Technicians may have noticed that some schematics and diagnostic procedures in the Service Information show a component code along with the part name (for example, K36 SDM). So, what exactly is K36?
Today, with General Motors vehicles sold globally, the Service Information is written once and then translated into many different languages. The schematics and diagnostic procedures are translated into other languages at different times by different individuals. This can cause a part name to appear differently between the two documents, such as purge solenoid vs. purging solenoid.
To assist the technician in identifying a common part when the part names appear differently, a component code is created. These codes are not translated, so they are always the same even though the part name may have a slight variance after translation. The component codes will always be the same once assigned to a unique part name and will only be found on the schematics, their support information, and in the diagnostic procedures Circuit/System Verification, Circuit/System Testing, and Component Testing categories.
Schematics and Support Information
The component codes used on the schematics will have the base code with an extension to identify location or quantity. (Fig. 9)
(Fig. 9)
Here's an example: the ABS wheel speed sensors are identified on the schematic with a base code (B5) and a location extension (LF, RF, LR, and RR) as listed below:
- B5LF Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) - Left Front
- B5RF Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) - Right Front
- B5LR Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) - Left Rear
- B5RR Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) - Right Rear
B5 is the base code for the wheel speed sensor and the LF, RF, LR, and RR indicate the location on the vehicle.
In addition to the schematics, these codes will also appear in the master electrical component list, connector end views, and component/harness routing view legends. In order to maintain the sequence of lists in all languages, the master list and the connector end views will be sorted by component code rather than by component name.
Because not all fuse blocks have labels showing abbreviated fuse names, a fuse code will be assigned for each fuse as well. Fuse names will be identified by four characters and will be specific to the vehicle publication.
1st Character
F = Fuse, Circuit Breaker
2nd Character
Position number within the block
3rd Character
Alpha character defining the block position within the vehicle
U = Engine Compartment (underhood)
D = I/P (within instrument panel)
P = Passenger Compartment (not in I/P, can be in center console)
R = Body Rear (rear of the passenger compartment or rear compartment)
4th Character
Alpha character (starting with A, B, C ...) identifying whether there is more than one block residing in the same area on the vehicle within the same vehicle publication.
Examples:
- Fuse 11 on a vehicle with one block within the engine compartment would be F11UA
- Fuse 13 of a vehicle with two blocks within the engine compartment would be F13UA and F13UB
Only the assigned fuse codes will appear on the schematic graphic. Both the assigned fuse code and the name on the label (if one exists) will appear in the fuse block usage table within the Electrical Center Identification Views document located in the Wiring Systems and Power Management category.
Diagnostic Procedures
The diagnostic procedures will use the base code (B5) for a wheel speed sensor, but may or may not use the extension identifying location (LF, RF, LR, and RR).
For example: Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate B5 wheel speed sensor.
This is done so the diagnostic procedure can be common for all four wheel speed sensors and not have to take into account part location or quantity. When the diagnostic procedure states "the appropriate" part, it is up to the technician to identify which component is being diagnosed by the symptom stated on the repair order (e.g., driver's door lock is inoperative) or by the DTC descriptor (e.g., DTC C0585 04 - Left Rear Actuator Circuit Open).
Now, the next time you read about a K36, you'll know that it is a Sensing and Diagnostic Module in any language.
- Thanks to David Nowak and Lou Winters
Today, with General Motors vehicles sold globally, the Service Information is written once and then translated into many different languages. The schematics and diagnostic procedures are translated into other languages at different times by different individuals. This can cause a part name to appear differently between the two documents, such as purge solenoid vs. purging solenoid.
To assist the technician in identifying a common part when the part names appear differently, a component code is created. These codes are not translated, so they are always the same even though the part name may have a slight variance after translation. The component codes will always be the same once assigned to a unique part name and will only be found on the schematics, their support information, and in the diagnostic procedures Circuit/System Verification, Circuit/System Testing, and Component Testing categories.
Schematics and Support Information
The component codes used on the schematics will have the base code with an extension to identify location or quantity. (Fig. 9)
(Fig. 9)
Here's an example: the ABS wheel speed sensors are identified on the schematic with a base code (B5) and a location extension (LF, RF, LR, and RR) as listed below:
- B5LF Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) - Left Front
- B5RF Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) - Right Front
- B5LR Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) - Left Rear
- B5RR Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) - Right Rear
B5 is the base code for the wheel speed sensor and the LF, RF, LR, and RR indicate the location on the vehicle.
In addition to the schematics, these codes will also appear in the master electrical component list, connector end views, and component/harness routing view legends. In order to maintain the sequence of lists in all languages, the master list and the connector end views will be sorted by component code rather than by component name.
Because not all fuse blocks have labels showing abbreviated fuse names, a fuse code will be assigned for each fuse as well. Fuse names will be identified by four characters and will be specific to the vehicle publication.
1st Character
F = Fuse, Circuit Breaker
2nd Character
Position number within the block
3rd Character
Alpha character defining the block position within the vehicle
U = Engine Compartment (underhood)
D = I/P (within instrument panel)
P = Passenger Compartment (not in I/P, can be in center console)
R = Body Rear (rear of the passenger compartment or rear compartment)
4th Character
Alpha character (starting with A, B, C ...) identifying whether there is more than one block residing in the same area on the vehicle within the same vehicle publication.
Examples:
- Fuse 11 on a vehicle with one block within the engine compartment would be F11UA
- Fuse 13 of a vehicle with two blocks within the engine compartment would be F13UA and F13UB
Only the assigned fuse codes will appear on the schematic graphic. Both the assigned fuse code and the name on the label (if one exists) will appear in the fuse block usage table within the Electrical Center Identification Views document located in the Wiring Systems and Power Management category.
Diagnostic Procedures
The diagnostic procedures will use the base code (B5) for a wheel speed sensor, but may or may not use the extension identifying location (LF, RF, LR, and RR).
For example: Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate B5 wheel speed sensor.
This is done so the diagnostic procedure can be common for all four wheel speed sensors and not have to take into account part location or quantity. When the diagnostic procedure states "the appropriate" part, it is up to the technician to identify which component is being diagnosed by the symptom stated on the repair order (e.g., driver's door lock is inoperative) or by the DTC descriptor (e.g., DTC C0585 04 - Left Rear Actuator Circuit Open).
Now, the next time you read about a K36, you'll know that it is a Sensing and Diagnostic Module in any language.
- Thanks to David Nowak and Lou Winters
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