What's The Simplest Method Of Obtaining A Build Sheet For An Old Chrysler?

[vvv]

At the turn of the century (1999) I used to be able to get a 'VIN Build Sheet' from my Chrysler dealer detailing the part numbers of all the components and subassemblies that went into an individual Jeep or Chrysler vehicle. The dealer would call head office for me and some time either later that day or the following day I would get a call informing me that my FAX had arrived.

 

That nice friendly dealer closed a long time ago. The last time I asked a Chrysler dealer for a build sheet they would only get one if I was bringing the vehicle in for them to do the work. How do I get a VIN Build Sheet from Chrysler now without bringing a vehicle in for work?

 

I need to find the part number for my TCM. The one on the car is 14 years old and the paint has fallen off the TCM and so has the sticker attached to it. I have located a number of used TCMs from breakers but I need the part number to choose the right one. My dealer wont tell me part numbers prior to paying for an order and I don't want to buy a brand new one.

Edited July 22, 2015 by vvv

[vvv]

I have just seen an example of a current VIN Build Sheet posted on a US forum and it appears that only code numbers for options, assemblies and subassemblies are published in the VIN sheet which isn't much use as a franchised dealer still has to decode to part number.

 

I have had enough of this type of thing, so I have written to my MEP to get it changed (see quote below).

 

I would like a change made to the European Union Whole Vehicle Type
Approval law and for the change to be back dated to encompass all
vehicles so far approved.

In the UK there are a large number of used private and commercial
vehicles purchased each year. Not everybody can afford to buy or
maintain a brand new vehicle. There are also a large number of people
and companies that cannot afford to maintain their older vehicle with
the manufacturer's new genuine replacement parts as these are often
priced according to the value of the vehicle when it was sold new.
Consequently, a market exists across Europe for genuine replacement
parts supplied by vehicle recyclers (Breakers).

However, it is not always possible to correctly identify the parts to
maintain the vehicle to its type approved state without having access
to accurate information concerning the manufacturer's part numbers for
the components used to make it. Manufacturers often withhold this
information and allow only their franchised dealers to have access to
it and to the linked lists of superseded part numbers. Non-franchised
workshops and vehicle owners do not have easy access to this
information.

I am currently in a situation where I have located a number of
recyclers that could supply the electronic part that I need, but none
of them can do so without me providing the correct part number as the
use of the wrong part will damage the vehicle. My options without the
part number are (1) Buy an expensive brand new part from the
manufacturer or (2) Scrap the car. I don't think that I am the only
person that has been faced with scrapping a significant asset of an
otherwise mechanically safe and usable vehicle that could be maintained
to a safe standard using recycled genuine parts.

I would like to see a new system implemented in law where current
owners and maintainers of EU WVTA vehicles can easily and freely obtain
a comprehensive list of the manufacturer's component part numbers and
their corresponding descriptions linked to a Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) for as long as at least one example of the vehicle type
remains in the EU. This will enable type approved vehicles to be
properly maintained with new or recycled type approved parts for the
entirety of their usable existence.

An existing EU law requires owners to fit only genuine replacement
catalytic converters to EU WVTA vehicles. How are owners and
maintainers supposed to do this if it is not possible to identify the
part numbers of components already fitted to a vehicle or that of new
replacement or recycled parts? Without a system in law to easily and
freely identify part numbers for type approved vehicles, no EU law
should exist that stipulates the use of any type approved parts after
the first sale and registration in the EU.

 

 

 

 

If you feel the same way, write your own letter to your MEP and lets see if we can fix this.