Has anyone found an 'upgrade' for Bluelink connectivity on our vehicles with 2G/3G modems?

[E43509]

Depending on cost, I'd be willing to opt in. My quick search doesn't find anything, nor any aftermarket ways to stay connected.

2G-3G-SVLTE Wireless Service Update

Bluelink services will be discontinued for certain 2012-2019 models of vehicles. Find out if your model can continue with the service after the software update.

owners.hyundaiusa.com

 

[surprisinguy]

Right now? It's not going to happen... Hyundai has specifically stated in writing that that the modem system is too integrated in the vehicle and cannot be swapped out.

 

[skipgen]

Right now? It's not going to happen... Hyundai has specifically stated in writing that that the modem system is too integrated in the vehicle and cannot be swapped out.

Kind of a dumb move by Hyundai by not putting 4G in their "top line" car - Heck, even GM had 4G LTE in a bunch of their stuff back then....

 

[G-390606]

It's really too bad Hyundai decided to put 1991 2G technology in their 201x new model vehicles. I purchased a new Tucson Limited in 2014 and now, 8 years later, this built in technology, which is partially what swayed me to purchase this vehicle in the first place, will now be a brick hanging from my rear-view mirror.

To hold onto current Hyundai customers, it's sad to learn they are not even going to attempt to try to retrofit the vehicles with something else that will work. Letters that went out to owners used words like "we regret to inform you...". Guess they now regret that they didn't plan very wisely to meet the needs of today's technological society. Using a third party to manage that old network was one thing, but installing the old 2G technology in the first place was just a plain outright bad decision. They are now going to lose money with their subscription services from those affected as well as potential loyal Hyundai customers not wanting to purchase from them ever again.

HYUNDAI, if you're reading this, maybe do the right thing and do something to keep me as a customer. Just a suggestion...

 

[surprisinguy]

I agree - some kind of upgradable modem would have been the way to go - maybe too expensive of an option (maybe still so)

 

[EdP]

It's really too bad Hyundai decided to put 1991 2G technology in their 201x new model vehicles. I purchased a new Tucson Limited in 2014 and now, 8 years later, this built in technology, which is partially what swayed me to purchase this vehicle in the first place, will now be a brick hanging from my rear-view mirror.

To hold onto current Hyundai customers, it's sad to learn they are not even going to attempt to try to retrofit the vehicles with something else that will work. Letters that went out to owners used words like "we regret to inform you...". Guess they now regret that they didn't plan very wisely to meet the needs of today's technological society. Using a third party to manage that old network was one thing, but installing the old 2G technology in the first place was just a plain outright bad decision. They are now going to lose money with their subscription services from those affected as well as potential loyal Hyundai customers not wanting to purchase from them ever again.

HYUNDAI, if you're reading this, maybe do the right thing and do something to keep me as a customer. Just a suggestion...

LTE was new in 2010. Auto design is usually pretty firm four years ahead so it was too late for the 2014 that was actually building in mid 2013 and head units in 2012. . OTOH, 2018 models were affected also.

Aside from replacing the very expensive head unit that has the integrated modem I don't know if there is a solution. I know LG made some and I think Harmon Kardon made others but not sure. They are the real culprits. It is not the same as swapping out your $59 Spark-O-Matic radio.

We all want the latest technology and get POd when the old becomes obsolete. Do you still have those 8-Track tapes? If there was a cheap plug in I think they would have done it.

 

[Genesiswonderer]

Depending on cost, I'd be willing to opt in. My quick search doesn't find anything, nor any aftermarket ways to stay connected.

2G-3G-SVLTE Wireless Service Update

Bluelink services will be discontinued for certain 2012-2019 models of vehicles. Find out if your model can continue with the service after the software update.

owners.hyundaiusa.com

I agree - some kind of upgradable modem would have been the way to go - maybe too expensive of an option (maybe still so)

LTE was new in 2010. Auto design is usually pretty firm four years ahead so it was too late for the 2014 that was actually building in mid 2013 and head units in 2012. . OTOH, 2018 models were affected also.

Aside from replacing the very expensive head unit that has the integrated modem I don't know if there is a solution. I know LG made some and I think Harmon Kardon made others but not sure. They are the real culprits. It is not the same as swapping out your $59 Spark-O-Matic radio.

We all want the latest technology and get POd when the old becomes obsolete. Do you still have those 8-Track tapes? If there was a cheap plug in I think they would have done it.

It is very dumb Hyundai has not thought of a solution to this. The IT side of me has an idea that probably wouldn't work but is worth looking into.
1. Look if the board on the head unit will support a 4G modem. If it doesn't, then we're screwed. However, if it does, then we might have some tinkering options.
2. In this case, it would still require removing the head unit from the vehicle
3. You would have to remove the motherboard from the head unit
4. I imagine the modem is soldered to the board, so you would need to first desolder the 3G modem.
5. After that, you would need prepare and solder the 4G modem on.
6. You would have to put the motherboard back in and put the head unit back together.
7. You would need to reinstall the head unit, and then you would also probably need to program the head unit to accept the 4G modem and probably create your own driver for it in the system I imagine.
8. You would have to work with Hyundai to activate the bluelink services in your vehicle but it would connect via the new 4G modem. But who knows if Hyundai would even work with you. They might just void your warranty (although on 2015 and 2016s, the bumper to bumper warranty is most likely already up.)

This is provided that A. the board supports a 4G modem, B. the antennas support a 4G Modem or the board has the ability to add antennas if needed.
Thoughts anyone?

 

[skipgen]

I'm thinking that it would be easier to trade in the car....

But I'm going to buy the K-Play box that'll give me wireless CP/AA - that'll go a long way to softening the blow.

 

[EdP]

It is very dumb Hyundai has not thought of a solution to this. The IT side of me has an idea that probably wouldn't work but is worth looking into.

Thoughts anyone?

How do you know they have not? With enough time and money it can be fixed. How much are you willing to pay? What do you estimate the cost of your method?

Hyundai/Genesis did not build the head units. They have a couple of suppliers depending on model so a couple of solutions are needed.

I had a remote starter installed for about $450. Given the complexity of your methods I think I'm ahead already and will be instead of paying the subscription every year. Wish I did it sooner.

 

[Mcc]

then you would also probably need to program the head unit to accept the 4G modem and probably create your own driver for it in the system I imagine.

Probably? Where are you going to get the source code? This solution requires a lot of proprietary IP that vendors are not likely to share. Nice thought exercise but I don’t believe this is a viable solution.

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[Genesiswonderer]

How do you know they have not? With enough time and money it can be fixed. How much are you willing to pay? What do you estimate the cost of your method?

Hyundai/Genesis did not build the head units. They have a couple of suppliers depending on model so a couple of solutions are needed.

I had a remote starter installed for about $450. Given the complexity of your methods I think I'm ahead already and will be instead of paying the subscription every year. Wish I did it sooner.

Probably? Where are you going to get the source code? This solution requires a lot of proprietary IP that vendors are not likely to share. Nice thought exercise but I don’t believe this is a viable solution.

I'm thinking that it would be easier to trade in the car....

But I'm going to buy the K-Play box that'll give me wireless CP/AA - that'll go a long way to softening the blow.

Yeah, that was just a theortical.
I thought of another solution that is actually feasible though, only issue is HMA won't spend the money on it.
So, at least the standard class gen 4 nav on the signature and tech (don't know about the premium class gen 2 nav on the ultimates) the head unit has the ability to connect to wifi. Hyundai could actually offer a module that's almost like a little hotspot that connects to the Verizon LTE thats powered by a constant power source from the vehicle (they wouldn't need an expensive one, they could just use a cheap cat m1 modem as the packets for bluelink are tiny). Hyundai would then need to update the software of the head units to allow bluelink services through a wifi connection. Then the head unit would connect via wifi to this device and bluelink services would be restored. I have ought to email hyundai about this but I doubt this didn't cross their mind.
Thoughts!
Does the ultimate 9.2 inch premium gen 2 nav have the ability to connect to wifi?

 

[EdP]

Yeah, that was just a theortical.
I thought of another solution that is actually feasible though, only issue is HMA won't spend the money on it.
So, at least the standard class gen 4 nav on the signature and tech (don't know about the premium class gen 2 nav on the ultimates) the head unit has the ability to connect to wifi. Hyundai could actually offer a module that's almost like a little hotspot that connects to the Verizon LTE thats powered by a constant power source from the vehicle (they wouldn't need an expensive one, they could just use a cheap cat m1 modem as the packets for bluelink are tiny). Hyundai would then need to update the software of the head units to allow bluelink services through a wifi connection. Then the head unit would connect via wifi to this device and bluelink services would be restored. I have ought to email hyundai about this but I doubt this didn't cross their mind.
Thoughts!
Does the ultimate 9.2 inch premium gen 2 nav have the ability to connect to wifi?

What do you think the cost would be? How much to you think HMA would be willing to give to owners or how much do you think owners would pay for the upgrade? Labor time to do it all?

You mention constant power needed. The car has to be "awake" to work now so if the power consumption is comparable it should be OK. If it draws down the battery after a few days, then no.
Interesting though.

 

[Genesiswonderer]

What do you think the cost would be? How much to you think HMA would be willing to give to owners or how much do you think owners would pay for the upgrade? Labor time to do it all?

You mention constant power needed. The car has to be "awake" to work now so if the power consumption is comparable it should be OK. If it draws down the battery after a few days, then no.
Interesting though.

I could see them maybe charging 200-300 dollars for it. Labor would be dependent on how they wanted to wire the continuous power.

Cat m1 should be very power efficient so hopefully there would be no issue with that.

However, there would still be the issue of updating the software on the head unit to allow blue link services through wifi (simple fix through a software map update). At the moment, blue link services are only allowed through cellular and wifi is only used for app downloads and things like sound hound. Bluelink doesn’t work on wifi (I tested once in an area where Verizon 3g had already been turned off by tethering with my phone and this was the result).

I might email HMA and see if they’ve thought of this yet!

 

[skipgen]

Yeah, that was just a theortical.
I thought of another solution that is actually feasible though, only issue is HMA won't spend the money on it.
So, at least the standard class gen 4 nav on the signature and tech (don't know about the premium class gen 2 nav on the ultimates) the head unit has the ability to connect to wifi. Hyundai could actually offer a module that's almost like a little hotspot that connects to the Verizon LTE thats powered by a constant power source from the vehicle (they wouldn't need an expensive one, they could just use a cheap cat m1 modem as the packets for bluelink are tiny). Hyundai would then need to update the software of the head units to allow bluelink services through a wifi connection. Then the head unit would connect via wifi to this device and bluelink services would be restored. I have ought to email hyundai about this but I doubt this didn't cross their mind.
Thoughts!
Does the ultimate 9.2 inch premium gen 2 nav have the ability to connect to wifi?

I did actually connect w/ my home WiFi right after I bought the car, thinking that I could get some of their apps at the time to DL... but the screen prompt said "nothing available" or words to that effect. So, I didn't bother with it anymore.

I think I read somewhere a while ago that Audi & some others would offer a "piggyback" module... didn't seem that expensive.

 

[joegr]

...
Does the ultimate 9.2 inch premium gen 2 nav have the ability to connect to wifi?

Yes, it does. One big problem with your solution would be the battery going dead after the car sat for a couple of days (or less?) as the head unit would have to remain powered all the time for the WiFi to work.

I'm sure that Hyundai has done the math here. They make some amount of money on the people that continue the Blue Link subscriptions after the first three years. It's recurring revenue, which everyone is into big time. However, apparently the cost in NRE, support, and upgrading the cars must exceed the profit from the subscriptions.
All of you saying that you would pay a few hundred dollars one time to get the feature back, would you also be willing to pay $600+ a year instead of $300 a year?

 

[Genesiswonderer]

Yes, it does. One big problem with your solution would be the battery going dead after the car sat for a couple of days (or less?) as the head unit would have to remain powered all the time for the WiFi to work.

I'm sure that Hyundai has done the math here. They make some amount of money on the people that continue the Blue Link subscriptions after the first three years. It's recurring revenue, which everyone is into big time. However, apparently the cost in NRE, support, and upgrading the cars must exceed the profit from the subscriptions.
All of you saying that you would pay a few hundred dollars one time to get the feature back, would you also be willing to pay $600+ a year instead of $300 a year?

Yes. But isn't the head unit already always on? I mean it always needs to be listening for commands from the server anyways (bluelink communicates through the head unit for everything). So I mean I would think it would be very power efficient and the head unit would probably use less power than when connected to cellular. However, powering the piggyback hotspot modem could be a concern.

 

[joegr]

Yes. But isn't the head unit already always on? I mean it always needs to be listening for commands from the server anyways (bluelink communicates through the head unit for everything). So I mean I would think it would be very power efficient and the head unit would probably use less power than when connected to cellular. However, powering the piggyback hotspot modem could be a concern.

No, that's a separate module (either outside the head unit like in gen 2, or inside as with others). Keeping just the Blue Link powered is tens of mAs. Keeping the head unit powered is amps. Read some of the threads about batteries going dead every few days. Most of those were/are due to the head unit not sleeping, and were resolved by replacing the head unit.

 

[Genesiswonderer]

No, that's a separate module (either outside the head unit like in gen 2, or inside as with others). Keeping just the Blue Link powered is tens of mAs. Keeping the head unit powered is amps. Read some of the threads about batteries going dead every few days. Most of those were/are due to the head unit not sleeping, and were resolved by replacing the head unit.

Okay, so are you saying that the bluelink module can't communicate with the wifi module in the head unit? I guess they can't interconnect?

 

[rhegroup1]

Yeah, that was just a theortical.
I thought of another solution that is actually feasible though, only issue is HMA won't spend the money on it.
So, at least the standard class gen 4 nav on the signature and tech (don't know about the premium class gen 2 nav on the ultimates) the head unit has the ability to connect to wifi. Hyundai could actually offer a module that's almost like a little hotspot that connects to the Verizon LTE thats powered by a constant power source from the vehicle (they wouldn't need an expensive one, they could just use a cheap cat m1 modem as the packets for bluelink are tiny). Hyundai would then need to update the software of the head units to allow bluelink services through a wifi connection. Then the head unit would connect via wifi to this device and bluelink services would be restored. I have ought to email hyundai about this but I doubt this didn't cross their mind.
Thoughts!
Does the ultimate 9.2 inch premium gen 2 nav have the ability to connect to wifi?

My thoughts are that it was pretty shortsighted for Hyundai to not have a solution to keep their customers happy and technically current with the nav system and the other apps in the vehicles, or at least find a way to make it happen for a reasonable price for their long time customers.

I have no plans to sell my '15 5.0, especially since I have made modifications to the exhaust system and I have more ideas for the car. I'd love a new type honeycomb grille, but I don't want the makers logo on it like the one I've seen at the parts store on this site. I just want the grille, not the name of the company that makes it. I'm not a 25 year old trying to impress with a brand.

I'd appreciate any information or suggestions other than wanting to buy it from me. I get enough of that from the local dealers trying to low-ball me like I don't know what it's worth today with just 50K miles last Friday. Thanks for your anticipated assistance

 

[Genesiswonderer]

Update: there is now a class action lawsuit on this. We’ll see if it goes anywhere.

Hyundai class action claims BlueLink feature rendered obsolete upon 3G sunset

Hyundai and Genesis sold vehicles between 2014 and 2020 that were equipped with BlueLink connected services features that relied on now-defunct 3G technology supplied by Verizon to function, a new class action lawsuit alleges.

topclassactions.com