How to decode a 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 1996 Chevrolet Astro-Van, the WMI is “1GN,” indicating that it is a vehicle manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This particular WMI also reveals that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its versatility and function as a people carrier. Through these three characters, a wealth of information about the vehicle’s origins, type, and manufacturing location is efficiently communicated. Understanding the WMI is essential for accurately identifying and distinguishing vehicles on a global scale.
List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van
WMI: 1GN
- Model Years Covered: 1987-2005
- Example VIN: 1GNEL19W0TB126546
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States WMI: 1GC
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1992, 1994-2005
- Example VIN: 1GCDM19W0TB156177
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 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 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van:
| Known VDS for a 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van | |
|---|---|
| EL19W | DM19W |
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 1996 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 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 |
11th Character in the 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1996 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 | 1GNEL19W0TB126546 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van
The final 6 characters in a 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1996 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, near the corner where it meets the windshield. The VIN is commonly visible from the outside through the windshield.
- Examine the door frame on the driver’s side when you open the door of your 1996 Chevrolet Astro. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate in this area.
- Inspect the engine block of your Chevrolet Astro Van as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Take a look at the vehicle’s registration documents or insurance papers. The VIN of your Chevrolet Astro Van will be listed on all legal and official documents related to the vehicle.
What info can a 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it might be a 1996 model, offering insights into the vehicle’s age and potential market value.
- Body Class and Type: The VIN may indicate the vehicle is designed as a Cargo Van with specific characteristics such as being a Small Van and having a trim level indicating it’s a 1/2 ton nominal, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN encodes comprehensive engine details, suggesting it might be equipped with a V-Shaped, 4.3-liter (262.40209960734 CI or 4300.0 CC) engine from WRN manufacturer, possibly running on Gasoline, and featuring 6 cylinders.
- Drive Type and Brake System: The decoded VIN may reveal the vehicle has a 4x2 drive type and utilizes a Hydraulic brake system, which might speak volumes about its handling and safety features.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: By analyzing the VIN, one might uncover the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, possibly placing it in Class 1D, which ranges from 5,001 to 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg), hinting at its potential load-carrying capabilities.
- Plant Information: The decoding process also might highlight the manufacturing details, including the possibility of the plant city being Baltimore/Lansing (Craft Center), within the plant country United States, and possibly in the state of Maryland, providing insights into its potential production origin.
- Fuel Efficiency Insights: Although fuel efficiency specifics are not directly encoded in the VIN, the primary fuel type being Gasoline, combined with the engine’s displacement and vehicle weight class, may provide clues regarding its potential fuel consumption patterns.
Don’t have your 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 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 | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | WRN |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) |
| Model | Astro Van |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| 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 |
| Trim2 | 1/2 ton nominal |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1GNEL19W*TB |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | 1GNEL19W0TB126546 |
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