How to decode a 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter codes that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insights into where and by whom a vehicle was made. For the 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van, the WMI is “1GN,” which indicates the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States. This WMI specifies that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its design and purpose for transporting people. The WMI code is the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as a key reference point for vehicle registration, identification, and regulatory purposes. Through the WMI “1GN,” we understand this 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van’s origins, manufacturer, and vehicle type, underscoring the importance of these codes in the automotive industry.
List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van
WMI: 1GC
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1992, 1994-2005
- Example VIN: 1GCDM19W2WB131771
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States WMI: 1GN
- Model Years Covered: 1987-2005
- Example VIN: 1GNDM19W0WB104169
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van 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 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van:
| Known VDS for a 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van | ||
|---|---|---|
| DM19W | EL19W | DL19W |
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 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van 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 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| W | 1998 |
11th Character in the 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Baltimore/Lansing (Craft Center) | Maryland | United States | Gm Truck Group/ Na-Gm Corp | 1GCDM19W2WB131771 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van
The final 6 characters in a 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Chevrolet Astro Van’s VIN below:
How to find a 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Astro Van. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a plate attached to the dashboard.
- Examine the door frame on the driver’s side of your 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van. The VIN might be found on a label or sticker located where the door latches when it is closed.
- Check the engine block of your Chevrolet Astro Van, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Inspect the vehicle frame near the windshield washer fluid container on the Chevrolet Astro Van for a stamped or printed VIN.
- Look at the rear wheel well above the tire. On some Chevrolet Astro Vans, the VIN can be found stamped into the frame.
- Finally, consult the Chevrolet Astro Van’s service and maintenance history records or the vehicle’s insurance documents, where the VIN will be recorded.
What info can a 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Type: A VIN provides specifics on the vehicle’s body class, indicating it is a Cargo Van with a distinct configuration, adding detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and layout.
- Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information can be decoded, including a 4.3L engine size, V-Shaped engine configuration, and the engine manufacturer WRN. This vehicle features a 6-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4300.0 CC or 262.4 CI, offering valuable insight into its performance capabilities.
- Drive Type and Brake System: The VIN indicates the vehicle’s drive type as 4x2 and carries a hydraulic brake system, which provides insights into the vehicle’s handling characteristics and brake performance.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Insight into the vehicle’s weight capacity is provided, with this specific model falling within Class 1D (5,001 - 6,000 lb / 2,268 - 2,722 kg), which can guide payload and towing capacity decisions, though there might be variability.
- Manufacturing Information: Information about the manufacturing location, including the plant city (Baltimore/Lansing), the plant state (Maryland), and the country (United States), along with the plant company name (GM Truck Group/NA-GM Corp), offers insight into the vehicle’s potential origin, although there may be exceptions.
- Vehicle Identification: Through the VIN, one can identify the vehicle’s series as Small Van and Extended Van with a trim indicating 1/2 ton nominal, providing a general understanding of the vehicle’s size and utility focus, although there could be further variations.
Don’t have your 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Cargo Van |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 4300.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 262.40209960734 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.3 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | WRN |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Model | Astro Van |
| Model Year | 1998 |
| Other Engine Info | CPI, 90 Degrees |
| Plant City | Baltimore/Lansing (Craft Center) |
| Plant Company Name | GM Truck Group/ NA-GM Corp |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Maryland |
| Series | Small Van |
| Series2 | Extended Van |
| Trim2 | 1/2 ton nominal |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1GCDM19W*WB |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample_VIN | 1GCDM19W2WB131771 |
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