| mdxvt1 |
There will soon be a TSB issued with respect to the Onstar phone system and the 2005 MDX, resulting from the failure of the system to retain minutes (or "units" as the system calls them) purchased or otherwise downloaded to the MDX.
I personally have had Acura attempt to repair it twice without success. For now, the only repair is that Onstar will issue, as needed, additional minutes to your system (best to do this while in the car) since the minutes will "disappear" within a few days after download. |
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| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by mdxvt1
There will soon be a TSB issued ...Onstar will issue, as needed, additional minutes to your system (best to do this while in the car) since the minutes will "disappear" within a few days after download.
I've had my Onstar minutes for almost a year now, and they haven't disappeared. Under what circumstances do they disappear, and how many MDX;s does this happen to? |
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| mdxvt1 |
| Not sure of the number, but Acura dealer indicated that the number of problems were increasing and warranted the TSB. They are not sure why it happens, but that its a combination of hardware and software in the MDX, and the repairs they have undertaken (with no long term success) on my car are all they have been advised on by Acura. |
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| socalJD |
| Took possession of my '05 in mid August, to date I have not had any issues with my OnStar units - altho I'm still on the initial complimentary 30 minutes . . . I wonder if the problem is with those who bought add'l minutes ??? |
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| Maldoman |
| I purchased additional 100 minutes for $19.95 after my 30 ran out, On Star tried twice and could not download the minutes. They referred me to dealer for the fix!! They told me they were having allot of problems with the downloads? :confused: |
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| allanbiats |
quote:
Originally posted by Maldoman
I purchased additional 100 minutes for $19.95 after my 30 ran out, On Star tried twice and could not download the minutes. They referred me to dealer for the fix!! They told me they were having allot of problems with the downloads? :confused:
I activated the OnStar with the sales associate as part of the delivery procedure. They said it could take as much as 48 hours for it to be completely activated.
About a week later, I originated a call from my OnStar, as a test. Then I asked my wife to call me from the house phone and it would not go through, and it wouldn't, it just stopped ringing on her end after 3 rings and it never rang in the car at all.
I called OnStar technical service that evening and they confirmed that there was a problem. They had me go into the car and call them and then they downloaded new information to the unit; it took about 11 minutes altogether. It does work fine now for incoming and outgoing calls.
They aplogized and gave me an additional 30 minutes of talk time as compensation for my problems and siad the minutes would not expire until September of 06, unlike the first 30 that expire in 60 days.
I check the minutes often and they haven't leaked down yet, and its been a couple of weeks now, but I haven't used it either. I do plan to buy the additional minutes, since its a good value, at least for OnStar minutes.
I asked OnStar Tech Support about minutes leaking down in Acura MDXs and she was aware of it. She said if it happened, they would not be able to restore minutes until I had the software flash applied at the Acura dealer.
hth |
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| mdxvt1 |
| I was just contacted by my Acura dealership and they informed that they have been given a repair plan from Acura for the problem and it involves, among other things, replacing my entire GPS system in my car. I do not know all the details but will post them once I have gone through the repair process. I also do not know if Acura has formally issued the new TSB, but will inquire about that too. |
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| trstack |
I've purchased 100 minutes twice since taking delivery of my 2005 MDX in December 2004. Both times, the minutes disappeared within days of purchasing them.
If I made two 3 minutes calls it was alot.
Since I always carry my cellphine and I use Bluetooth I thought it would take me at least a year to use the OnStar minutes.
Please post any additional info on the "service bulletin".
Thanks! |
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| SuperTech |
This is a known problem with the MDX and RL. American Honda issued a TSB for this around last week or so. Dealers should have the materials required to perform this TSB already.
The solution for this does not involve replacement of any parts. The OnStar unit is matched by serial number to the VIN at the factory. The dealer will have to remove the unit from your MDX, connect a computer to it through a special cable and update the software in the control unit and have any lost minutes added again by OnStar Technical Assistance. |
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| mdxvt1 |
Thanks for the information about the TSB (it was the dealer who advised me that my gps unit was replaced). I will let you know if it works now.
On a related note, if you have Verizon as your cell service, they have an "onstar" plan that allows you to share your cell phone minutes with your onstar line. Thus, you do not need to use your bluetooth or purchase a bluetooth enabled phone. |
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| Maldoman |
quote:
Originally posted by mdxvt1
Thanks for the information about the TSB (it was the dealer who advised me that my gps unit was replaced). I will let you know if it works now.
On a related note, if you have Verizon as your cell service, they have an "onstar" plan that allows you to share your cell phone minutes with your onstar line. Thus, you do not need to use your bluetooth or purchase a bluetooth enabled phone.
Whats the additional cost to your Verizon bill?
:31: |
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| mdxvt1 |
| $10 per month for the additional line, but the rate and minutes available are better than the family plan I signed up for within the past year. Thus, at the end of the day, I pay the same amount for 3 lines (wife's, car and mine) and get 300 minutes more a month. And, most importantly, I can use those minutes in my car, which I find has better coverage than my cell. |
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| crxb |
quote:
Originally posted by SuperTech
This is a known problem with the MDX and RL. American Honda issued a TSB for this around last week or so. Dealers should have the materials required to perform this TSB already.
The solution for this does not involve replacement of any parts. The OnStar unit is matched by serial number to the VIN at the factory. The dealer will have to remove the unit from your MDX, connect a computer to it through a special cable and update the software in the control unit and have any lost minutes added again by OnStar Technical Assistance.
brought my mdx into the dealer today for the onstar fix
the dealer service rcpt says "replace onstar unit"
not sure what they did, but after I called OnStar they were finally able to get my minutes (units) to my car |
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| Orgen1 |
I have the same problem with my extra 100 minutes.
I have my repair appoinment for on start this week and the order read replace on start hardware. :confused:
hardware software? |
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| mdxvt1 |
| They replace the software, not the hardware, since each unit is documented to the vehicle you purchased. I have had no problems since the repair. |
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| valentge |
Hi!
Did you ever get the Verizon Cell Phone service combined with your Acura?
OnStar has told me that it is not available with Acuras on several occasions?
They told me only GM cars get that feature.
I'm thinking you went to Verizon directly and just added the car's number and circumvented the OnStar people?
Regards,
George V. |
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| mdxvt1 |
| Only certain people in Verizon and On-Star are aware of this and unfortunately you have to go up the ladder (and then laterally) to get to the right area. Do not go to Verizon stores as they have NO CLUE. Best bet is still Verizon. |
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| allanbiats |
This is a link to the Verizon site that has info about using your OnStar phone with your regular Verizon cell phone.
Verizon Link
Its called The Americas Choice plan with Onstar.
It mentions that you need digital phone hardware in your OnStar vehicle and that its available in certain areas that you can check by zip code.
hope that helps |
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| valentge |
Thanks guys for the information ... it's back to the drawing board.
I'll contact Verizon tomorrow. It doesn't seem like this should be such a big confusion factor.
It's either they do it or they don't and since you have it on an Acura with the needed 'digital' equipment then it's an administrative snafoo.
BYE! |
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| pianoman41 |
| Just got the TSB for this Saturday in the mail. We've added minutes to the phone and so far they haven't disappeared, but I figure I'll get this taken care of anyway. And while they have it for the day I'll have them take care of the subwoofer rattle too. |
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| pianoman41 |
quote:
Originally posted by pianoman41
Just got the TSB for this Saturday in the mail. We've added minutes to the phone and so far they haven't disappeared, but I figure I'll get this taken care of anyway. And while they have it for the day I'll have them take care of the subwoofer rattle too.
So I went to take care of the OnStar bulletin Friday as well as the subwoofer rattle. I was not losing any minutes but I figured it would be better to be safe than sorry, so I had them do the update. Picked up the vehicle and they said it was all set. On the way home I tried the OnStar to make sure it worked and it said "Insufficient units" and connected me to the place where I could order more. Called OnStar customer service and they said my account had zero minutes. Nice!! So I hadn't lost any minutes before, but the fix for losing minutes lost all my minutes. :3: :3: Luckily, OnStar was very accommodating and added the minutes back no questions asked. But it would have been nice if Acura had either (a) checked this in advance before giving me back the vehicle, or (b) warned the customer that this might happen and what to do to correct it. I would have hated for my wife to be stranded somewhere and tried to use the OnStar for calling and not been able to. |
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| Maldoman |
| Just had my On Star repaired for not holding minutes, I called them before I picked up my X and told them that my X was being worked on for the re call. On Star checked and found Zero minutes in the system. They reinstalled the 100 minutes I purchased about 2 months ago and gave me back the original 30 minutes for my inconvenience. That was really nice of them. Anyway all is well, they told me it would take about 2 hours for the download to be complete, dealer software install and the new minutes. A Happy Ending :4: |
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| jeffhuffman |
| i have the same problem on my 05,only had since dec 28 .like it very much.is there a number or code i need to tell my dealer?when i called the dealer they acted as if this was something they didnt know about. |
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| Maldoman |
quote:
Originally posted by jeffhuffman
i have the same problem on my 05,only had since dec 28 .like it very much.is there a number or code i need to tell my dealer?when i called the dealer they acted as if this was something they didnt know about.
No!! Just tell them On Star directed you to have the fix done so they could download the minutes you needed. It’s a software issue at the dealer end and there supposed to fix the problem. Any problems form the dealer acting stupid, refer them to On Star, they will get them straight. :4: |
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| lukeaa |
Took the 2005 MDX to the dealer after the Onstar unit ate my minutes. Dealer did his deal. Then had to have Onstar do their deal twice. I ragged them about the time it took and demanded 400 minutes to compensate me for my time and they rolled over and added them.
I still do not like the sound that the MDX mic puts out on phone calls. Sounds like I am in a large room. Has anyone upgraded the MDX microphone so it sounds better? |
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| btgamble |
| I am a new MDX owner. I have not utilized my OnStar phone yet. I know that I have an initial 30 minutes for 60 days but after I start to use the minutes, how do I check what I have left? |
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| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by btgamble
after I start to use the minutes, how do I check what I have left?
You can ask the system. There's an audio command like Status, Minutes or something. THe system then asks if you want to add minutes or check your remaining minutes.
The Owners Manual. It's a wonderful thing. |
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