How to decode a 1997 Saturn SC2 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Saturn SC2 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or numeral code assigned to automotive manufacturers to distinguish their brand, country of origin, and vehicle type. Specifically, for the 1997 Saturn SC2, the WMI code “1G8” signifies that General Motors LLC in the United States manufactured this passenger car. The production took place in Warren, Michigan, highlighting the vehicle’s American roots. This code is embedded in the vehicle’s Identification Number (VIN), providing a standardized identification system globally. Understanding the WMI is essential for identifying specific vehicle attributes directly from the VIN.
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Saturn SC2
WMI: 1G8
- Model Years Covered: 1991-2002
- Example VIN: 1G8ZG1270VZ178863
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Saturn SC2 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 Saturn SC2:
| Known VDS for a 1997 Saturn SC2 | |
|---|---|
| ZG127 | ZH127 |
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 Saturn SC2 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 Saturn SC2 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 |
11th Character in the 1997 Saturn SC2 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 Saturn SC2 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z | Spring Hill | Tennessee | United States | Spring Hill Manufacturing | 1G8ZG1270VZ178863 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Saturn SC2
The final 6 characters in a 1997 Saturn SC2’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Saturn SC2’s VIN below:
How to find a 1997 Saturn SC2’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1997 Saturn SC2 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1997 Saturn SC2. The VIN can commonly be seen through the windshield on a metal or plastic plate attached to the dashboard.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door pillar (door jamb). A VIN sticker is usually located here, where the door latches when closed on your Saturn SC2.
- Check the front of the engine block. The VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself, which requires opening the hood of your 1997 SC2 to view.
- Examine the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. Sometimes the VIN can be found above the tire, but this may require you to crouch or use a flashlight to see it clearly on the Saturn SC2.
- Look at the trunk area where the spare tire is stored. On some vehicles, including older models like the SC2, the VIN could be located in the spare tire well or the compartment area.
What info can a 1997 Saturn SC2 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Specifications: It seems that the vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car, specifically identified as a Saturn SC2. This vehicle features a coupe body class and manual seat belts, possibly emphasizing the range of design and utility details available.
- Engine Details: The VIN specifies that the engine is made by SAT, has an in-line configuration, 4 cylinders, and possibly employs Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) for fuel delivery, which might highlight the mechanical complexity and efficiency of the vehicle.
- Displacement: It appears that the engine’s displacement is indicated in three measurements: 1900.0 CC, 115.945 CI, and 1.9 L, showcasing the VIN’s capability to cater to diverse engineering and measurement preferences.
- Safety Features: As per the VIN, the vehicle includes front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, possibly providing insight into the car’s safety features.
- Plant Information: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States, by Spring Hill Manufacturing, possibly pointing to the geographical and operational origins of the vehicle.
- Fuel System: The VIN suggests the presence of Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) as the fuel delivery system, indicating a specific fuel management technology used, possibly reflecting on the vehicle’s performance characteristics and fuel efficiency.
Don’t have your 1997 Saturn SC2’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Saturn SC2
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 1900.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 115.94511377999 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.9 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | SAT |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Model | SC2 |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| Other Engine Info | Name Plate: Saturn |
| Plant City | Spring Hill |
| Plant Company Name | Spring Hill Manufacturing |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Tennessee |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G8ZH127*VZ |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G8ZH1270VZ103254 |
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