How to decode a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It’s the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, the country of manufacture, and the type of vehicle. In the case of the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, the WMI “1GN” signifies that the vehicle was produced by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, it indicates that the manufacturing plant was located in Warren, Michigan, and the vehicle falls under the category of a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). This alphanumeric code plays a crucial role in the global tracking and registration of vehicles.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer

WMI: 1GN

Model Years Covered: 1987-2005
Example VIN: 1GNCT18W0WK179888
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 Blazer 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 Blazer:

Known VDS for a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
CT18W	DT13W	CS13W	CS18W

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 Blazer 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 Blazer VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

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

Known 1998 Chevrolet Blazer Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
2	Moraine	Ohio	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNDT13W0W2107228
K	Linden	New Jersey	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNCT18W0WK179888

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer

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

Check your Chevrolet Blazer’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer’s VIN?

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

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Blazer. The VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle, just below the windshield.
Examine the door frame of the driver’s side door. The VIN is often located on a sticker or a plate where the door latches when closed.
Peer under the hood of your Chevrolet Blazer to check for a VIN plate mounted on the engine block, which may contain the VIN.
Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. In some vehicles, the VIN might be found stamped above the tire.
Review your Chevrolet Blazer’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or the title/ownership documents, which always contain the VIN.
Take a glance at the chassis of the vehicle. On older models like the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, the VIN is sometimes stamped on the frame.

What info can a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it could possibly be from the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Type: From the VIN, it may be deduced that the vehicle is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), which typically offers expanded interior space and versatility.
Engine Specifications: Information such as the engine’s manufacturer (WRN), configuration (V-Shaped), and displacement (4.3 liters or 262.40 cubic inches) might be encoded, potentially indicating the vehicle’s power capabilities.
Drive Type: The VIN suggests that the vehicle’s drive type could be identified as 4WD or 4-Wheel Drive/4x4, which might suggest enhanced off-road and adverse condition capabilities.
Brake System Type: The type of brake system, possibly Hydraulic, is specified, which could provide insights into the vehicle’s safety and performance attributes.
Manufacturing Details: The manufacturing location, including the plant city (Moraine), state (Ohio), and country (United States), along with the plant company name (GM Truck Group), may typically be determined, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s production background.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN suggests the vehicle falls within Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg), potentially helping in understanding the size, capacity, and possible usage of the vehicle.

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

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	4300.0
Displacement (CI)	262.40209960734
Displacement (L)	4.3
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	WRN
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	Blazer
Model Year	1998
Other Engine Info	CPI, 90 Degrees
Plant City	Linden
Plant Company Name	GM Truck Group
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	New Jersey
Series	Small Conventional Cab
Trim2	1/2 ton nominal
Vehicle Descriptor	1GNCS13W*WK
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GNCS13W1WK129852