I searched and didn't find any methods of accessing it. Our vin (under the windshield) is rusted so you can't verify it. There is a VIN tag in the passenger door though. Is there a way to access the VIN tag with some wire brushes or something without removing the windshield?

Thanks

 

I think you could get limited access by removing the dash pad.

 

Man, I almost think it would be easier to remove and replace the windshield.

 

You may have misunderstood. He meant just the top dash pad, not the entire dash assembly. The dash pad is held in with 4 screws near the windshield defrost vents and about 8 or so under the front lip... a lot easier to remove than the windshield! I still don't know how much access that would give you though.

 

I would consider taking a piece of sheet metal, put some sand paper on one side and something soft like thin Felt tape on the other (so not to scratch windshield).
Remove dash pad as suggested above. and try to sand the surface to make the VIN readable...

A 1" or narrower putty knife MIGHT work but it might be stiff. And I think it would be too short to get in there and maneuver well... I think something along the lines of 1' or so long might do the trick.

You need something reasonably stiff but not so stiff it does not flex.

John

 

I think it will be VERY hard (if not impossible) to do without removing the windshield.

 

what about the title to the car the vin is on that...

 

The problem is sometimes the VIN on the title is wrong... What then?

John

 

The VINs match, at least they appear too. The rust is HORRIBLE. It can wait until I replace the windshield I guess, this isn't affecting registration or anything.

 

If the VIN tag is rusty, chances are the windshield is or was leaking. There is probably a lot of rust in the window channel and cowl.

 

Not necessarily from the windshield only, I have seen where the interior of the car gets humid for one reason or another, IE from the Hatch leaking or the T-tops leaking Or someone left the tops off during a storm and they never aired out the car well enough and the VIN tag rusted...

Keep in mind that tag is technically inside the cabin.

John

 

All automakers put the vin labels in hidden locations on cars. I just found another one behind the front bumper on the piece of metal in front the of the Radiator support. You can also look under trunk area around your spare tire. The white tag is about 1/2" wide by 4" long.

 

Those VIN Panel Labels actually started in 1987 and possibly went thru 1991, I am not sure if they used them in 1992 or not, as Firehawk #26 IIRC did not have them... I may be mistaken.



Did you find one in a place other than above?

John

 

Take off the fender.

Or you could take the plastic guard off of the wheel well and see if you can get a peek at it.

 

removing the fender??? That wouldn't help you access the VIN tag at all! it's on the cowl under the windshield.

 

He means to access one of the stickers. There is a vin sticker on the fender behind the plastic wheel well. I found one when I yanked the smashed fender off my car. Also might be one on the underside of the rear bumper, on the plastic, and should be one on each door, and might be one on the underside of the hood, but don't quote me on that one.

 

Reference my drawing above for the location of the 9 VIN decal locations... Technically there is a 10th decal location that is on the drivers door but it is on the larger decal.

The Rear ones are easily seen by looking behind the panels. The ones on the front fenders can usually be seen by looking through the holes in the front fenders where the horn is. If you do not see the decal through the inner fender you can usually drop the lower trim piece and look up into the fender. Kind of how you would replace the bulbs on the front corner light.

I know on Formulas it is a matter of simply removing 8 screws to access it, not sure about Camaros.

Keep in mind on the LH (drivers) side there is a vacuum canister ball and the horns so you may need a mirror to look in there to verify. Removing the inner fender panel is a doable job, but I find it a PITA.

John

 

I verified the VIN on the passenger door sticker with the title, that's not the issue. I was just looking to clean the unreadable VIN plate under the windshield. I know the rear hatch allows for moisture on this car, so over time, that's probably how it got rusted so bad.

 

Ahhh. Its all clear as mud now. If you can't get a little wire brush in there, maybe a VERY small amount of your favourite rust removing chemical and a rag? That's a pretty tight place to get into, I don't think my fat fingers could get in there. I think you might be stuck until you pull the windshield.