Circuit/System Description
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Chevrolet HHR. 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.