Understanding module part numbers can be incredibly important when searching for replacement electronic control modules for servicing a vehicle. In this article we’ll attempt to help make sense(or at least as much as is possible) for modules produced by various different automakers. Today we’re going to attempt to tackle the part number schemes of the Detroit 3.
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury
Ford part numbers are a very informative part number format that tells you a bunch about the vehicle it was produced for, what type of module you have, as well as versioning information that can help you determine if your module has been updated or replaced. For example let’s break down a real cluster part number from a Ford F150.
FL3T-10849-CXJ
F = Year Code. This will directly match the VIN digit for the given year. In this case our instrument cluster is from a 2015 Model Year vehicle.
L3 = Model Code. This value tells us what vehicle this is produced for. In our case L3 is the Model Code for the F150.
T = Product Responsibility Code. This value tells us whether this module was produced as a part for the vehicle originally, or whether it was produced as a replacement later in it’s life cycle. In our situation T denotes that this was produced from the factory for this vehicle. Commonly when this digit is a Z it means that it was produced later in this vehicle’s life as a replacement. It’s worth noting that any SVT instrument clusters often come with a Z in this position.
10849 = Part Code. 10849 is the part code for an Instrument Cluster. A Body Control Module would have an entirely different code here, as would a Powertrain Control Module. Even Ford software components such as Software Strategies and Software Calibrations that are used in the flashing of control modules have a specific Part Code dedicated to that type of component.
CX = Hardware Version. This value can show up as either a single digit, or two digits. If we were searching for a replacement instrument cluster we’d be able to ensure compatibility with our original unit by matching the entire part number up until and including this value. So in our case a FL3T-10849-CXH would work to replace our FL3T-10849-CXJ. Commonly on instrument clusters you will often find that US market parts will be given the “odd” values where their Canadian equivalents are given the “even” values. For example a FL3T-10849-AB would be a US market instrument cluster where a FL3T-10849-BB would be the Canadian market equivalent. In the case of our part number(which is Canadian) with a 3 digit suffix of CXJ, we’d find our US equivalent would be FL3T-10849-CJJ. The reason for the 3 digit suffixes not following the rule is simply they’re allocated after all 2 digit ones have been used and often do not follow the schema at times as they’re often after thoughts.
J = Software Version. This value will only appear on modules with software. When new vehicles are prepared for assembly this value will always a A. However any subsequent software revision will be increase this number. And you may find that before a vehicle ever actually makes it to the assembly line that software revisions have already been applied. For example in our case the public wouldn’t be able to find a FL3T-10849-CXA instrument cluster floating around as by the time these vehicles hit dealers they were already at FL3T-10849-CXC. You will find that while dealers are instructed to change the label on the outside of an instrument cluster when they update a module’s Software Strategy, and effectively change it’s part number, they do not the majority of the time. Many times the best way to determine a module’s part number is to run a “Get Module Information” in VehicleLink to be absolutely certain of the part number of your given module.
GM(Buick/Chevrolet/Cadillac/GMC/Hummer/Oldsmobile/Pontiac/Saturn)
GM uses a more abstract part numbering system that sees a part as a more generic component. GM uses an 8 digit part number, which gradually increases as new parts are introduced. For example 84141852 is the part number for the US instrument cluster from a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. Now this part number doesn’t do anything to help us determine the vehicle it’s for, or the type of module it is. One of the only trends to derive from GM part numbers applies to parts for US and Canadian market vehicles. Often(see: Not always!) a Canadian instrument cluster part number is 1 digit down or up from the US equivalent. In the case of our Malibu our US part number is 84141852, and our Canadian part number is 84141853. However as these part numbers are assigned at random we’ll find that in some models such as the 2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaros the relationship between Canadian and US parts is much harder to figure out. In some cases you’ll find there’s really no relationship to them at all.
Chrysler(Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram)
Chrysler uses a bit of a hybrid between the Ford and GM part numbering systems. P68434839AD is the part number of a Canadian market 2020 Ram 1500 instrument cluster. We can break this down a little bit:
P = Optional prefix for the part number. You’ll find that many modules have or do not have this value. Often when you order parts from a Chrysler dealer they won’t even ask for this value. It really makes no difference.
68434839 = This is our actual part number. This value is assigned at random like GM does. However there is often no correlation between US and Canadian part numbers. This number like GM also doesn’t tell us about vehicle fitment, what type of module this is, or any other information.
A = Hardware number. This is very similar to the Ford system where as long as the part number up until and including this part matches you’re guaranteed to have a perfect physical match.
D = Software Version. This will change with software updates. And like the Fords while dealers are requested to replace the decals to reflect the new part number upon completing software updates you’ll find they rarely ever do. Your best way to ensure you have the correct part number is to use VehicleLink’s “Get Module Information” function to get the module’s actual part number instead of relying on the part number decal.
This concludes our run down of the large American automakers. We hope to slowly add to this series to ensure technicians are as knowledgeable as possible when it comes to the vehicles they’re servicing.