How to decode a 1989 Buick Electra VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 Buick Electra VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial segment of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the maker of the vehicle and provides specific information including the vehicle type and manufacturing location. The WMI code “1G4” is associated with General Motors LLC in the United States, indicating that the vehicle is made by this manufacturer. For instance, a 1989 Buick Electra would carry this WMI, revealing that it is a passenger car produced by General Motors, specifically under the Buick brand. It also pinpoints the vehicle’s manufacturing city as Warren, Michigan. Thus, the WMI serves as a crucial identifier, disclosing significant details about the vehicle’s origins and type.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 Buick Electra
WMI: 1G4
- Model Years Covered: 1982-1984, 1986-1990
- Example VIN: 1G4CW54C0K1617064
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1989 Buick Electra 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 1989 Buick Electra:
| Known VDS for a 1989 Buick Electra | ||
|---|---|---|
| CW54C | CX54C | CU54C |
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 1989 Buick Electra 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 1989 Buick Electra VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 Buick Electra VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 Buick Electra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wentzville | Missouri | United States | Wentzville Assembly | 1G4CW54C0K1617064 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 Buick Electra
The final 6 characters in a 1989 Buick Electra’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1989 Buick Electra’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 Buick Electra is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the driver’s side dashboard of your 1989 Buick Electra, usually visible through the windshield.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Buick Electra; the VIN can typically be found on a label or sticker where the door closes.
- Examine the frame of the vehicle; the VIN might be stamped on the frame under the hood of your Electra, near the windshield washer fluid container.
- Inspect the engine block, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself in your 1989 Buick Electra.
- Review your vehicle’s documentation, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers, which will list the VIN of your Buick Electra.
- If your Buick Electra has its original maintenance book or owner’s manual, the VIN may be recorded inside these materials.
What info can a 1989 Buick Electra VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating the year 1989 and potentially providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Details: Information about the engine includes its configuration (possibly V-Shaped), displacement (approximately 3.8L or 231.89 cubic inches), and fuel injection type (potentially Multipoint Fuel Injection), offering insights into the vehicle’s potential performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type of the vehicle, such as gasoline, may suggest the vehicle’s compatibility with different fuel grades and environmental standards.
- Body Class and Doors: The vehicle’s body class is identified as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, potentially outlining the basic structural design and passenger access points.
- Manufacturing Information: The VIN may provide details about the plant’s location (potentially Wentzville, Missouri, United States) and the company name (possibly Wentzville Assembly), which could be essential for tracing the vehicle’s manufacturing quality and history.
- Safety Features: Features like the seat belt type being automatic may give an idea of the safety measures integrated into the vehicle design.
- Vehicle Specifications: Detailed specifics, such as the model name (potentially Electra), trim (Limited), and the engine manufacturer (potentially BOCF), may help in identifying the vehicle’s market positioning and level of luxury or performance enhancements.
Don’t have your 1989 Buick Electra’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 Buick Electra
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 231.89022755998 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | BOCF |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Electra |
| Model Year | 1989 |
| Plant City | Wentzville |
| Plant Company Name | Wentzville assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Missouri |
| Seat Belt Type | Automatic |
| Trim | Limited |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G4CX54C*K1 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G4CX54C3K1630436 |
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