Chevrolet Equinox Activating Remote start…. Without the kit or code….

Hello all,

I’d like to start by saying that I’ve had an ongoing saga with attempting to activate remote start on my 2007 Equinox as inexpensively as possible, however, I may have finally cracked the code.

Just a quick note: This was first created in Microsoft Word and then copied to the site, and, there are some odd discrepancies, like, misplaced words and incorrect words. I will try to make the corrections as I catch them.

First of all, a little history to keep in mind: EVERY GM vehicle manufactured after 2006 is Remote Start capable. Even if it does not have the Remote Start option code on the glove box sticker or in the vehicle build of AP8, it WILL have the code in the vehicle database. This often perplexes most GM Dealer Service Centers to the point to where they may flat out refuse to activate remote start for your vehicle, or, may attempt to push you to buy a $250 kit with an activation code, which, if you follow along, you will not need.

First, let’s cover everything you’ll need:

- A laptop computer.

- A GM MDI unit. You may want to purchase one of these from an online store and can be purchased for $130 to $200 with WiFi if you search carefully.

- An ACDelco SPS subscription from here for $55 for the 2 day subscription: https://www.acdelcotds.com/acdelco/action/subscribehome.

- Tech2Win Diagnostic Software.

- A free HEX file editor.

- A VIN from a vehicle of same make, model and year as yours that may potentially have Remote Start. This can be easily obtained on Craigslist simply by doing a Cars and Trucks search for your vehicle’s year and model and adding the word “VIN” to the search. For example: “2007 Equinox VIN.” In the search, look for models most likely to have remote start. In the case of Chevrolet, it could be in LT2 and LTZ trim levels, and or vehicles with leather interior. If you are unable to locate a potential vehicle in your area, try changing areas, like, for example, looking in Los Angeles, California.

- Any GM OMRON Remote Control Door Lock Receiver with Remote Start made from 2006 to 2013, and, possibly newer.

- An extended range antenna. If looking in a junk yard, the best vehicle to get this from would be a 2006 to 2013 Chevrolet Impala and it can be found in the driver’s side front window pillar under the plastic cover.

- The Remote Start wiring harness and hood latch. You can at least find the harness in any GM Vehicle with remote start made from 2006 and up and it should have the 3 prong plug. If you cannot find the hood latch, then, obtain, at least, the hood latch side end plug with enough wire on it to solder together from another GM vehicle. HHR’s are the most accessible.

- 2 conduit cable. Shielded audio cable recommended.

- The remotes with the remote start button at the top. These can be purchased rather cheaply on eBay.

- Soldering iron and solder.

- A drill and bits as well as a 7MM or 9/32 socket and proper socket adapter.

- A T-40 Torx driver or bit.

- A Flathead screwdriver.

Now, onto the installation. Remember to solder and tape wiring connections. DO NOT USE WIRING CONNECTORS.

First, let’s start with the Remote Control Door Lock Receiver:

On an Equinox, the original receiver should be located under the plastic cover panels on the rear passenger quarter panel next to the window and below the seatbelt guide. To access, remove the lower plastic cover panel first, then, if unable to remove the upper panel completely, or, the seatbelt guide, simply pull out the panel enough to be able to reach and remove the original receiver and install the replacement with remote start and the antenna. Install the antenna by plugging it into the receiver, then running up the inside of that panel and into the headliner. Tuck it, running toward the rear, into the headliner.

Re-assemble all of the parts, and proceed to do a Remote and TPMS learn via the DIC.

Next, you’ll want to install the wire harness under the hood. You only need to connect the Purple and the Pink/Black wires to the BCM. The black wire on the harness can be connected to any nearby ground.

To run the wires to the BCM. Attach the Purple and the Pink/Black wires to your 2 conduit cable, run it along the driver’s side under the hood, and, then through the rubber pass-thru grommet on the driver’s side under the dash and steering column. This grommet will have a thick red wire, and you’ll need to drill a small hole through the grommet next to that, then, push the 2 conduit cable through that small hole verifying that the cable goes through tightly to prevent leaks.

Pull this cable through to the center dash where the BCM is located. On an Equinox, You may access the BCM by removing the shift knob (Note: May need to shift vehicle into neutral with the parking brake on.), and remove the center cover by removing the lower front cover by gently pulling it off toward the rear of the vehicle, unplug the window switches, gently pull up and out the cover, gently remove the TCS button by popping it out with a flathead screw driver, unplug the HVAC, then, unplug the DIC buttons, Hazard Switch, Passenger Presence Warning Indicator, and Wiper/Fog Lamp Buttons.

Once removed, you should notice the BCM right there and multi-colored plugs. At this point, you may also shift the vehicle back into park and may want to run the engine for a little bit to charge the battery due to needing it charged later.

The Purple wire from the harness attaches to the Purple wire on the Brown plug (plug 5) of the BCM at pin 15. This wire will be there due to the fact that, yes, all GM vehicles from 2006 and up come AP8 ready.

The Pink/Black wire from the harness attaches to the Pink/Black wire on the Black plug (plug 4) of the BCM at pin 17. Please note, if you unplug this plug, and have the engine running, it will turn off because this plug is main power to the BCM, so, it is best to turn the key off before attaching this wire.

Once all connections are soldered and taped, you may now want to reassemble your center dash.

Next, you may now install your hood latch and plug it in, but, do not close the hood yet. If using the end plug method, solder and tape the purple wire to the black wire, but, do not plug it in yet.

Now, for the research and programming side:

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY SO AS NOT TO DAMAGE YOUR VEHICLE’S BODY CONTROL MODULE.

First thing you’ll want to do is go to the GM ACDelco Tis2Web site here: https://tis2web.service.gm.com...

Next, enter your vehicle’s VIN and click “Get CAL ID.” Next, click “Next,” then under the selections, select “Body Control Module,” and, click “Next.”

From here, select “System” which should be highlighted in red due to having more than one configuration. Click “Next.” TAKE NOTE OF THE CALIBRATION SELECTION PART NUMBERS. YOU WILL NEED THESE LATER.

Do not use the browser back button, use the website “Back” button to go back, or, simply reload the Tis2Web main page.

From here, enter the VIN of the potential vehicle of same year and model with Remote Start. Follow the exact same steps of above. AGAIN, TAKE NOTE OF THE CALIBRATION SELECTION PART NUMBERS THAT SHOULD BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM YOURS.

Example: A 2007 Chevrolet Equinox without Remote Start should have the Calibration Part Numbers of 25828506 and 25828508.

The Calibration Part numbers of the same vehicle with Remote Start should be 25828507 and 25828509.

Also, take note that the different part numbers will say absolutely nothing about Remote Start. This might be simply why a representative needs a special code.

At this point, if you want to try to legitimately add the Remote Start to your vehicle’s programming selections, you may want to call ACDelco Customer Service and support at 888-212-8959 which is the aftermarket helpdesk. You may want to ask the representative if there is a way they can add the part numbers you have determined to possibly have remote start to your SPS programming database for your VIN. If they refuse, or, cannot add them, or, need a code, you may proceed with the following:

MAKE SURE THAT YOUR VEHICLE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED BEFORE PROCEEDING. It is recommended that you Clear DTC’s and run the engine for roughly 2 to 5 minutes between every 2 to 4 updates depending on how much time they take.

First, log into GM ACDelco SPS and input your vehicle’s information and proceed with your VIN. Run all of the calibration updates. CAREFULLY LOOK FOR UPDATES PERTAINING TO REMOTE START AND USE THOSE. The Remote Control Door Lock Receiver will have an update For Vehicles with Remote Start, however this will not yet activate it, unless you got the representative to add the Calibration Part Number earlier.

PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK FOR THESE NEXT STEPS. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU BRICK YOUR BODY CONTROL MODULE:

Select the “New VIN” button in SPS and manually enter the VIN of the potential vehicle with Remote Start and click “Next.” Select the “Body Control Module,” and proceed as if you were about to update the Calibrations under your VIN. Take note that “System” will be the ONLY one different from the rest. Run the updates. This is to get the calibration files cached. NOTE: RUNNING A BODY CONTROL MODULE UPDATE UNDER A DIFFERENT VIN WILL STORE THAT VIN ONTO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS ONLY TEMPORARY.

To verify that this is and will be a calibration with Remote Start, Clear the DTCs, and then, restart your vehicle to verify you get the “HOOD OPEN” Warning on the DIC.

If you want to verify that the configuration actually will fully work, you may have to clear a check engine warning light by using Tech2Win to walk you through a Crank Shaft Position Sensor Relearn procedure. Verify that ALL other engine DTCs are cleared. There might be an ABS and Traction control DTC. This is due to the different VIN on the BCM.

Turn off the engine. Close the hood or plug in the hood latch end plug. Lock all doors with none open. With the Remote Start remote, press the lock button once then hold the Remote Start button. The vehicle should start. Just before it starts, you’ll notice what sounds like a little boot-up sequence. To turn off, simply press the Remote Start button on the remote just once.

Now to get the VIN on the BCM corrected, and keep Remote Start:

On the computer you used to update and program the vehicle, open your user profile folder. You should notice a new folder in there named “sps.” Open that folder and look for the folder named “spsCache.” Open that folder and you’ll notice blank files with the Calibration Part numbers. Look for both the files with the Calibration Part Numbers of both your original Body Control Module System calibration and the vehicle with Remote Start Calibration and back them up.

After backing it up, delete the file of your original calibration in that folder.

Open the file of the of the Body Control Module System Remote Start calibration with a HEX editor. MAKE SURE THAT THE EDITOR IS ON “INSERT” MODE AND NOT “OVERWRITE” BY USING THE “INSERT” KEY ON YOUR KEYBOARD. In the right pane, within the first few lines, you’ll see the calibration number followed by a “.bin.” place your cursor at that “.” And delete the calibration number by using backspace, then input your original calibration number. Save the modified file as your original calibration file name.

Now, go back into SPS with your vehicle’s configuration and VIN and update the Body Control Module.

If none of the above works, then, go back to the VIN of the same vehicle, same year, with remote start, and, reprogram, your Body Control Module, Engine Control Module, Transmission Control Module, Anti-lock Brake Control Module, Power Steering Control Module, and radio all under that VIN to change the encoded VINs in those modules. You may get several pop-ups for each module stating that you're attempting to reprogram these modules with the same Calibration as already is on the module. Just click "OK" and continue. You may want to go back and verify the VIN change with Tech2Win. Advise a GM service center what you had done temporarily to achieve remote start whenever you take it in for service. Advise them that the VIN that comes up in SPS is correct for this time.

Clear DTC’s, do the Crank position Sensor Relearn, match the SDM key (Under New procedures in Tech2Win on either Body Control Module or Supplemental Restraint), and, you should now officially have Factory Remote Start.

IF you use the last method, the only issue you may have is that XM may Theftlock. If you don't use XM, I recommend simply unplugging the module, however, if you do use XM, you may have to remove the XM receiver and take it apart. Look for an 8 legged chip numbered 09400464. Using a soldering iron and a very thin flat headed precision screwdriver, very carefully de-solder and un-attach pin 8 (pin opposite side the dot) from the board. Re-assemble and plug your XM receiver back in and all will work as normal.

Reasons to do this:

- You get the parts for less than the kit.

- A dealer will not only charge you for the kit, but, anywhere from $134 or more for labor, and, from the nightmare stories I have heard, somehow, they seem to somehow completely miss the BCM update for Remote Start, and get confused.

"I can has Remote Start???" "Yes, you can has Remote start."

I hope this helps some.

Starflare5.

P.S: A special note for 2007 Theta Vehicles and possibly some others: After freshly reprogramming an updated calibration to the Transmission Control Module, Engine Control Module, and, Anti-Lock Brake Control Module, after about 60 miles or so, you may get an odd error that will temporarily disable Stabilitrak. Basically, the error on the Transmission Control Module comes up as just "Torque Signal," and, the error on the Anti-Lock Brake Control Module comes up as "Invalid Serial Data." If you undo the battery cable for up to 2 minutes, the errors should clear, however, if you clear them via a scanner or Tech2Win, clear the error on the Transmission Module first, then the Anti-Lock Brake Module. This error only happens once and I am unsure why it occurs... Possibly a small glitch in the software or an excuse to return to the dealership?