[jojeeka]

2017 Malibu Wireless Charger / Wireless Charging Upgrade Completed

I successfully upgraded the wireless charger / wireless charging in my son's 2017 Malibu to use the GM retrofit wireless charger that is compatible with iphone 8 and 10. Part #84526978.

I would say I definitely did not do it 100% by the book but it is fine and looks like factory once put back together so I don't know that I care too much about the how. If people are interested and I get time i'll add something to the "how to" section. For instance, that brown plastic console piece around the top of the module (see added pics) should be removed for installation but I couldn't get it so i figured out a way to get the module out fairly cleanly.

But here is a vid of it working with iphone 8 in a case and rubber boot in place...

https://youtu.be/eWIb9e1rYWQ


Note that the upgrade/retrofit module was not designed with the Malibu in mind because it has a connector port that is built on the side of it instead of the "bottom" like the original module. See last pic of attachments. It doesn't appear to affect anything other than I could only screw the top two screws that hold the module to the console trim but it seems fine.

 

[jojeeka]

I wanted to add that we put my son's iphone 8 into an Otterbox (Defender series I think - but it has a front and a back plastic snap together inner case and a rubber outer case) and put it into the upgraded charging slot and it charged right away with no problem and stayed charging. It was an extremely tight fit, so much so that pulling out the phone the rubber boot came with it as the boot is rubber and the outer case is rubber so that makes sense. We removed the rubber boot and it charged in the slot and fit much better.

My son doesn't like that case for normal use because it is bulkier than he'd like most of the time but the point is that the upgraded charger will pretty much charge anything wireless compatible even with a thick case. In my original post we had just tried a much thinner case and I was thinking the thick Otterbox might be too thick for the charger. Now, whether the slot is big enough for your phone (iphone plus or larger android) that is another question.

Also, I wrote in another post how the upgraded charger performed well on a long trip and fully charged my son's iphone 8 in the more standard thickness case (we didn't have the Otterbox case on the long trip.)

 

[jojeeka]

I used a Nexus 6 that has wireless charging and had to pull the rubber boot out only because of the width of the phone and it charged in the Malibu with the new module. I'm convinced GM (probably supplier) finally got it right with the new wireless charging module. The Nexus 6 even charges all the way back in the slot, an inch or more away from the module, because with the rubber boot out there is no rubber pushing the phone towards the module. The Nexus 6 is a phone from like 2014. So, i've seen an iphone 8 and nexus 6 charge on the new module which are pretty far apart in their builds.

I don't have an iphone plus to see how they fit in the slot (but assuming it is similar width to the Nexus 6 - if someone could confirm fitment of the plus) but i did buy another rubber boot so i could experiment with it (maybe make a slot in the front of the boot for wider phones.)

 

[Bruce Mason]

has anyone gotten this to work on a 2017 malibu on a note 10 +?

 

[campb292]

has anyone gotten this to work on a 2017 malibu on a note 10 +?

Probably won't work even with the kit. The compatibility list says it is a size limitation.

https://my.chevrolet.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/static/pageImages/learnAbout/articles/documents/GM_Wireless_Charging_Compatible_Device.pdf

Note 10 / 10 Plus
Due to their large physical size, these phones might only wirelessly charge on:
2018 & newer: Escalade / Escalade ESV 2019 & newer: XT4, XT5, XT6
2019 & newer: CT6 2020: CT4, CT5

 

[Bruce Mason]

how much does this upgrade kit cost?

 

[campb292]

According to the bulletin, list price is $99. It lists on gmpartsdirect for 72.08 but after shipping will be close to $100 anyway. Probably easier to deal with your dealer parts counter.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10154981-9999.pdf

 

[bluejaywpg]

I have a Note 10+ & I'm not going to try to make it work in my 2017 Malibu. The problem is that the Note 10+ barely fits the slot without a case. But since I always use a case, it won't fit at all.

If I could connect wirelessly to Android Auto, then I might try to make it work whenever I feel adventurous. Otherwise, it's pointless since I have to connect it to a USB cable anyway for Android Auto.

My wireless charging slot remains as a pen holder LOL.

 

[Chong69]

I know this thread is really old but i am attempting to update my wireless charger in my 2016 malibu, i cant figure out how to get the old module out, how do you unscrew the 4 screws holding it in there is almost no access to them ?