My new company supplied vehicle is an '09 HHR LS that unfortunately was delivered with build codes:

U2J: Delete, XM satellite radio
UE0: Delete, Onstar

Being a fleet order this doesn't suprise me.

Anyway, I want to find what I need to hook up the XM. The radio does have the CAT button and the car does have the little black antenna on the center of the rear roof. I would assume most of the stuff is already there minus the XM reciever box and maybe some cable. There is a fairly well stocked late model salvage yard nearby that I could probably pull some parts from cheaply.

 

I just ordered the GM XM kit for my 06 hhr, about 200 shipped from gmpartsdirect.com. The instructions indicate that Onstar is required (not sure why) and the correct stereo, if yours has the cat button you should be good far as the radio goes. I would suggest making sure that the kit will work with your car before you go that route. You could always just get an aftermarket unit that way you won't lose your equipment if your company switches your car or takes it back. If you could get the equipment from a junk car cheap then I would say that you have nothing to lose if you wanted to try.

 

There is no XM upgrade on 2009 HHRs from GM at this time.

 

Hmm, after doing some reading I have noticed that without Onstar the factory XM feature (which is run through it somehow) won't be there either. I wonder just how much of each is left (as far as cables, factory wiring integration, etc) with the deletes? If it was just a simple matter of plugging in a couple of modules/boxes from the salvage yard into existing harnesses in the rear area of the '09 that would be too easy. I would be willing to bet they aren't there.

 

For the time and trouble, get yourself a cheap hang on. I have used a Delphi Roady in my 2006 and now have a Pioneer Inno. You can plug it into the AUX jack on the front of the factory radio and you will have no fading. I did find that I had to use the headphone jack on my Inno to get good loud input. I realize it's not a factory setup, but the programming is the same. If you find a pre "sure connect" add on, it will transmit and you can tune it in on the FM band. FCC mandates have crippled this feature.

Supposedly Audiovox/Terk makes a device XMGM4 that will give you XM through the factory head. http://store.xmfanstore.com/xmdirect...les-xmgm4.html These are about $200.

 

I have one of the aftermarket XM systems that works with the factory radio. Your radio must have the CAT button. I only used it for one month before I traded in my 2006 HHR to a 2008 HHR that already has the factory XM. The aftermarket unit works just like the factory unit. So send me a private message here or a direct email if you are interested. txrvut@yahoo.com.

 

I do have a satellite aftermarket unit that I've had for about a year now. Used it in the '07 and now the '09 via the 1/4 plug in. Just wish I could come up with a factory type solution using the factory radio with some cheap salvage yard parts.

 

Let me do some more reading and I may shoot you an Email. Thanks!

 

just a heads up on this. as of today they have changed the XM line up. They have combined a lot of channels with sirius. Although you still don't get them all with XM. No stern and a few others. The programming uploaded today, and so far i'm not please. They got rid of a lot of channels, moved others, and got rid of the "hits" category so now i actually need to figure out how to program favorites in.

 

I got a copy of the new line up in a pdf file today from GM. I can't load it on this site though because the file is too big and when I shrink it, the file is unreadable.

I like some of the new stations and will have to explore the others. I will withhold judgement on the pros and cons until I can figure out what I now have.