So I tried to get XM satellite radio and spoke to a rep. After taking all my info and paying, it wasn't working. I called back and they said an unknown error keeps occuring with my service. I said just to refund the money, which they did. The rep suggested I get a friend to register my device to their account and pay the difference, which sound fishy to me. What do you guys think I should do? I'm dying for satellite radio since there's nothing but trash on the radio.
No XM For Me :(
- Thread starter AquaLady
- Start date
That sounds very strange the rep said there is an "unknown" error happening with your service and they have no idea why. Is there any issue with the radio/has the radio been used with XM before you had it? Dumb question, but did you double check the Radio ID to make sure they had the correct number? If it does not work by setting up your own account, I am not sure why the rep thinks it will work by going through someone elses account 
I guess if you want it bad enough and have a good friend that has an XM account, you could try to have them add your radio to their account and see what happens. Maybe they can set you up for a free trial period to see if your radio will work by adding it to another account or keep harrassing them to figure out what the issue is. I don't see why they would let a new customer walk away so easily.
XM radio is great. I have had it since I bought my TB back in 2008. It comes in handy for road trips and traveling, plus since I moved to WV, the radio stations around here are garbage. No good rock stations at all, but about 15 country stations. I can only listen to so much country.
I guess if you want it bad enough and have a good friend that has an XM account, you could try to have them add your radio to their account and see what happens. Maybe they can set you up for a free trial period to see if your radio will work by adding it to another account or keep harrassing them to figure out what the issue is. I don't see why they would let a new customer walk away so easily.
XM radio is great. I have had it since I bought my TB back in 2008. It comes in handy for road trips and traveling, plus since I moved to WV, the radio stations around here are garbage. No good rock stations at all, but about 15 country stations. I can only listen to so much country.
blazinlow89
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I gave up on XM after my old radio stopped working randomly. I replaced the entire system and it still had issues. They refused to refund the service for 4 months, it started working again a couple weeks before the membership expired. This was with my Panasonic and the all the required cables and antennas.
I will stick with Pandora, at least until I get in the real boonies and have no service.
As for your issue you are having, the radio could be under another account which was delinquent, it could be a bad receiver, or the radio may not have picked up the command from XM.
I will stick with Pandora, at least until I get in the real boonies and have no service.
As for your issue you are having, the radio could be under another account which was delinquent, it could be a bad receiver, or the radio may not have picked up the command from XM.
The previous owner gave me the serial number to the radio, his old account login to xm and double checked the radio id to no avail. It worked For the previous owner but not for me. If this keeps up im gonna get a new head unit and start all over.
How does Pandora work? I have the app on my phibe. Do I need a touch screen HU for it?
How does Pandora work? I have the app on my phibe. Do I need a touch screen HU for it?
IllogicTC
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AquaLady said:
Perhaps the old owner indeed went delinquent on payment or something. Did you double-check by turning the radio to XM Channel 0? It's also important to note that when you're getting the activation signal sent the vehicle needs to be on, I believe radio on with it tuned to Channel 0. I can't remember specifically, but the website and the owner's manual explain it pretty good between the two of them.
I don't believe any of the factory HUs had an aux port function. Some people modify the link to the XM module to install a USB port, which is used to tap into their radio with Pandora or the like. Others may settle for just buying one of those goofy things you plug in and it transmits on a particular FM radio channel.
blazinlow89
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GMTNation - $3.00 Aux input via XM interface
Here is the one for an aux port. I havent seen the one for USB.
In the Trailblazer I use bluetooth for Pandora, the radio in the Avalanche has an aux port from the factory. I prefer the bluetooth as it connects as soon as I get in the truck. My head unit is an XAV-62BT. Pretty cheap and you get a lot of features.
Here is the one for an aux port. I havent seen the one for USB.
In the Trailblazer I use bluetooth for Pandora, the radio in the Avalanche has an aux port from the factory. I prefer the bluetooth as it connects as soon as I get in the truck. My head unit is an XAV-62BT. Pretty cheap and you get a lot of features.
STLtrailbSS
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STLtrailbSS
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Follow the link that Blazinlow posted it shows you how to splice into the XM harness to gain an AUX channel by switching to XM on the OEM radio. I would always recomnend upgrading if its in your budget to an Aftermarket head unit.
Only reason I say Spotify is I have switched over completely, its $9.99 a month for mobile use license any song you want whenever AND radio no commercials ever.
https://www.spotify.com/us/
Only reason I say Spotify is I have switched over completely, its $9.99 a month for mobile use license any song you want whenever AND radio no commercials ever.
https://www.spotify.com/us/
STLtrailbSS
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A Stereo install is a great way to expand your technical knowledge, I guarantee the most frustrating part of the experience will be pulling the dash bezel. The radio is eeassyy simple connection of same colored wires with a harness.... The site offers great resource and I have no problem responding to any questions a shop is going to overcharge as always if its just a head unit swap you are looking to do its a 4/10 on difficulty may take awhile especially being a first time but it is not difficult.
GMTnation+Youtube can you save you money.
GMTnation+Youtube can you save you money.
TexazReece
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When they sent the signal was your gmt out in the open ( no in a garage, under a bridge, etc. )? This could be one of the reasons for you not getting a signal and also make sure you have it set to the xm station 
. I hope this works but if it doesn't the mod for aux port or the route with Spotify would be a good way to 
. I hope this works but if it doesn't the mod for aux port or the route with Spotify would be a good way to
IllogicTC
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AquaLady said:
Cell phone signals are different from XM. XM is a satellite radio service - they literally beam the radio station data up to a satellite, where it then comes back down and provides tunes and entertainment. This is how only two satellites cover the entire continental U.S.
The little stubby antenna on top is actually for OnStar cell service. The XM is either a discrete pod opposite the antenna, or integrated into the base of the antenna unit I believe. It may have a pod in some well-hidden spot but it seems to me the antenna base does it.
Instrumental
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First and most important question: do you get the preview channel when you are on the XM band? If so, clearly your hardware is fine and the tech is not so bright. Lots of people have had good luck calling back until you get someone useful. As a matter of fact, I think if you hit the onstar button and ask about XM activation they give you a number to a call center that is NOT in India. This is a bonus.
Oh, and did you confirm the radio ID for yourself? I think it's channel 0 on XM and you hit the display button.
Good luck!
Oh, and did you confirm the radio ID for yourself? I think it's channel 0 on XM and you hit the display button.
Good luck!
Playsinsnow
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AquaLady said:
No you're not you have 40 posts already.
A lot of your questions have been answered. Do a quick search in bar above. You'll gain so much in reading some of the great threads out there.
Just beware the mod bug. A new head unit or the $3 interface link posted above are the popular routes. XM is great for cross country travel or if you are in the country where constantly having to charge a phone/mp3 player becomes a hassle.
blazinlow89
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IllogicTC said:It only takes 100 posts to have "Senior Member" under your name, I think
And you call yourself a moderator
WarGawd
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AquaLady said:
FWIW, I had XM for, I believe, the six month complementary offer when you buy a used GM. IMHO, there were very few channels that had content I liked, and after a short time I started to hear a LOT of repetition in the programming. I didn't renew.
