How to decode a Nissan 240SX VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Nissan 240SX VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the unique sequence that comprises the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle and sometimes includes information about the vehicle type and manufacturing division. For the Nissan 240SX, the WMI is ‘JN1’ which designates Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., and indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Japan. This distinctive code is essential for vehicle tracking, registration, and identification purposes. By analyzing the WMI, one can immediately recognize the make of the vehicle and the country where it was produced, providing an initial layer of important information about the car’s origins.

List of WMI Codes for a Nissan 240SX

WMI: JN1

Model Years Covered: 1989-1993, 1995-1998
Example VIN: JN1HS36P0KW015975
Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Chuo-Ku
State or Province: Tokyo
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan 240SX 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 Nissan 240SX:

Known VDS for a Nissan 240SX
HS36P	HS34P	MS36P	MS34P	AS44D

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 Nissan 240SX 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 Nissan 240SX VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998 Nissan 240SX
V	1997 Nissan 240SX
T	1996 Nissan 240SX
S	1995 Nissan 240SX
P	1993 Nissan 240SX
N	1992 Nissan 240SX
M	1991 Nissan 240SX
L	1990 Nissan 240SX
K	1989 Nissan 240SX

11th Character in the Nissan 240SX VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Nissan 240SX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
W	Miyawaka	Fukuoka	Japan	Kyushu Plant	JN1HS36P0KW015975

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan 240SX

The final 6 characters in a Nissan 240SX’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a Nissan 240SX’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your Nissan 240SX is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan 240SX. The VIN is usually located on a small plaque and can be seen through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area. The VIN for your Nissan 240SX is frequently found on a label or sticker where the door latches.
Inspect the firewall of the engine compartment. Sometimes, the VIN plate can be mounted on the firewall inside the Nissan 240SX’s engine bay.
Check the vehicle’s insurance and registration documents. The VIN for your Nissan 240SX should be clearly printed on these legal papers.
Look under the hood and check the front of the engine block. The VIN can sometimes be stamped on the metal surface of the engine in your Nissan 240SX.

What info can a Nissan 240SX VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can indicate the model year of the Nissan 240SX, possibly being the year 1998, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Plant Location: The VIN can provide information about the location where the Nissan 240SX was possibly manufactured, in this case, possibly Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan.
Vehicle Type: The VIN may indicate that the Nissan 240SX is classified as a passenger car.
Body Style: The VIN can reveal the body style of the Nissan 240SX, possibly being a coupe, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Specifications: The VIN might provide information about the engine of the Nissan 240SX, including the number of cylinders, displacement, and engine model.
Fuel Type: The VIN can indicate the primary fuel type of the Nissan 240SX, which in this case might be gasoline.
Safety Features: The VIN may offer insight into the safety features included in the Nissan 240SX, possibly including the presence of front airbags.

Don’t have your Nissan 240SX’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan 240SX

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	2400.0
Displacement (CI)	146.45698582735
Displacement (L)	2.4
Doors	2
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Brake (hp) From	134
Engine Manufacturer	Nissan
Engine Model	KA24E
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Engine Stroke Cycles	4
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	240SX
Model Year	1990
Other Restraint System Info	Motorized 2 Points Automatic Belt System
Plant City	Miyawaka
Plant Company Name	Kyushu plant
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Fukuoka
Seat Belt Type	Automatic
Valve Train Design	Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JN1HS36P*LW
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JN1HS36P0LW121487