Circuit/System Description
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Saturn Outlook, 2009 GMC Acadia, 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2009 Buick Enclave. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The OnStar® button assembly consists of 3 buttons, Call/Answer, OnStar® Call Center, and OnStar® Emergency. The communication interface module (CIM) supplies the OnStar® button assembly with 10 volts via the keypad supply voltage circuit. Each of the buttons, when pressed, completes the circuit across a resistor allowing a specific voltage to be returned to the CIM over the keypad signal circuit. Depending upon the voltage range returned, the CIM is able to identify which button has been activated.