Motorola Box in trunk
#11
06-25-2009, 07:44 PM
It was for the Onstar. I removed mine a couple months ago. Came off in less than 5 minutes. The rear window looks much better without it.
#12
06-25-2009, 09:14 PM
Just to muddy the waters, my 05 has the onstar device in the trunk, with the shark fin, but no "cell phone antenna"
the module in the trunk says "OnStar on board" on it. The OnStar subscription is long expired, but the XM is current.
the module in the trunk says "OnStar on board" on it. The OnStar subscription is long expired, but the XM is current.
#14
06-27-2009, 09:40 PM
I think you are all correct, basically. '04 was the last year of the window mount cell phone antenna. '05 went to the shark fin antenna. Onstar runs on both the GPS unit mounted on the rear window tray AND the stronger than average cell phone.
My Onstar module, which was replaced last summer with a new digital unit, is now mounted on the back of my amp rack behind the rear seat, and NOT in it's original location. The cable is plenty long, and it was a simple move. The antenna was replaced with a digital piece, also. So anything NOT replaced with the new digital module (ie the old analog box and antenna) are totally useless.
As for the XM, the XM tuner is mounted to the upper back side of the passenger side rear wheel well, under the carpet. The Onstar has nothing to do with XM, other than starting in '05 they now share the same antenna unit, or the shark fin antenna. I looked at mounting one on my car, but the wiring for that runs up the passenger side of the car, where mine runs up the drivers side, and things got complicated, and my wiring is all ready complicated. And the shark fin was over $100.
So if you're not using Onstar, or for that matter it's an old analog box, go ahead and remove it, move it, or whatever your heart so desires. And if you need to put your window antenna back on, use some 3M trim tape, and just clean everything good with alcohol 1st.
Hope this helps.
My Onstar module, which was replaced last summer with a new digital unit, is now mounted on the back of my amp rack behind the rear seat, and NOT in it's original location. The cable is plenty long, and it was a simple move. The antenna was replaced with a digital piece, also. So anything NOT replaced with the new digital module (ie the old analog box and antenna) are totally useless.
As for the XM, the XM tuner is mounted to the upper back side of the passenger side rear wheel well, under the carpet. The Onstar has nothing to do with XM, other than starting in '05 they now share the same antenna unit, or the shark fin antenna. I looked at mounting one on my car, but the wiring for that runs up the passenger side of the car, where mine runs up the drivers side, and things got complicated, and my wiring is all ready complicated. And the shark fin was over $100.
So if you're not using Onstar, or for that matter it's an old analog box, go ahead and remove it, move it, or whatever your heart so desires. And if you need to put your window antenna back on, use some 3M trim tape, and just clean everything good with alcohol 1st.
Hope this helps.
#15
07-02-2009, 11:12 PM
Go ahead and toss it. It's the Onstar module. And if it's the original one from 2004, then it's complete junk. Because the original 2004 Onstar module is analog. Onstar turned off their analog signal about a year ago. If you wanted Onstar in your car, you'd have to get that module in your trunk replaced with the digital unit. And they would have to put in the "shark fin" antenna on your roof.
If you haven't already taken that 6" cellphone-style antenna off of your rear window, go ahead and take it off. It's only stuck on with double sided foam-tape. Simply use a putty knife. Slowly and carefully go between the glass and the black plastic base. There is no hole or anything in the glass.
Only take the outside portion off. Leave the inside one alone, or else you could ruin your rear defogger lines.
If you haven't already taken that 6" cellphone-style antenna off of your rear window, go ahead and take it off. It's only stuck on with double sided foam-tape. Simply use a putty knife. Slowly and carefully go between the glass and the black plastic base. There is no hole or anything in the glass.
Only take the outside portion off. Leave the inside one alone, or else you could ruin your rear defogger lines.
#16
07-03-2009, 02:07 PM
I yanked it out today. It wasn't even hooked up to an antenna or the gps anyways. I'm going to keep the mounting studs and bracket in place. It will make a perfect spot to mount an amp if I ever decide to add one in the future
#17
02-05-2012, 05:42 PM
Shark Fin Antenna
Does anyone know if the shark fin antenna creates holes in the roof, mine is mounted directly behind the sunroof glass when the roof is open. Anyone removed one yet, please let me know how it went.
#19
02-05-2012, 05:55 PM
the one on the roof should be for ur XM radio also. my tahoe has the same shark fin on the roof and its for the XM says XM right on the shark fin.
