Show Me Your ID
Show Me
Your ID
by Steve Garrett
www.atra.com
Now there’s an easier way to
identify the equipment config-
uration of any GM vehicle.
M
any times over the past few the correct parts. So what can we do in paint and body trim codes, as well as
years I’ve talked to techni- the service bay to help our parts people the specifics of the vehicle’s systems
cians looking for a better out a little? and subsystems.
way to identify how the vehicle they’re The best solution would be for The RPO codes are three charac-
working on is equipped. Many techni- aftermarket parts vendors to have fully ter codes arranged in alpha/numeric
cians rely on one of two methods: VIN code-driven parts catalogs. The order on the label. Each code repre-
1. They perform a complete visual VIN itself doesn’t necessarily provide sents something specific to that vehicle.
inspection the information you need, but it could There are thousands of code combina-
2. They just take their best guess be used to cross reference the vehicle tions that have been used throughout
and its equipment from a factory data- the years. For the transmission shop
Parts people are asking more demand- base. In all honesty, that’s years away, you’d likely be interested in RPO codes
ing questions than ever. They want to and would require factory cooperation; that would help you identify the trans-
know specifics about the vehicle: an unlikely condition. So how can we mission, transfer case, axle ratio and
• Is it equipped with ABS? help our parts people out a little? possibly the engine.
• Rear- or 4-wheel ABS? On GM applications there’s an “ace The transmission codes typically
• Which engine? in the hole” you can use to help identify begin with an M followed by other
• What transmission? the vehicle equipment. For decades GM characters such 30. An M30 denotes the
• Does it have a locking dif- has provided a label that identifies transmission is a 4L60E.
ferential? how the vehicle was built. The label is Engines typically begin with the
• Which rear axle does it have, known as an RPO or SPID label. RPO letter L followed by two other charac-
an 8½ or 9½? refers to Regular Production Options, ters such as T1. An LT1 is a 5.7L gas
• What’s the axle ratio? while the term SPID refers to a Service engine.
Parts Identification Label. Both terms Rear axle ratios typically begin
The questions seem as if they’re refer to the same label. The RPO/SPID with a G or H followed by other char-
only getting more detailed and many label is typically located in one of these acters such as U6 for a GU6 or a 3.42:1
more questions are being asked today areas: axle ratio.
than just a few years ago. • In the glove box area The codes are laid out in order on
In all fairness, the parts people are • In the center console the label. The list included here doesn’t
only asking for the information they • On the spare tire carrier or exist anywhere else, so you may want
need to be fairly sure you’ll get the cover to make a copy and keep it at your
right parts. In most cases the electronic • On the trunk lid counter. I included RPO codes from the
catalog they’re using prompts them to mid-1960s to 2010.
ask questions which many technicians If the RPO/SPID label is missing, As you can see, this was quite a
view as absurd or a waste of time. The your local dealer can print you a hard project and I’m confident it’ll be a great
problem is the software won’t let them copy of the label from its service and help to you in the future. Until next
advance if they can’t answer the ques- parts computer system. time, remember: problems are only
tions. The RPO/SPID label contains the opportunities in work clothes.
Can you see the dilemma? If the build information for the vehicle. It’s
parts person can’t get the background the “DNA” of what makes up the
information, chances are you won’t get vehicle. The label contains the VIN,
36 GEARS January/February 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74