Digistar-B Problem

[markw]

Hi,

I'm replacing the stock head unit, but want to keep the Bose amp in my 2004 H2. I fitted a Soundgate Digistar-B interface but get no chimes and no sound from the new headunit. The interface is very easy to install as it comes with factory connectors so I am certain that I didn't make any mistakes with the installation. I switched back to the factory radio and everything worked OK, so I know the amp and speaker still work. I'm guessing the Digistar-B that I have is broken, or is not compatible with the Bose amp...

Has anyone else fitted this interface? The installation instructions state that there is an issue with 2004 GM vehicles with option UQ7, but I don't think my truck has this.

Thanks,
Mark.

[markw]

Hi,

I'm replacing the stock head unit, but want to keep the Bose amp in my 2004 H2. I fitted a Soundgate Digistar-B interface but get no chimes and no sound from the new headunit. The interface is very easy to install as it comes with factory connectors so I am certain that I didn't make any mistakes with the installation. I switched back to the factory radio and everything worked OK, so I know the amp and speaker still work. I'm guessing the Digistar-B that I have is broken, or is not compatible with the Bose amp...

Has anyone else fitted this interface? The installation instructions state that there is an issue with 2004 GM vehicles with option UQ7, but I don't think my truck has this.

Thanks,
Mark.

[markw]

Hi,

I'm replacing the stock head unit, but want to keep the Bose amp in my 2004 H2. I fitted a Soundgate Digistar-B interface but get no chimes and no sound from the new headunit. The interface is very easy to install as it comes with factory connectors so I am certain that I didn't make any mistakes with the installation. I switched back to the factory radio and everything worked OK, so I know the amp and speaker still work. I'm guessing the Digistar-B that I have is broken, or is not compatible with the Bose amp...

Has anyone else fitted this interface? The installation instructions state that there is an issue with 2004 GM vehicles with option UQ7, but I don't think my truck has this.

Thanks,
Mark.

[PAC]

2004 H2 is different than 2003 H2. The C2R-GM24 would take care of your problem with the chimes and the Bose amp. If you need to retain OnStar, you can use the OS-2BOSE and CM-1.

OnStar interfaces

[markw]

Hi Karl,

I don't need to retain Onstar, but I do want to use the factory Bose amp and have chimes. Isn't the PAC C2R-GM24 intended to use with an aftermarket amp?

It looks like the PAC OS-2Bose and PAC CM1 are needed to do want I want for a 2004 H2...

Thanks,
Mark.

[markw]

I checked with Soundgate tech support and they said that the Digistar-B is not compatible with 2004 H2s with option UQA (which mine is). They also said that what is required for 2004s is a Digistar (not B type) plus XR4 interface. Anyway, I'm not very happy as the installation instructions supplied with the Digistar-B I purchased state that it is compatible with 2003 and 2004 H2s and there is no documentation on their website stating what is required for the 2004. The tech support emailed me a pdf of the install instruction using the Digistar plus XR4... it looks like a real hack (you need to hook up an extra external speaker to reproduce chimes. Anyway, I decided not to go any further down the Soundgate route and ordered a Peripheral GMAH24B (latest revision is .15) and GMAHCM. I was looking at the PAC interfaces listed above, but couldn't find anywhere online that would ship internationally.

[Klaus]

Have you tried Logjam Electronics?

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/

[markw]

Hi Klaus,

Yes I did. From the Logjam website:
" Foreign Orders: It is our company policy not to sell or ship products outside the USA, including Canada and Puerto Rico. It is not a technical issue, nor a capabilities issue, as there are many reasons why we have this policy. We simply choose, as a company, NOT to sell or ship outside the US."

It's often not easy to find companies willing to do International shipping

Thanks for the suggestion anyway...
Mark.

[Klaus]

Mark,

Why don't you have a friend in the U.S. order what you need. It can be shipped to the U.S. address, then re-shipped to you.

If you don't already have an account with UPS or FedEx, get setup with one so your friend can just use your account for the shipping charges.

Hell - Send me the money and what you want, along with a shipper's account number, and I'll do it for you!

[markw]

Hi Klaus,

Thanks for the kind offer...

This time I ended up ordering the Peripheral interface from an online store that would ship Internationally. They were very efficient and shipped what I ordered the same day, so hopefully the parts will arrive soon and I'll be able to complete my install this weekend.

Thanks,
Mark.

[markw]

The Peripheral GMAH24B and GMAHCM arrived and I finished my install today. It's now working perfectly I'll post some pictures of my new system soon...

Mark.

[markw]

One note for anyone installing one of these interfaces... Although the interface wiring harness has a wire marked "Illumination" it doesn't work. I checked the wiring diagram in the H2 service manual and the stock radio connectors don't have an illumination wire (the stock headunit illumination must be controlled over the Class 2 bus?). I ended up taking the illumination signal from the towing button illumination wire.

Something else to be aware of is the factory Bose amp rear input wiring is routed via the rear audio controller. If you disconnect the rear audio control you will not get any sound from the rear speakers. You either need to keep the rear audio controller connected, or connect up the correct wires manually at the rear audio control plug.

Mark

[TMKHUM]

Mark-

I second the issue on the illumination wire. I have a 2003 and installed a PAC audio adapter. The illlumination feed wire does not control the illumination. I'll tap into the illumination from the tow module or transfer case by button module.

Tom