Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

This very important number is stamped on the rear wall of the engine compartment and on the plate fixed to the instrument panel under the windshield on the driver's side of the vehicle. The VIN is also recorded in the vehicle title and registration documents.

The number encodes information about the date and place of manufacture, the model year, and the body type. In addition, the VIN is shown on the certification label located on the lower part of the driver's door pillar.

Engine Code and Model Year
The two main components of the VIN are the engine code and the model year code.

The engine code is the sixth character of the number, counting from left to right. The model year code is located in the first position of the VIN after the asterisk in its central part. The following correspondences apply:

Engine code:
5 = F23A1
6 = F23A4
7 = F23A5
8 = J30A1

Model year code:
W = 1998
X = 1999

The engine code is normally specified when ordering powertrain parts. Separately from the VIN, the code is also located as part of the powertrain number on the right (passenger) side of the powertrain, near the exhaust manifold on 4-cylinder models, or under the starter on V6 models. The engine code consists of the first five digits of the number and is decoded as follows:

On 4-cylinder models, the engine code is located near the exhaust manifold.

On V6 models, the engine code is stamped on a plate attached to the front left corner of the cylinder head


F23A1 = 4-cylinder 16-valve SOHC engine, 2.3 L displacement, equipped with VTEC
F23A4 = 4-cylinder 16-valve SOHC engine, 2.3 L displacement, equipped with VTEC
F23A5 = 4-cylinder 16-valve SOHC engine, 2.3 L displacement
J23A1 = 6-cylinder V-6 24-valve SOHC engine, 3 L displacement

Transmission Number

This number is normally required when ordering parts for the transmission line repair. On models equipped with a manual transmission, the transmission number is stamped on the clutch housing, next to the starter. On models with an automatic transmission (AT), the number is located on the right front of the transmission case, near the dipstick.