammed to function in a vehicle other than the one it was built with. We know now that it can be done in the Lacrosse and Regal UP TO the Intellilink units (i'm going to do the install on my Lacrosse with a how-to with pics). However the unit i'm doing is not Intellilink, it's a 2012 Nav unit. So I will not be able to prove definitively that you can upgrade to Intellilink.

That said, i'd bet good money it's possible. We just need someone willing to put up for the test bed.

 

[cozbyrt]

Looking forward to your how to TheRaven. What I really want is a backup camera but having navigation is a bonus. I only have the monochrome screen I think it's called. I want it to look stock and not aftermarket. I hope it's possible.

 

[Lancer-AM]

Here is the response I got back from Autospa, it is promising at least.

My apologies for the delayed response on this. The only option we are going to have for you is to replace the existing radio with a new 2013 GM radio that will give you the ability to add Intellilink while retaining your navigation and all other factory features. You will be able to keep the control panel you have currently which will help cut down on some of the cost.

We can sell you the new radio for $999.00, and we will require the replaced radio back, or an additional $300 core charge will apply. This product has just been launched within the last two weeks by us and we are the only ones in the U.S. that has the ability to offer this solution to our customers and this is the factory system and NOT any type of aftermarket system.

There shouldn’t be any problems making this conversion, so if this is something you want to do please let us know and we would be more than happy to get this working for you. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Mark J. Fuller / Manager
Auto Spa Mobile Technologies