While my grand daughter was here today a commercial for On-Star came on....you know the one, "Hello Mrs. Jackson, this is Becky at On-Star. We just received a signal and I'm checking if you are all right". The video appears to show the vehicle in an accident.

My GD (a very bright 18 year old) says, "What happens if the accident is so severe the battery is damaged? Can On-Star still contact you?". Hell, I didn't know. She also resolved, if the battery is damaged how can they locate you since the GPS system would stop transmitting.

Can anyone answer these questions, accurately?

Thanks in advance

 

To my knowledge there is no battery backup system for the in car units.

In all my discussions with the tech folks at OnStar, I've never heard of anything about a backup system. But I work on the software side of things.

 

That service of OnStar is activated by the airbags being deployed. If there is now answer back they send help. IMHO the HHR would have to be damaged in the rear severly to distroy the battery and also the front or aide to set off the airbags.

 

Thanks for those responses...

The real issue here is she is trying to make a decision regarding a new car and ordering On-Star. So while the HHR's battery is in the rear, others are not. But, she did raise the question, so I'm trying to help find the solution.

If a car is in any type of serious accident, the battery is damaged and unable to provide energy, the air bags deploy (assuming they will)....does the On-Star system automatically "mark, save and transmit" the last location......at time of deployment?

Now that I think about it.....the air bag deployment system has some type of energizer (capacitors? don't know the real name) in the event of battery failure. Maybe On-S tar does also.

 

Just got off phone with OnStar tech service There is a small amount of electicity to send a signal when airbags go off to pin a location on the map.

 

Charles...you are a SAINT. Thanks for the effort.

 

Glad to help it was a great question.