How to decode a Dodge 400 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Dodge 400 VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or three-digit codes assigned to car manufacturers to identify the make of a vehicle. These codes are the initial part of the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that is used worldwide to uniquely identify individual motor vehicles. In the case of the Dodge 400, the WMI is 1B3, which signifies a passenger car produced by FCA US LLC, located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States. The model years covered by this specific WMI are 1982-1983, indicating the period during which vehicles with this identifier were manufactured. This system ensures that each vehicle can be accurately traced to its manufacturer, model, and production details.
List of WMI Codes for a Dodge 400
WMI: 1B3
- Model Years Covered: 1982-1983
- Example VIN: 1B3BV45D2CG152856
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge 400 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 Dodge 400:
| Known VDS for a Dodge 400 | |
|---|---|
| BV45D | BV55C |
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 Dodge 400 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 Dodge 400 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| D | 1983 Dodge 400 |
| C | 1982 Dodge 400 |
11th Character in the Dodge 400 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Dodge 400 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | Fenton | Missouri | United States | St. Louis Plant #1 | 1B3BV45D2CG152856 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge 400
The final 6 characters in a Dodge 400’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a Dodge 400’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Dodge 400 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of the Dodge 400. You’ll usually find the VIN through the windshield on a metal or plastic identification plate.
- Look inside the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Dodge 400. The VIN might be located on a sticker or metal plate where the door latches when closed.
- Examine the engine block of the Dodge 400. The VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself, which you can find by opening the hood.
- Check the vehicle registration documents or the insurance policy for the Dodge 400, as these documents always contain the VIN.
- For older models like the Dodge 400, consider checking under the rear wheel well. Sometimes, the VIN is placed on the chassis or frame of the vehicle, visible when you look behind the wheel.
- Inspect the firewall of the vehicle’s engine compartment for a metal plate containing the VIN. This is a common location in many vehicles, including the Dodge 400.
What info can a Dodge 400 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 1982, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: It’s possible that the VIN indicates the vehicle’s type as a Passenger Car and body class as a Convertible/Cabriolet, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Details: The VIN could possibly provide specifics about the engine, such as it being an In-Line configuration with 4 cylinders and a displacement of 2.6 Liters, potentially offering insight into the vehicle’s performance.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle may be Gasoline, giving insight into fuel consumption and environmental impact.
- Plant Information: Manufacturing details, possibly including the plant city (Fenton), the company name (ST. LOUIS PLANT #1), and the plant country (United States), are often encoded within the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s production location.
- Safety Features: The type of seat belt, in this example being Manual, possibly provides a glimpse into the safety features of the vehicle, contributing to an understanding of its safety components.
- Vehicle Specifications: Basic make and model information, such as the model 400 and additional specifications like door count (2 doors), are typically encoded within the VIN, providing fundamental details about the vehicle’s specifications.
Don’t have your Dodge 400’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge 400
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 2600.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 158.66173464630 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.6 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | 400 |
| Model Year | 1982 |
| Plant City | Fenton |
| Plant Company Name | ST. LOUIS PLANT #1 |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Missouri |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series2 | High |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1B3BV45D*CG |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1B3BV45D2CG152856 |
Decode a Dodge VIN
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