Locomotion

I've been searching the net for an '03-'05 with a specific combo of options, mileage, price, etc. I may have come across a very good deal, but am at a loss to what the "X" means in the 9th position of the VIN. I have only seen it a couple of times but it wasn't in any trucks I was interested in. (i.e.: 3D7MA48CX4G******)
Thanks in advance.

Tmc243

Locomotion

Hope this helps. The 9th position is just a check digit doesn't have anything to do with the equipment on the vehicle.


Position Sample Value Description Possible values for an NSX sold in the United States
1 J Country J = Japan
2 H Manufacturer H = Honda
3 4 Make 4 = Passenger car, gasoline engine
4-6 NA1 Engine 1 = 3.0L (C30A)
2 = 3.2L (C32B)
7 1 Body & Transmission 1 = 2-Door Manual
2 = 2-Door Automatic
8 5 Trim Level & Restraint 2 = 1999 Zanardi Edition (Coupe with Manual Steering, Dual Airbag, Active Belt)
3 = 1997+ NSX Coupe with Power Steering, Dual Airbag, Active Belt
5 = 1991-1994 NSX Coupe with Manual Steering, Driver or Dual Airbag, Active Belt
6 = 1997+ NSX-T with Power Steering, Dual Airbag, Active Belt
8 = 1995-1996 NSX-T with Power Steering, Dual Airbag, Active Belt

9 2 Check Digit * Any number 0-9 or the letter X
10 M Model Year M = 1991
N = 1992
P = 1993
R = 1994
S = 1995
T = 1996
V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
1-9 = 2001-2009
It starts over at A in 2010
11 T Assembly Plant T = Tochigi, Japan
12-17 000001 Serial Number Sequential 6-digit serial number. Starts at 000001 each year.

What is a Check Digit and how is it calculated?
Regulations both in the United States of America and Canada require that on the 9th position of the Vehicle Identification Number a check digit is used. In North America, the check digit is considered to be the third section of the VIN. Its purpose is to provide a means for verifying the accuracy of the VIN transcription. It is calculated as specified below, using the other 16 characters of the VIN.

A numerical value is assigned to letters in the VIN. I, O and Q are not allowed so their positions are skipped. A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=5, F=6, G=7, H=8, J=1, K=2, L=3, M=4, N=5, P=7, R=9, S=2, T=3, U=4, V=5, W=6, X=7, Y=8, Z=9
A weight factor is assigned to all positions of the VIN, except of course to the 9th position (the check digit itself), as follows: 1=8, 2=7, 3=6, 4=5, 5=4, 6=3, 7=2, 8=10, 10=9, 11=8, 12=7, 13=6, 14=5, 15=4, 16=3, 17=2
The numerical values of the letters in the VIN are multiplied by their assigned weight factor.
The resulting products from step 3 are added up.
The sum of the products is divided by 11. The numerical remainder is the check digit. If the remainder is 10, the check digit is the letter X. So the 9th position of the VIN will be a number 0-9 or the letter X.
Example Check Digit calculation
VIN Digits J H 4 N A 1 1 5 * M T 0 0 1 3 6 5
Numeric Value (NV) 1 8 4 5 1 1 1 5 * 4 3 0 0 1 3 6 5
Weight Factor (WF) 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 * 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Product (NV * WF) 8 56 24 25 4 3 2 50 * 36 24 0 0 5 12 18 10

Sum of all products = 277
277 / 11 = 25 with a remainder of 2, so the check digit is 2.
The full VIN is then JH4NA1152MT001365

Digits 1-3: Manufacturer & Make
J = Japan
H = Honda Motor Co., LTD - Acura
4 = Passenger car (gasoline engine)

Digits 4-6: Model & Engine
NA1 = NSX 2 DR - 3.0L
NA2 = NSX 2 DR - 3.2L

Digit 7: Body & Transmission Type
1 = 2 DR Coupe - Manual
2 = 2 DR Coupe - Auto

Digit 8: Trim Level/Restraint System
2 = 1999 Zanardi Edition (Coupe with Manual Steering, Dual Airbag, Active Belt)
3 = 1997+ NSX Coupe with Power Steering, Dual Airbag, Active Belt
5 = 1991-1995 NSX Coupe with Manual Steering, Driver Airbag, Active Belt
6 = 1997+ NSX-T with Power Steering, Driver Airbag, Active Belt
8 = 1995-1996 NSX-T with Power Steering, Dual Airbags, Active Belt

Digit 9: Check Digit
0-9 or X

Digit 10: Model Year
M = 1991
N = 1992
P = 1993
R = 1994
S = 1995
T = 1996
V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
1 = 2001, 2 = 2002 . . . 9 = 2009
A = 2010 (the cycle repeats itself starting with A again)

They skip letters like "I", "O", and "Q" which could be confused with numeric digits. The 10th digit of the VIN number is an industry standard.

Digit 11: Assembly Plant
T = Tochigi, Japan

Digit 12-17
Five Digit Sequential Serial Number - Starts at 000001 at the beginning of every model year.



Example
VIN # JH4NA1152MT001365 translates as:
J=Japan
H=Honda Motor Co., LTD-Acura
4=Passenger Car with Gasoline Engine
NA1=NSX 2 DR - 3.0L
1=2 Door Coupe - Manual
5=NSX, Manual Steering, Driver Airbag, Active Belt
2=Check Digit
M=1991 Model Year
T=Tochigi, Japan
001365=Sequential Serial Number

Locomotion

Tmc243,

I really appreciate all the info, but I was refering to a 2004 Dodge 3500 Quad-Cab! I guess I was in such a hurry to get the info, I didn't think to be more detailed in my request.

But coincidently, my brother has often talked about the NSX. But hopefully he won't get one......for his own good!

Tmc243

The way you read a vin# is the same regardless of what type of vehicle it is. The 9th digit is a check digit on all vehicles. Digits 4-6: Model & Engine, Digit 7: Body & Transmission Type, Digit 8: Trim Level/Restraint System. If you let me know What you are looking for I try to get you the digits you'll need to look for.

chaikwa

Tmc243,

Wow, you got THAT right down to a science! I build trailers and use the same 'formula' to get my numbers. I hate coming up with them just because of the time it takes!

Good information and thanks for explaining it in such a way that everyone can understand it!

chaikwa.

Locomotion

Tmc243,

Ok, I didn't realize it was a standard method of identification regardless of brand! I pretty much know all the options on the truck in question, but rarely found an "X" as a number usually occupied that spot.

I was told by the owner that the engine was built in June of 2004, the truck was built in July of 2004 and the final 6 #'s start with 257***. It just seemed like several bits of unusual info that my limited experience with late model trucks wasn't familiar with. I figured with such a late production, the # would have been higher. I guess it was among the last 2004's to be built (2004.5).

But doesn't the 8th digit indicate the engine? I know it use to be "6" for a standard output diesel and the HO is "C", which has been the only one available lately.

Tmc243

Sorry to be so long getting back.
You are correct the 8th digit is the engine and a "6" is the standard output and the HO is a "C". You said you were looking for a 3500 quad cab. I don't know if this will help or not, if the 6th digit is a "3" it will be a SRW 3500, if the 6th digit is a "4" it will be a DRW 3500, if the 7th digit is a "3" it will be a quad cab. I may be totally wrong on this one, but, the last 6 digits are called a sequence number and I believe there are related to the plant the vehicle is built in. The 11th digit tells you the plant but I think its possable for different plants to use the same last 6 digits. Thats clear as mud , what I'm trying to say is that I think that is the 257*** truck built at that plant, (may even have to do with the way the truck is equipped also).

buford

Once upon a time I was a cop and I agree with all you stated, except the 7th digit will be an 8 if it is a quad cab.

SmokinFive9 4x4

I love to see the look on the cops face when I get pulled over, the truck started life as a 2wd 2500 318. It's now 4wd and CTD powered with a 3500 chassis. VIN code and registration throws em off a bit. Go figure.

jthorpe

Moving from the help section, this is not an emergency.

Locomotion

Oops!
I'm flying out to buy the truck Tuesday and needed to know if it was something important that I wasn't aware of!