Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Identification Coding
General Motors engines may be identified by the 8th digit of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN Number) located on the left, upper side of the instrument panel. This number is visible through the windshield from outside the vehicle. An additional identification code number will be found on the engine. This number identifies emission control equipment for a specific engine size and application and may be used by more than one of the following manufacturers.
| Engine | Code |
|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-Cyl. (VIN 5) | AL, AM, AN, AO, CH, CK, CL |
| 2.8L V6 (VIN X) | DBA, DBB, DBC, DBD, DBM, DBN, DBR, DBS, DJA, DJB, DJC |
| 3.8L V6 (VIN A) | NA, NB, NC, ND, NF, NL, LZ, RA, RB, RK, RL, RC, RD |
| 3.8L V6 (VIN 3) | NE, NR, NG, RO, RR |
| 4.1L V6 (VIN 4) | SA, SB, SC, SD, SF, SG, SJ, SK, SL, SM, SN, SP, SQ |
| 4.3L V8 (VIN S) | AW, AZ, BA, DB, DC, DH, DJ |
| 5.0L V8 (VIN Y) | TKA, TKB, TKC, TKJ, TKL, TKM, TKP, TKT, TKU, TKX, TKY, TKZ, TLA, TLB, TLD, TLF, TLH, TLJ, TLK, TLL, TLM, TLN, TLP, TLR, TLT |
| 5.7L V8 (VIN N) | VKB, VKC, VKH, VKJ, VKN, VKR, VKU, VKY, VLA, VLC, VLD, VLK, VLL, VLN, VLP, VL8, VLY, VMJ, VMT, VMX, VMY, VNA, VNB, VNC, VND, VNE, VNL, VNR, VNT, VNU, VNZ, VPA, VPK, VPL, VPT, VPU, VPX, VPY, VPZ |
| Engine | Code |
|---|---|
| 4.1L V6 (VIN 4) | SA, SB, SC, SD, SF, SG, SJ, SK, SL, SM, SN, SP, SQ |
| 5.7L V8 (VIN N) | VKB, VKC, VKH, VKJ, VKN, VKR, VKU, VKY, VLA, VLC, VLD, VLK, VLL, VLN, VLP, VL8, VLY, VMJ, VMT, VMX, VMY, VNA, VNB, VNC, VND, VNE, VPB, VPC, VPD, VPF |
| 6.0L V8 (VIN 9) | AA, BA, CA, DA, FA, HA |
| Engine | Code |
|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-Cyl. (VIN 9) | DCA, DCB, DCC, DCD, DCF, DCY, DCZ, DCW, DCX, DCU, DCH, DCJ, DCK, DCM, DCN |
| 2.5L 4-Cyl. (VIN 5) | AL, AM, AN, AO, CH, CK, CL |
| 2.8L V6 (VIN X) | DBA, DBB, DBC, DBD, DBM, DBN, DBR, DBS, DJA, DJB, DJC |
| 2.8L V6 (VIN Z) | DBU, DBX, DJD, DJF |
| 3.8L V6 (VIN A) | NA, NB, NC, ND, NF, NL, LZ, RA, RB, RK, RL, RC, RD |
| 3.8L V6 (VIN K) | DAA, DAB, DAC, DAD, DAH, DAJ, DAK, D7A, D7B |
| 3.8L V6 (VIN 3) | NE, NR, RO, RR |
| 4.4L V8 (VIN J) | DFA, DFC, DFD, DFF, DFH, D8A, D8C, D8D, D8F, D8H, DFK |
| 5.0L V8 (VIN H) | DHA, DHB, DHC, DHD, DKH, DHF, DHH, DHJ, DHK, DKJ, DHZ, DKB, D6A, D6B, D6C, D6D, DHU, DKF |
| 5.7L V8 (VIN L) | DMA, DMC, DMD, D5A, D5B, DMB, DMF, DMH |
| 5.7L V8 (VIN N) | VKB, VKC, VKH, VKJ, VKN, VKR, VKU, VKY, VLA, VLC, VLD, VLK, VLL, VLN, VLP, VL8, VLY, VMJ, VMT, VMX, VMY, VNA, VNB, VNC, VND, VNE, VPK, VPL, VPT, VPU, VPX |
| 5.7L V8 (VIN 6) | ZDA, ZDB, ZDC, ZDD |
| Engine | Code |
|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-Cyl. (VIN 5) | AL, AM, AN, AO, CH, CK, CL |
| 2.8L V6 (VIN X) | DBA, DBB, DBC, DBD, DBM, DBN, DBR, DBS, DJA, DJB, DJC |
| 3.8L V6 (VIN A) | NA, NB, NC, ND, NF, NL, LZ, RA, RB, RK, RL, RC, RD |
| 4.1L V6 (VIN 4) | SA, SB, SC, SD, SF, SG, SJ, SK, SL, SM, SN, SP, SQ |
| 4.3L V8 (VIN F) | QKA, QKB, QKC, QKH, QKJ, QKK, QKP, QKM, QKN, QKR, QKT, QKU |
| 5.0L V8 (VIN Y) | TKA, TKB, TKC, TKJ, TKL, TKM, TKP, TKT, TKU, TKX, TKY, TKZ, TLA, TLB, TLD, TLF, TLH, TLJ, TLK, TLL, TLM, TLN, TLP, TLR |
| 5.7L V8 (VIN N) | VKB, VKC, VKH, VKJ, VKN, VKR, VKU, VKY, VLA, VLC, VLD, VLK, VLL, VLN, VLP, VL8, VLY, VMJ, VMT, VMX, VMY, VNA, VNB, VNC, VND, VNE, VNJ, VNK, VNL, VNP, VNR, VNT, VNU, VNZ, VPA, VPK, VPL, VPM, VPN, VPP, VPR, VPS, VPT, VPU, VPW, VPX, VPY, VPZ |
| Engine | Code |
|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-Cyl. (VIN 5) | AL, AM, AN, AO, CH, CK, CL |
| 2.8L V6 (VIN X) | DBA, DBB, DBC, DBD, DBM, DBN, DBR, DBS, DJA, DJB, DJC |
| 2.8L V6 (VIN Z) | DBU, DBX, DJD, DJF |
| 3.8L V6 (VIN A) | NA, NB, NC, ND, NF, NL, NZ, LZ, RA, RB, RK, RL, RC, RD |
| 4.3L V8 (VIN S) | AU, AW, AZ, BA, DB, DC, DH, DJ |
| 4.9L V8 (VIN T) | BO, CJ |
| 4.9L V8 (VIN W) | BD, BJ, BO, CJ |
| 5.0L V8 (VIN H) | DHA, DHB, DHC, DHD, DHF, DHH, DHJ, DHK, DHZ, DKB, D6A, D6B, D6C, D6D, DHU, DHZ |
| 5.0L V8 (VIN Y) | TKA, TKB, TKC, TKJ, JKL, TKM, TKP, TKT, TKU, TKX, TKY, TKZ, TLA, TLB, TLD, TLF, TLH, TLJ, TLK, TLL, TLM, TLN |
| 5.7L V8 (VIN N) | VKB, VKC, VKH, VKJ, VKN, VKR, VKU, VKY, VLA, VLC, VLD, VLK, VLL, VLN, VLP, VL8, VLY, VMJ, VMT, VMX, VMY, VNA, VNB, VNC, VND, VNE, VNJ, VNK, VNR, VNU, VPK, VPL, VPP, VPR, VPS, VPU, VPX |
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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