What is this thing on the overhead console?

Bill336 · January 7, 2019

I have a small black "thing" on the left side of the overhead console in my 2001 GMC Sierra 1500. I thought it was some part of something left over from a previous owner, but when I pulled the console to remove it, it appears to be factory wired (goes to the black plug in the picture). Anyone know what it is?

sefiroxx · January 7, 2019

Factory microphone? For onstar?

JimCost2014 · January 7, 2019

59 minutes ago, Bill336 said:

I have a small black "thing" on the left side of the overhead console in my 2001 GMC Sierra 1500. I thought it was some part of something left over from a previous owner, but when I pulled the console to remove it, it appears to be factory wired (goes to the black plug in the picture). Anyone know what it is?

GM microphone 15247279 hands free mic.

RMR · January 7, 2019

Is it the ambient air temperature sensor?

Bill336 · January 8, 2019

Well, I'll be. Yes, the truck has OnStar, so I guess this is the mic for it. Thanks guys.

Bill336 · January 8, 2019

1 hour ago, RMR said:

Is it the ambient air temperature sensor?

No, that is at the bottom of the radiator, near the middle if it's where I've seen them on other GM vehicles.

JimCost2014 · January 8, 2019

13 minutes ago, Bill336 said:

No, that is at the bottom of the radiator, near the middle if it's where I've seen them on other GM vehicles.

If you have the "auto" feature on your HVAC system, there is a round speaker/mic looking device somewhere in the headliner. Senses inside temp, which controls what the auto system does.

greatmizzou · January 8, 2019

It’s the on star mic

Bill336 · January 8, 2019

Thank the heavens no, I don't have that blasted auto feature. :-)

One of the reasons I bought this truck is because my '11 Subaru Outback has enough technology on it that it gets in my way. Yes, it has the auto feature in the HVAC, and it drives me crazy, as do a number of other high-tech but low to no use (to me) features. And wait until you get the repair bill when on breaks! However, it doesn't have things I find terribly useful, such as door locks that lock at 15 MPH. The one thing it does have that I'd like to disable is the auto headlights.

Harleydude64 · January 31, 2019

On 2019-01-07 at 3:47 PM, Bill336 said:

I have a small black "thing" on the left side of the overhead console in my 2001 GMC Sierra 1500. I thought it was some part of something left over from a previous owner, but when I pulled the console to remove it, it appears to be factory wired (goes to the black plug in the picture). Anyone know what it is?

Hahahaha OnStar mic?! That makes sense had an 02 for 10 years and I used it to hold a pen and a tire pressure gauge lmao! Good to know!

greatmizzou · January 31, 2019

I used onstar once when I bought my truck. It was a really overall odd experience in 2002. Like here I am in a truck with a cassette tape deck and my NOKIA candybar phone chatting it up with an onstar concierge who wants to know if I want help finding McDonalds or what’s playing at the movies.

totally useless outside accident assistance lol