GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

All engines and transmissions are stamped or laser etched with a partial Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which was derived from the complete VIN. A VIN derivative contains the following 9 positions:

Vin Derivative

Position

Definition

Character

Description

1

GM Division Identifier

C

H

K

N

T

Chevrolet Truck

Oldsmobile MPV

GMC MPV

Chevrolet MPV

GMC Truck

2

Model Year

1

2001

3

Assembly Plant

K

8

2

X

Linden, NJ

Shreveport, LA

Moraine, OH

E.E.M.S

4-9

Plant Sequence Number

--

Plant Sequence Number

A VIN derivative can be used to determine if a vehicle contains the original engine or transmission, by matching the VIN derivative positions to their accompanying positions in the complete VIN:

Vin Derivative Equivalent

VIN Derivative Position

Equivalent VIN Position

1

3

2

10

3

11

4-9

12-17