Touchscreen Interface with Bluetooth connected phone

Jovinski · December 2, 2019

Not sure how to title this one, but it's currently blowing my mind (in a bad way) and I am hoping that either the person with Onstar is incorrect or I have something set up incorrect..

Here's what's happening. I missed a call as I was getting into my truck so I waited for my phone to connect as I pulled out, then hit Recents on the screen and then tried to call the person that called me. A message came up and said that I had no OnStar minutes and therefore couldn't complete the call until I bought more. So I tried direct dialing and then from Favorites and got the same message. I then used my phone, initiated the call and my truck immediately routed the call through the bluetooth.

OnStar told me that I could not use the infotainment screen to make calls, as that routed it through OnStar (can only use the steering wheel buttons, WTF?). I just don't see how that is possible. Why can I answer calls from the screen, but not make them?

If this is the case, and I have to use the cord to activate Android Auto or Apple Carplay, then what's the point of having wireless charging and bluetooth at all?

My phone is correctly synced, plays music, answers calls, etc.

Any idea? Or is that they way it is??

Ryno12 · December 2, 2019

That seems bizarre. You should be able to use the Infotainment interface to answer and make calls when you’re phone is connected via Bluetooth.
I’m wondering if it’s some flaky Infotainment glitch. I’ve ran into similar situations where my phone was connected via Bluetooth & I was streaming music. I went to make a call but the Infotainment acted like my phone wasn’t connected. It said “no phone connected” even though my phone was listed as being connected & I was actively streaming music.
I had to kill Bluetooth & turn it back on, then it was happy.

Jovinski · December 3, 2019

Thanks Ryan. I'm glad to know that's not ok. When I went home, it was working normally, so just a ghost in the system. It's just breathtaking how little GM people (OnStar operators, sales guys) know about these trucks. OnStar guy said that's how it is supposed to be. My sales agent didn't know how to expand the radio favorites, turn off the auto high-beams, etc. I could go on, but as many times as I have purchased cars, I should better...