Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Cellular and GPS Antennas
The combination antenna will have any of the following antenna elements when equipped with OnStar:
- Primary cellular element
- Secondary cellular element
- GPS element
- Digital radio element
- AM/FM element
The Gen 10 OnStar® system uses 2 cellular antenna elements to send and receive cellular data, the primary cellular element and the secondary cellular element. The primary cellular signal is carried by a coax cable that connects the antenna directly to the telematics communication interface control module. Details of the secondary cellular signal are further described below.
The GPS antenna element is used to collect the signals of the orbiting GPS satellites. Within the antenna is housed a low noise amplifier that allows for a more broad and precise reception of this data. Also housed within the antenna is circuitry to combine the GPS signal and the secondary cellular signal. Without navigation, the combination GPS/secondary cellular signal is carried by a coax cable that connects directly to the telematics communication interface control module. The cable also provides a path for DC current for powering the antenna. With navigation, the combination GPS/secondary cellular signal is carried by a coax cable that connects to the navigation signal splitter. The splitter supplies the GPS signal to the navigation/entertainment system and the GPS/cellular signal to the telematics communication interface control module.
The digital radio element collects digital radio signals from two satellites and where necessary terrestrial repeaters. The digital radio signal is carried by a coax cable and connected to the digital radio receiver. Refer to Radio/Audio System Description and Operation for further details.
The radio signal is sent from a broadcast station and is then received by the AM/FM radio antenna element. The AM/FM radio signal is carried by a coax cable and is connected to the radio. Refer to Radio/Audio System Description and Operation for further details.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.