How to decode a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which specifically identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. It reveals essential information about the car, including the manufacturer’s name, the vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, the WMI “4A3” denotes that Mitsubishi Motors North America, located in Cypress, California, United States, produced this passenger car. This system of identification is crucial for tracking, registration, and recall purposes, providing a standardized method to recognize the vehicle’s manufacturing origin and type at a glance.
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
WMI: 4A3
- Model Years Covered: 1997-1999, 2001-2005, 2007-2009, 2011-2012
- Example VIN: 4A3AX35G1VE005433
- Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors North America
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Cypress
- State or Province: California
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder:
| Known VDS for a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder | |
|---|---|
| AX35G | AX55F |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 |
11th Character in the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Bloomington-Normal | Illinois | United States | 4A3AX35G1VE005433 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
The final 6 characters in a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder’s VIN below:
How to find a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, near where the windshield meets the dash. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area. There will typically be a label or a sticker containing the VIN where the door latches when closed.
- Check the firewall of the vehicle, the metal partition separating the engine bay from the cabin, as it often has the VIN stamped onto a plate or directly onto the metal.
- Look in the trunk under the spare tire. Sometimes the VIN is stamped on the body of the car there.
What info can a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Type and Performance: The VIN may encode various engine specifications, including the displacement (2.0L or 2000.0CC or 122.04748818946CI), fuel delivery type (Multipoint Fuel Injection - MPFI), and valve train design (Dual Overhead Cam - DOHC), offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: Safety equipment present in the vehicle, such as the front airbag locations in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, can be decoded from the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s safety features.
- Manufacturing Information: The VIN can provide information about where the vehicle was manufactured, including the plant city (Bloomington-Normal), state (Illinois), and country (United States), offering insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing origins.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can offer unique identity for each vehicle, such as the Eclipse Spyder PREMIUM series, indicating specific make and model details.
- Fuel System and Seat Belt Type: Details regarding the fuel system, such as the vehicle having Multipoint Fuel Injection, and the type of seat belts (manual) equipped, can be extrapolated from the VIN, demonstrating the depth of vehicle specification available.
Don’t have your 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 122.04748818946 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.0 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Model | Eclipse Spyder |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| Other Engine Info | MPI DOHC 2T/C, 2I/C |
| Plant City | Bloomington-Normal |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Illinois |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | PREMIUM |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 4A3AX55F*VE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 4A3AX55F0VE044968 |
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