This information is intended to assist technicians in understanding the transmission identification nameplate (I.D.), its meaning, and where it is located on currently manufactured THM automatic transmissions.
The transmission identification tag or stamped identification contains such information as transmission type, model year, model, serial number, and Julian date. Refer to the following information and illustrations which will help explain all transmission identifications:
EXPLANATION OF ALL KEY TRANSMISSION IDENTIFICATIONS
TYPE OF THIRD LETTER OF TRANSMISSION CODE GROUP ------------ ---------- 125C C 200-4R F 440-T4 H
JULIAN DATE: Tells what day of the year the transmission was built. It is also important to remember that the transmission model year starts MID-YEAR. This means the first transmission built in any model year will start with a high Julian date.
EXAMPLE: IF THE FIRST TRANSMISSION FOR THE MODEL YEAR 1986 WAS BUILT ON AUG. 5, 1985, THE JULIAN DATE WOULD START AT 217 AND GO TO 365 (DECEMBER 31). THE JULIAN DATE WILL THEN RETURN TO 001 (JANUARY 1) AND CONTINUE TO 216 (AUGUST 4, 1986).
SERIAL NUMBER: Tells what sequence the transmission was built.
SHIFT BUILT: Tells what shift the transmission was built.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.