How to decode a 1989 Ford Aerostar VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 Ford Aerostar VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designating the vehicle manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. In the case of the 1989 Ford Aerostar, the WMI “1FM” identifies it as a product of Ford Motor Company, specifically indicating that it is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) produced in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. This classification informs users and service providers about the vehicle’s brand, its intended use, and its place of manufacture. The WMI is a crucial component of automotive identification systems, ensuring a standardized method of vehicle recognition worldwide. For the 1989 Ford Aerostar, this means its VIN begins with “1FM”, connecting it to a specific set of characteristics defined by its manufacturer and country of origin.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 Ford Aerostar
WMI: 1FM
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1989, 1991-1997
- Example VIN: 1FMCA11U0KZA22737
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1989 Ford Aerostar 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 Ford Aerostar:
| Known VDS for a 1989 Ford Aerostar |
|---|
| CA11U |
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 Ford Aerostar 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 Ford Aerostar VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 Ford Aerostar VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 Ford Aerostar Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z | Hazelwood (St. Louis) | Missouri | United States | 1FMCA11U0KZA22737 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 Ford Aerostar
The final 6 characters in a 1989 Ford Aerostar’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Ford Aerostar’s VIN below:
How to find a 1989 Ford Aerostar’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 Ford Aerostar is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1989 Ford Aerostar. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). It’s common to find a label with the VIN in this area.
- Check the front of the engine block. The VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Examine the frame of the vehicle. On older models like the 1989 Ford Aerostar, the VIN may be stamped on the chassis or the frame of the car, often under the hood or within the engine compartment.
- Review your vehicle’s paperwork. The VIN will be listed on the title, registration, and insurance documents associated with your Ford Aerostar.
- Look at the vehicle maintenance records. If you have access to these records, the VIN is usually printed on all service documentation.
What info can a 1989 Ford Aerostar VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it is likely a 1989 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Make and Model: The vehicle make identified from the VIN is Ford, and the specific model is the Aerostar, a detail crucial for identification and comparison.
- Engine Specifications: The engine of this Ford Aerostar is characterized as a V-Shaped configuration with a displacement of 3.0 liters (182 cubic inches), producing power from 145 horsepower, which can give insights into its performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, an important factor for consumers concerned with fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN reveals the body class as a Minivan, equipped with 3 doors, indicating its function as a multipurpose passenger vehicle designed for family or group transportation.
- Safety Features: The VIN specifies the vehicle comes with manual seat belts, reflecting the safety standards and features available during the vehicle’s manufacturing year.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN traces the Ford Aerostar’s production to Hazelwood (St. Louis), Missouri, United States, offering insights into its manufacturing origin which can influence parts availability and market value.
Don’t have your 1989 Ford Aerostar’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 Ford Aerostar
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Minivan |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 3000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 182 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 3 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 145 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Model | Aerostar |
| Model Year | 1989 |
| Other Engine Info | Fuel Injection Type: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Plant City | Hazelwood (St. Louis) |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Missouri |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Window Wagon |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FMCA11U*KZ |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | 1FMCA11U0KZA22737 |
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