How to decode a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that is assigned to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe, serving as the initial three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse, the WMI code “4A3” specifically identifies the vehicle as being manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors North America, with operations based in Cypress, California, United States. The WMI not only reveals the manufacturer but also indicates the vehicle type, in this case, a passenger car. This code is crucial for identifying vehicle specifics, tracing its history, and validating authenticity. Spanning production years from 1991 through 2012 for certain models, the “4A3” identifier is pivotal for owners and service professionals in pinpointing the exact origins of the vehicle.
List of WMI Codes for a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse
WMI: 4A3
- Model Years Covered: 1991-1992, 1994-2012
- Example VIN: 4A3CT64U4ME117543
- Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors North America
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Cypress
- State or Province: California
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse 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 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse:
| Known VDS for a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse | |
|---|---|
| CT64U | CS54U |
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 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse 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 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 1991 |
11th Character in the 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Bloomington-Normal | Illinois | United States | 4A3CT64U4ME117543 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse
The final 6 characters in a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Mitsubishi Eclipse’s VIN below:
How to find a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mitsubishi Eclipse, specifically near where the dashboard meets the windshield. It’s often visible from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). There should be a sticker or plate with the VIN.
- Check under the hood; the VIN might also be stamped on the front engine block.
- Review the frame of the vehicle; sometimes the VIN is stamped on the car frame or the chassis.
- Examine your insurance card or policy, as the VIN for your Mitsubishi Eclipse is usually listed there.
- Look through your vehicle’s service records or at the title/registration documents where the VIN is typically recorded.
What info can a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating the year 1991, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, and the number of doors, possibly 3, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN may detail engine specifications, including a displacement of 2.0 liters (2000.0 CC or 122.047 CI), the possible presence of a turbo, and additional features like Multi Point Injectors and a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s performance.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides manufacturing details such as the plant city of Bloomington-Normal, possibly located in the state of Illinois, and country, potentially the United States, conveying possible insights into the vehicle’s origin.
- Turbo Information: The VIN may specify the presence of a turbocharger, possibly denoting enhanced engine performance, contributing to potential power and speed.
- Safety Features: The type of seat belt, such as Automatic, can be inferred from the VIN, possibly hinting at the vehicle’s safety features and standards, contributing to potential occupant protection.
Don’t have your 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 122.04748818946 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.0 |
| Doors | 3 |
| Model | Eclipse |
| Model Year | 1991 |
| Other Engine Info | Multi Point Injectors |
| Plant City | Bloomington-Normal |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Illinois |
| Seat Belt Type | Automatic |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 4A3CS54U*ME |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 4A3CS54U0ME113986 |
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