The Vanagon Dictionary
Get to know your Volkswagen.
Look up Vanagon, EuroVan and Volkswagen Bus terms, then follow the definitions to their sources.
About the Dictionary and its data
Definitions and source records come from the shared Dictionary, which remains available at dictionary.vanagon.com.
API and data detailsResults for “code”
11 public entries · page 1 of 1
M-Code
Vehicle models and historyEnglish · machine-assisted draft
option code for VW factory-installed features
- vw
- option
Engine code
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Unique identifier assigned to a specific engine configuration
- engine
- code
Modification code
Tools and maintenance terminologyEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A code indicating a modification or change to a vehicle part
- identification
- nomenclature
Transponder
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A device that transmits a code to the car's electronics to authorize engine start
- security
- key
Sub-group number
Tools and maintenance terminologyEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A two-digit code indicating a sub-category of a vehicle part
- identification
- nomenclature
Body Number
Vehicle models and historyEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A number stamped behind the passenger front seat on buses, used before the M-Code plate.
- bus
- body
Water-cooled engine
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
An engine that circulates liquid coolant through passages and a radiator to carry heat away. Gerry’s Vanagon spark-plug reference lists DH water-cooled engines with Digijet for 1983–1985 and MV engines with Digifant for 1986–1991. Verify engine code, market, and model year; this archived table is an identification aid, not a complete application chart.
- engine
- water-cooled
Exhaust intermediate pipe
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
An intermediate section of the exhaust system that joins adjoining exhaust components before the silencer. Paruzzi lists this part for Vanagon/T25 1.9- and 2.1-liter Waterboxer models from October 1985 through July 1992, with a 50 mm diameter at both ends. Earlier systems and different engine codes may use other sections; match the actual exhaust layout and catalog reference.
- exhaust
- vanagon
- waterboxer
Waterboxer
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Community name for Volkswagen’s water-cooled, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine family used in Vanagons. Gerry’s technical index covers 1.9 L and 2.1 L versions and year-specific service topics. A January 2004 archive thread describes an owner’s 1983 1.9 L Waterboxer running roughly when cold but normally after warming up; it records the symptom and discussion, not a universal cause or fix. Identify the engine code and model year before using parts or service information.
- engine
- water-cooled
Air-cooled engine
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
An engine that rejects heat directly to moving air rather than circulating liquid coolant. Gerry’s spark-plug reference separates bus applications by engine code and period: ED/GD/GE for 1975–1979 and CV for 1980–1983, including California models. A May 2002 Gerry discussion titled “83 Air Cooled - Production dates” concerns an owner’s September 1983 Westfalia and the difficulty of finding comparable 1983 examples; it is a period-specific production question, not a universal fitment chart.
- engine
- air-cooled
Digifant ECU
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
The electronic control unit (ECU) is part of Volkswagen’s Digifant fuel-injection and engine-management system. Gerry’s 1986–1991 technical bulletin index distinguishes these applications from the earlier Digijet years. In a January 1999 list thread, an owner of a 1986 Westfalia reported that the engine quit after cooling-system bleeding and asked whether fuel starvation or a failed Digifant component was involved; the thread records a troubleshooting question, not a confirmed diagnosis. Check engine code and market before identifying an ECU.
- vanagon
- ecu