GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Use And Construction Of A Noise Sniffer

The noise sniffer can be used with the vehicle radio in order to locate hot spots generating radio noise interference. Hot spots can be found in the following locations:

    • The harness
    • The upper part of the dash
    • Between the hood and the windshield

Making The Sniffer


    Object Number: 291536  Size: SH
  1. Make the sniffer from an old piece of antenna lead-in from a mast or a power antenna.
  2. Remove the antenna base connector from the antenna lead-in (4).
  3. Cut away 2 inches of the coax shield (3).
  4. The 2 inch section with the braided shield stripped back becomes the antenna when plugged into the radio antenna socket.

To Use The Noise Sniffer

  1. Listen to the complaint noise.
  2. Disconnect the antenna.
  3. Plug the antenna into the antenna socket in order to probe and search out hot spots.
  4. Turn the radio volume up.

  5. Object Number: 209125  Size: SH
  6. Search for the noise (1).
  7. Keep your fingers off of the 2 inch probe. For best results place the sniffer (3) parallel to the wire (2).