How to decode a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). It consists of the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and provides vital information about the car’s make and country of origin. For the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse, the WMI ‘4A3’ indicates that Mitsubishi Motors North America, located in Cypress, California, United States, manufactured this vehicle. The WMI not only identifies the manufacturer but also specifies the type of vehicle, in this case, a passenger car. This coding system is essential for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse
WMI: 4A3
- Model Years Covered: 1991-1992, 1994-2012
- Example VIN: 4A3AK44Y1VE048877
- 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 1997 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 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse:
| Known VDS for a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AK44Y | AK54F | AL54F | AK34Y |
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 1997 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 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 |
11th Character in the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 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 | 4A3AK44Y1VE048877 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse
The final 6 characters in a 1997 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 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1997 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. You can usually see the VIN through the windshield.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse for a sticker or plate that has the VIN.
- Under the hood, check for a VIN plate located on the engine block, which can be found by opening the hood of your Mitsubishi Eclipse.
- Inspect the rear wheel well; the VIN might be visible above the tire.
- If available, check the vehicle’s insurance or ownership documents, which should list the VIN of your Mitsubishi Eclipse.
What info can a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being the year 1997. This provides insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was assembled in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, United States, which may offer insights into the manufacturing standards and specifics of the time.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN identifies the vehicle as a Mitsubishi Eclipse with a 2.0 L engine displacement. This information encapsulates the brand, model, engine size, and configuration, providing a concise overview of the car’s foundational specifications.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN reveals that the vehicle is a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 3 doors, offering a clear picture of the vehicle’s design and functionality, which is crucial for understanding its aesthetic appeal and practical usage.
- Drive Type and Engine Details: The VIN specifies a 4x2 drive type, coupled with a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) system and a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design. These details contribute to a deeper understanding of the vehicle’s performance capabilities and technological attributes.
- Safety Features: The VIN indicates the presence of front airbags for both driver and passenger in the first row, highlighting the vehicle’s safety provisions, which can significantly influence buying decisions based on individual safety preferences.
- Fuel and Engine Management: The Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) type, along with additional engine information such as MPI DOHC, points towards the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and engine performance, offering insights into its operational economy and environmental impact.
- Plant Details and VIN Descriptor: The dataset also includes unique identifiers such as the plant details and a portion of the Vehicle Descriptor (4A3AK34Y*VE).
Don’t have your 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 122.04748818946 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.0 |
| Doors | 3 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Model | Eclipse |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| Other Engine Info | MPI DOHC |
| Plant City | Bloomington-Normal |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Illinois |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | MEDIUM |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 4A3AK34Y*VE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 4A3AK34Y0VE012656 |
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