Free 1997 Pontiac Grand AM VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that is assigned to every vehicle around the globe and provides detailed information about the car’s manufacturer and origin. Specifically, for the 1997 Pontiac Grand-Am, the WMI is “1G2”, indicating that General Motors LLC, located in Warren, Michigan, United States, is the manufacturer. This designation is critical as it not only reveals that the vehicle is a passenger car produced by a major American automaker but also pinpoints its production locality. The inclusion of the WMI in the vehicle’s VIN ensures that each car is uniquely identifiable, facilitating easier registration, recall, and repair processes. Hence, the WMI serves as a foundational element in understanding a vehicle’s background and manufacturer.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM

WMI: 1G2

• Model Years Covered: 1985-1986, 1988-2005
• Example VIN: 1G2NW52T7VC853725
• 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 Pontiac Grand AM 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 Pontiac Grand AM:

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 Pontiac Grand AM 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 Pontiac Grand AM VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Pontiac Grand AM Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: It can possibly indicate that the vehicle is a Passenger Car, with a specific body class designation like a Sedan/Saloon, giving some insights into the vehicle’s design and usage.
• Engine Details: The VIN may include key engine information, such as the engine manufacturer LAN, a displacement of 2.4 L (2400 CC or 146.45 CI), configuration as In-Line, and being a 4-cylinder engine, offering a somewhat detailed look into the vehicle’s power source.
• Fuel and Injection Type: It can indicate the fuel system used, possibly being Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), giving a vague idea about the efficiency and complexity of the fuel delivery system.
• Safety Features: Safety features, including the possible presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, are sometimes noted, vaguely highlighting the vehicle’s safety measures.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN could provide manufacturing details, possibly showcasing the plant city (Lansing - South Plant), plant country (United States), and the plant state (Michigan), vaguely illustrating where the vehicle was assembled.
• Model and Series: Specific model and series information, such as the Grand AM GT, can be possibly inferred, allowing one to vaguely understand the vehicle’s market position and features offered.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM

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