PicoDiagnostics NVH Kits

NVH and propshaft balancing

The PicoDiagnostics NVH kits from Pico Technology are the cost-effective answer to the many NVH problems facing technicians today. The software provides a real-time diagnosis to the technician, in the form of either: a bar graph, a frequency chart, a 3D frequency chart, RPM order, road speed view or a time domain view. The ability to start the recording before a road test and playback and analyze the recording back in the shop, ensures that the driver's attention remains on the road. Saving the recordings couldn’t be easier: Much like our other automotive software, you can simply save the file to your laptop’s hard drive.

The PicoDiagnostics NVH kits make use of the PicoScope Automotive oscilloscopes and are available in a number of configurations to suit your needs. You can be sure that your investment in the PicoDiagnostics NVH kit will benefit your business without the need for further spending. If you already have a PicoScope Automotive oscilloscope, you’re halfway there.

Typical Uses

Customer complaints surrounding noise/vibration are subjective at best and present technicians with a challenge even before they can begin diagnosing and rectifying. By applying an NVH kit to the vehicle, the technician has the ability to road-test the vehicle with the customer to obtain all vibration and noise levels. Once this valuable data has been collected, it can be analyzed and compared to previous captures or against donor vehicles. Often what is perceived by the customer to be a “problem vibration” could, in fact, be a characteristic. Now you can present and compare objective data with test results from donor vehicles to reassure your customer that everything is normal. Alternatively, comparing data may highlight a problem with the vehicle and the measurements taken can give the technician the information needed to confidently proceed with a repair. Below are just a few of the typical scenarios where an NVH kit can save you time and money:

• Cabin vibrations at speed
• Engine vibrations throughout the entire RPM range
• Clutch judder or vibration
• Transmission and bearing whine
• Auxiliary drive noise
• Brake judder
• Steering vibrations 

Kit contents

Although the NVH kits are available in different configurations, they differ only in the number of parts supplied. In each case, a BNC cable connects the interface box to your Automotive PicoScope and a USB cable connects your PicoScope to the PC or laptop on which you run the PicoDiagnostics software. A separate J2534 Scan tool (see below) or VCI (not supplied) can be used to provide RPM data or an electrical signal that can be used for RPM.

Starter, Standard or Advanced

The Starter NVH Kit will allow you to measure vibrations on 3 axes, (X, Y and Z). The Standard NVH Kit gives you the option to also measure vibration or sound on a single axis at an additional location on the vehicle. The Advanced Kit gives you the option to measure vibration or sound at four different locations on the vehicle.

The Essentials version of each kit includes a PicoScope 4425A diagnostic oscilloscope.

All kits are available in a carry case or foam tray. The foam trays enable users to store their NVH Diagnostics kits safely in a tool chest of their own choosing.

NVH kit	NVH interface	Accelerometer	Magnet	Microphone	Extension cable	PicoScope 4425A
Essentials Starter NVH Kit	1	1	1	1	1	1
Essentials Standard NVH Kit	2	2	2	2	2	1
Essentials Advanced NVH Kit	4	4	4	4	4	1
Starter NVH Kit	1	1	1	1	1	0
Standard NVH Kit	2	2	2	2	2	0
Advanced NVH Kit	4	4	4	4	4	0

NVH - Noise Vibration Harshness problems

The root of all NVH problems is a vibration. In some cases, these are unwanted or unexpected vibrations, and in other cases, they are normal and always present (e.g. engine combustion), but they are noticeably disturbing when transmitted to the passenger compartment. 

 

Sound is simply a vibration that is transmitted through the air (or another medium) and is heard when it reaches a person's ear. Although the perfect hearing range is 20 Hz to 20 kHz, most of us are more like 100 Hz to 15 kHz at best. Vibrations are usually felt at frequencies below 200 Hz, and in the overlapping frequency, range vibrations can be both felt and heard.

 

In order to deal with this frequency range effectively, our PicoDiagnostics NVH kits contain both microphones (for sound), and accelerometers (for vibrations). 

 

Traditionally, NVH problems have been viewed as difficult to solve, with NVH complaints being subjective as people have different levels of NVH acceptance or feeling. A technician needs the right tools and procedures to be able to tackle these issues effectively, to diagnose complaints in an objective, repeatable and easy manner. The PicoDiagnostics NVH kits do this, while also generating customer reports to show that an improvement has been made against the customer’s complaint.

Setup wizard and software help

The Pico NVH test has a set of wizards to guide you through the necessary connections and the vehicle data that will generate information and results in a format that is easy to understand.

The system detects vibrations (and sounds) that change (wheel, engine, propshaft etc.) but also fixed frequency vibrations (e.g. electric cooling fan). Results are displayed in a report that is easy to understand and can be viewed in a way that suits you.

Comprehensive help files explain likely causes and solutions, and the functions provided by the software make it easy to diagnose the problems in a logical way to reveal the root cause. The same system will also give you the ability to measure the
effectiveness of any repairs or modifications and demonstrate the
results to the customer. 

Licensing

Each NVH kit requires a software license to allow the use of the PicoDiagnostics NVH application with a single PicoScope oscilloscope. 

Unless the PicoScope is already licensed, the first time you attempt to run the PicoDiagnostics NVH application you will be asked for a license code.  To obtain your license code please contact Pico at support@picoauto.com and include both the serial number of your PicoScope and of your NVH interface. Once we have received this information we will be able to supply you with an unlock code.

Once unlocked the license code will be stored on the scope hardware so that in the future you can access the PicoDiagnostics NVH application with that scope as required.

Note: Only one free license key is given with each NVH kit to unlock only one scope. Once this free key is used up, additional keys can be purchased for additional scopes through Pico Technology and your local distributor. Keys are NOT transferable. Please contact Technical Support for further information.

Optical Sensor Kit contents

The PicoDiagnostics NVH kits can also support balancing of rotating components when you use the optional Optical Sensor kit with it. 

The NVH kits can reveal problems with vibrations that are related to engine speed (RPM), propshaft speed, road speed or other unrelated frequencies. With the example of a propshaft-related vibration, it can be a lot faster and cheaper to rebalance the propshaft than to replace it.

The balancing kit contains a high-quality optical sensor with an interface to connect it to your PicoScope, and a robust magnetic mount to ensure that the optical sensor can be held in the correct position. Again, the software wizards in PicoDiagnostics will guide you through every step of the process.

Methods

The Balancing software supports different methods such as the use of pinion flanges (adding weights to existing holes in the flange), and hose clamps (clamping weights to the shaft using jubilee clips). In each case, the system provides complete guidance and direct instructions on both the weight and location to balance the shaft.

Together with an NVH kit, this system brings the technician a level of capability previously only available in the vehicle manufacturer's factory or expensive and dedicated repair facilities. All of this is supported by our ongoing software updates, which will continue to improve the system long after an initial purchase.

How to use it

Here's a video showing off the propshaft balancing feature in PicoDiagnostics. Steve uses a jig to walk us through the software wizard for propshaft balancing and demonstrates how it helps you balance a propshaft correctly using the pinion flange trial method.

NVH and propshaft balancing

The PicoDiagnostics NVH kits from Pico Technology are the cost-effective answer to the many NVH problems facing technicians today. The software provides a real-time diagnosis to the technician, in the form of either: a bar graph, a frequency chart, a 3D frequency chart, RPM order, road speed view or a time domain view. The ability to start the recording before a road test and playback and analyze the recording back in the shop, ensures that the driver's attention remains on the road. Saving the recordings couldn’t be easier: Much like our other automotive software, you can simply save the file to your laptop’s hard drive.

The PicoDiagnostics NVH kits make use of the PicoScope Automotive oscilloscopes and are available in a number of configurations to suit your needs. You can be sure that your investment in the PicoDiagnostics NVH kit will benefit your business without the need for further spending. If you already have a PicoScope Automotive oscilloscope, you’re halfway there.

NVH specifications

Weight (interface / accelerometer / microphone)	120 g / 80 g / 20 g
Dimensions: Sensor interface (inc. BNCs) Microphone Magnet (inc. fitted grub screw)	105 mm x 65 mm x 27 mm 43 mm x ø17 mm 12 mm x ø18 mm
Sensor extension lead length	3 m
Battery (lithium primary cell)	CR123(A) 3 V (user-replaceable)
Battery life (shelf / vibration mode / microphone mode)	10 years / 6 months / 2 months
Maximum measurable acceleration	±5 g
Vibration frequency range (3 dB)	DC to 350 Hz
Shock survivability (accelerometer head)	10,000 g
Operating temperature range (accelerometer head)	–40 °C to 85 °C
Thread mounting (accelerometer)	¼” x 28 UNF
Microphone sensitivity	45 mV/Pa nominal at 1 kHz
EMC approvals	CE: Meets EN61326-1:2006

PicoDiagnostics NVH kits documentation

Resource	Language	Version	Size	Updated
Articles:
Verbannen Sie ein für alle Mal NVH-Probleme	Deutsch	2	412 KB	February 28 2025
Data Sheets:
NVH leaflet: Eradicate NVH issues	English (UK)	4	597 KB	September 18 2016
Sradicare problemi NVH	Italiano	2	1 MB	September 18 2016
Verbannen Sie ein für alle Mal NVH-Probleme	Deutsch	2	1 MB	September 18 2016
Quick Start Guides:
NVH Diagnostics Quick Start Guide	English (UK)	9	611 KB	June 08 2015
How to unlock your NVH hardware	English (UK)	1	505 KB	January 20 2016

Accessories

J2534 lead: Mongoose-Plus ISO/CAN 3

The Mongoose-Plus J2534 interface is a compact vehicle speed signal adapter designed for automotive technicians performing NVH diagnostics with PicoScope. Featuring industry-leading J2534 pass-thru technology, this Pico Technology accessory reliably acquires OBD speed signals to identify speed-related noise and vibrations in workshop testing. As our NVH software can use these signals to identify and display speed related noise and vibrations, the Mongoose-Plus interface makes a perfect complement to our NVH kit.In addition, the Mongoose-Plus interface is equipped with:J2534 pass-thru technology to enable OBD and, in some cases, vehicle manufacturer diagnostics (with appropriate 3rd party OE applications, which are available and supported elsewhere).Rugged & ergonomic enclosure for use in the workshop environment.Detachable USB cable allowing for easy field replacement.Click here to find and download supporting software for the Mongoose-Plus ISO/CAN3 interface.

£403.00

TA512

Optical Sensor Kit — Vibration Balancing & NVH Analysis

The Optical Sensor Kit is a companion accessory for automotive technicians using PicoDiagnostics NVH systems to diagnose vibration and balancing issues. This kit includes a high-quality optical sensor and magnetic mount, enabling non-contact measurement of rotational speeds for engine balancing, driveline analysis, and component vibration testing when paired with Pico Technology's balancing software.This kit is a companion to our NVH kits, providing a high-quality optical sensor and magnetic mount for use with our balancing software. Primarily used for balancing of propshafts (drive shafts), this kit also supports frequency measurement of other rotating items.When used with PicoDiagnostics balancing software, a simple graphical guide allows you to identify and correct imbalance in a quick and consistent manner.

£349.00

PP991

Standard Pico Microphone — Precision NVH Diagnostics

The TA144 Standard Pico Microphone is a professional-grade automotive NVH microphone designed for technicians diagnosing engine noise, rattles, and vibration harshness. When paired with Pico Technology's NVH Interface and PicoScope automotive oscilloscope, it captures high-fidelity audio to isolate noise sources quickly and accurately.

£68.00

TA144

3-Output NVH Interface — Connect Accelerometers to PicoScope

The 3-Output NVH Interface is an essential adapter for automotive technicians performing noise, vibration, and harshness diagnostics. Manufactured by Pico Technology, this interface box connects the TA143 MEMS accelerometer and TA144 microphone to your PicoScope 4000 Series oscilloscope, enabling precise vibration and acoustic analysis for identifying engine, drivetrain, and chassis issues.

£149.00

TA259

Sensor Extension Cable 3m — Extend NVH Testing Reach

This 3-metre sensor extension cable is designed for automotive technicians using Pico Technology's NVH interface with PicoScope oscilloscopes. It extends the reach of accelerometers and microphones, allowing you to position sensors in difficult-to-access areas during noise and vibration diagnostics.

£70.00

TA145

Magnetic Accelerometer Mount

Precision NVH diagnostics begin with a secure connection. The TA096 Mounting Magnet is engineered to provide a high-strength, stable interface between your accelerometer and the vehicle under test. By ensuring a rigid bond to any ferrous surface, the TA096 eliminates "sensor bounce" and ensures that the data on your screen accurately reflects the vibrations of the component, not the movement of the probe.In the fast-paced environment of a diagnostic workshop, efficiency is key. The TA096 Mounting Magnet allows for instantaneous attachment and repositioning, enabling technicians to move between test points—such as engine mounts, transmission housings, or suspension components—in seconds.Key FeaturesHigh-Force Grip: Designed to stay firmly in place even under heavy vibration or vertical mounting scenarios.Universal Compatibility: Optimised for seamless use with both the TA143 MEMS Accelerometer and the TA573 PicoBNC+ NVH Accelerometer.Low-Profile Design: Its compact footprint allows for sensor placement in tight areas where traditional clamps or adhesive mounts may not fit.

£37.00

TA096