Script to start the Volt

[Ohm]

I've hacked together a small script to emulate the OnStar's remote start feature. The big advantage this has to what OnStar offers is that this can be configured (via Windows "Scheduled Tasks" feature) to run automatically at a set schedule. Because that was my intended purpose, it (intentionally) produces no visual output or feedback as it runs - though it does create a number of logs and debug files for troubleshooting in the future when OnStar changes things and/or it fails to run.

I am very hesitant to release this, as I have only used it myself a small handful of times. I'm only doing the same thing the web page currently does, but I'd imagine that should OnStar revise their website at some point in the near future, this will stop working, and who knows what sort of issues it would be creating on their end at that point... that being said, I'm very disappointed at the number of true "hacks" I've seen for the Volt so far. I used to have a Prius, and people were constantly taring it apart to find different ways to "enhance" functions. Perhaps this will be a ever-so-slight kickstart to some of those ideas for the Volt.

I don't claim this will work for you, and I certainly don't recommend using it. It just seems like a bad idea - starting your car on a set schedule potentially without you being aware, around, or even in the same state you were when you scheduled it to run. I provide no support for this, it's not official in any way, it's not pretty or well documented, and I don't even know what half of this data going back and forth is (though perhaps I could take a guess at some of it...)

This is provided as a learning aid only - not for use. I take no responsibility for what happens with it, to it, or to your car, health, or welfare. I only ask that should you improve upon this idea, you share your work as well (at least with me!)

The below file would be a VBScript file (with a .vbs extension) if it were a program. It would also require slight modification to personalize it to your account and environment.

Update: Version 3
Now supports Canadian owners and multiple Volt's on the same account!
Credit goes to Destinet for the Canadian weather additions and all the assistance in getting 2 Volts on the same account tested!

Start_the_Volt v3.txt

Version 2
Now supports preconditioning based on:

• Current outdoor temp ranges
• Charging on 120v, 240v, or not plugged in at all
• Only when fully charged

Ohm

[Driverguy01]

Can you change the script to add a hold option to the MM button......id like that!

[AySz88]

Can you change the script to add a hold option to the MM button......id like that!

It's not that sort of script... It's basically going on the myvolt.com website and hitting the "remote start" button for you.

[eplantz]

I just tried this on my Windows 7 virtual machine. Worked like a champ!! Thanks for doing the work. I was just thinking about this today before I saw your message.

[Ron C]

Thanks Ohm - I'm going to use the essence of this in an iPhone app to do all of the timing of the double-remote-start-while-plugged-in dance. (Oh, I sent you a PM).

When I start looking for beta testers, I'll post in this thread.

[Ohm]

Update: Version 2
Now supports preconditioning based on:

• Current outdoor temp ranges
• Charging on 120v, 240v, or not plugged in at all
• Only when fully charged

[Ohm]

I'm going to use the essence of this in an iPhone app to do all of the timing of the double-remote-start-while-plugged-in dance.

Sounds great! Please send me 10% of your pre-tax earnings.

[Brittt1]

I just set up this script with the Windows Task Scheduler and tested a few times with different Variables. All works very well. Thanks for putting this together.. Now who is putting together the iPhone App? Id like to schedule auto charging etc too.

[Prius2Volt]

hmm, i could turn this into a compiled task bar program...

[Cord]

Just a quick note to say if there were any changes to the onstar site after their update : the script still works.
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I have never used C_url and was not sure if I needed the SSL version but I did get and try it.

curl_724_0_ssl.zip

and

libssl.zip which has libeay32.dll and ssleay32.dll needed for the SSL version of C-url

all in the Curl folder.

I run Win-7 64 - not sure of any advantages to the 64 bit -Curl build.
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Thanks for posting the script