I'm probably going to get very limited responses in this forum for this but I should at least try.

I'm going to change out my VCIM for one that has bluetooth. I've read in a couple of places of this being done in Tahoes and Escalades. Has anyone else done this? I'm not really interested in spending $300 on the costar but I'll try this $100 route. I'm going to go w/ this one
Bluetooth OnStar Receiver 20842731 VCIM Module New | eBay

Because it looks like the same harness as the 2008 H2 as seen here:



Any other 08 owners look into this? Is the 08 have a class 2 OnStar unit? I think that's the only thing I need to get right.

 

I talked to the ebay seller of VCIM 20842731 and it's a gen 8.0 which is very unlikely to work. So the search continues.

 

I got the COSTAR unit. It didn't work and when I contacted their customer support they said try the volume. It still doesn't work. Good idea to make this, poor execution. I keep the unit, since I can't return it and they insist it should work, in hopes that someone smart will tell me really how to make it work

 

I have read threads where guy have sold their costar in favor of the VCIM route.

 

Hey guys, not so sure about what the onstar stuff is about, as I am in Russia at the moment, but I ordered and installed this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a premium headunit (non nav) in my 08-09, and this harness gave me bluetooth and iphone usage in my wagon. Works perfectly. Hope this might be of use to someone else. Very limited info on our models out there.

 

I'm trying to retain/reuse the onstar microphone and stock VCIM. For me, it's just a cleaner approach.

 

ok got it. Sorry couldn't help.

 

I finally received my 20827036 VCIM and installed it. The bluetooth works great, it's one of the best sounding bluetooth systems I've tried. The install went just as described here: 2008 hummer h2 Bluestar Install - Hummer Forums by Elcova

I'll repost those images b/c they are the only ones I could find regarding getting to the vcim in a 08-09.

The only hitch was figuring out how to pair the phone. From reading it sounds like you use the OnStar menu to pair the phone but actually it's the radio bluetooth voice (slightly different than Onstar voice).

So far I am happy I did this mod. I probably paid too much for the vcim at $170 shipped w/ antenna but I got caught in a bidding war at the end.