I've tried to figure out what all the data on the identification plate mean. I have seen some earlier cars in the junkyard with more information on their plates, and I have not figured out what one line of my plate means.

On the right side I have:

31 = USA
6988 = Interior
019-23 = Exterior paint
Empty line
031E24A = Suspension
G9 = ????

The suspension line is broken down as follows. I used the parts database to confirm these and verify that I don't have Nivomat.

03 = Front shock and spring
1 = Front sway bar
E = Rear shock [E/H/T/X/Y are not Nivomat, J/K/U/V/W/Z are Nivomat]
2 = Rear spring
4 = Rear sway bar
A = Rear bump rubber

I'd like to find out if I can identify the steering gear and brakes from codes printed on this plate or one of the door sill stickers.

 

It is too late to check our car in the driveway tonight, but the 019 in your third line is the code for black paint (colors in the sales brochure also use these codes). Our cars are both 426, which is the bright "Mystic Silver" color. However, the interior colors in the brochure do not have numeric codes. That said, I think the 23 in the third line might be the interior color code. The sales brochure actually lists five leather interior color options, * colors were not offered in Canada:
Light Beige*
Dark Grey (which we have)
Light Grey*
Light Taupe
Taupe

 

G9 is your emissions code. You car has a 3-way cat, EVAP Vac, and Heated Oxygen Sensor. You don't seem to have EGR or Air Pump.

Marketing Code 31 is not for US, but for California.

23 after the 019 Exterior Paint Code is: 2 is the Paint Supplier (Herberis), 3 is for coatings: Water-borne, Base Solid + clear lacquer.

Your interior Code 6988 means: 6 for 900 series, 9 for Leather, 8 for Plush, 8 for Light Grey.

900 series 1996 or newer do not have the Steering Gear and Brake codes on any product plates.

1995 or earlier do.

 

Thanks for the information, I think some of the earlier 960s had EGR. The S90s all have a Pulsed Secondary Air Injection System. The remarks (and how our car behaves) state that the air pump activates 20 seconds after engine start IF the engine is between -10 C (14 F) and + 38 C (100 F), it then runs for 60 seconds. I actually think the electric air pump itself is energized sightly earlier to ensure pressure, then an electrically controlled valve opens at 20 seconds to apply vac to the large valve that allows air pressure to flow to the head. The temperature limits also explain why the air pump doesn't run after a warm engine start.

 

A quick thought on the brakes and steering, the S90s only had one selection / vendor for each. The rear brakes were changed from the earlier 960s with larger dia (277 vs 265 mm) and thicker (12 vs 10 mm) rotors. The rear caliper piston was also apparently reduced in size (38 vs 40 mm) and a relief valve was removed from the design.

In the earlier discussion on performance, the camshaft and control software changes apparently resulted in slightly higher torque spread at lower RPM (200 ft-lb quote at 4080 RPM vs 198 at 4320) with the lower Horsepower rating as well (183 HP at 5220 RPM vs 204 HP at 6000). The higher HP engine was available in both leaded and unleaded fuel markets, but not in the US or Canada.

 

You can read about the Air Pump in page 42 from Bosch Motronic literature here BOSCH_M7.4.4_ME7.4.4_EOBD

This is link is also at the resources, in the Sticky at the top.