How to decode a 1998 Chevrolet Venture VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Chevrolet Venture VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. It provides vital information including the manufacturer’s name, the vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For example, the WMI ‘1GN’ signifies a vehicle manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This code is designated for Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs), indicating a versatile vehicle design catered to passenger transportation. The application of this WMI is evident in vehicles like the 1998 Chevrolet Venture, denoting its production under General Motors within the specified era and vehicle category.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Chevrolet Venture

WMI: 1GN

Model Years Covered: 1997-2005
Example VIN: 1GNDU03E0WD251218
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 Venture 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 Venture:

Known VDS for a 1998 Chevrolet Venture
DU03E	DX06E	DU06E	DX03E

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 Venture 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 Venture VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Chevrolet Venture VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Chevrolet Venture Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
D	Doraville	Georgia	United States	Na-Mcd Platform (Apv)	1GNDU03E0WD251218

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Chevrolet Venture

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Chevrolet Venture’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Venture’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Chevrolet Venture’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Chevrolet Venture is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Chevrolet Venture. The VIN is typically located on a plate that is visible through the windshield.
Inspect the driver’s side door jamb on your Chevrolet Venture. The VIN can be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Look at the frame of the vehicle underneath the hood. The VIN may be stamped onto the frame near the engine of your Chevy Venture.
Check the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance cards, or title for the VIN for your 1998 Chevrolet Venture.
Peek inside the glove compartment, there may be a sticker or plate with the VIN for your Venture.
Review the maintenance records or inspection sheets as they might contain the VIN of your Chevrolet Venture.

What info can a 1998 Chevrolet Venture VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The dataset details a Minivan named Venture, equipped with a 3.4 L (3400.0 CC) V-Shaped engine designed by FLT, suggesting specifics about its performance and size.
Drive Type and Transmission: The VIN indicates a 4x2 drive type, which means it is designed with two-wheel drive, and sports a hydraulic brake system, hinting at the vehicle’s handling and safety characteristics.
Fuel System: With a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) system, it suggests the vehicle probably has a balance of fuel efficiency and power, tailored for its engine capacity.
Weight Class: The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating classifies this vehicle within the 5,001 - 6,000 lb range, placing it in a specific category that can impact its use, regulatory requirements, and possibly its fuel efficiency.
Manufacturing Location: The VIN decode reveals that the Minivan was assembled in Doraville, Georgia, United States, offering clues to its manufacturing standards and logistical origins.
Safety and Engine Details: The presence of six cylinders in the engine and its designation as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle hints at the vehicle’s capacity for passenger safety and comfort, along with a reasonable expectation of power and performance.

Don’t have your 1998 Chevrolet Venture’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Chevrolet Venture

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Minivan
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	3400.0
Displacement (CI)	207.48072992208
Displacement (L)	3.4
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	FLT
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Venture
Model Year	1998
Plant City	Doraville
Plant Company Name	NA-MCD Platform (APV)
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Georgia
Series	All Purpose Vehicle
Vehicle Descriptor	1GNDU03E*WD
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GNDU03E0WD251218