First - the VIN/Chassis number will not always be a 17 digit US style VIN - many of the export market Suzuki VINs start, like yours does, with the model designation and then follow it with a simple sequence number - I have two older Suzukis here, both export models both with VIN/Chassis numbers that are less than 17 digits, and the parts database recognizes the numbers.

I put your chassis number into both the export & JDM databases, and neither system recognized it - I did manage to get the export system to "sort" of recognize it by adding a factory prefix, but, not to the point where I could be definitive about it.

As I mentioned in another thread, it's a little unusual to have alpha characters where yours has the PH, and since I believe the Philippines have a somewhat unusual process of vehicle "conversions", I can't help but wonder, if that number was not restamped in the process - which was why I asked you to check the frame to see if that had a different number.

 

yes, it really looks, as if the "PH" was added later on the silver plate showing the chassis number, type and engine number. Since I am not in the Philippines right now, I asked a friend to look for the real frame number and submit it to me. But probably it will take some days, before I´ll get the results. I will let you know as soon as possible!

T O M

 

WOW! Rhinoman was giving the essential hint at another thread:

Based on the ECU number, which is a very unique part in the car, he found that my model belong to the version SE416-4.

Thanks to Rhinoman and a very helpful hint for anybody who might be in the same situation!

Everybody can use the catalogs from: suzuki-cat.ru

to fordem: it looks as if my Vitara is a "SE416-4, E43", made for Saudi Arabia... Many Filipinos are working in Saudi Arabia and if they return to the Philippines, they have the right to import an even used car legally to the Philippines (which is usually not possible because of import taxes up to 100% based on the original price of a new car...)

I will check with other parts of my car, if this "guess" will be verified.

 

Hi fordem,

the chassis number at the frame is also: TD01V-PH0031xx

The car is named at the trunk as "Vitara JLX"

The car is equipped with an ECU 71EQ0. According to Àâòîçàï÷àñòè äëÿ Suzuki (Åâðîïà). Êàòàëîã çàï÷àñòåé Suzuki. this leads to the model E43, which has been made for Saudi-Arabia.

Many Filipinos are working there, so this could be a hint to the origin of the car.

Suzuki Philippines doesn´t find any documentation of the car...

Is this information helpful to trace the version of my Vitara?

 

Hi fordem,

thx for your hints so far! I asked a friend to read out the frame number... and it is the same as mentioned on the silver plate: TD01V-PH0031xx

Following a hint from "Rhinoman" I found that my ECU "33920 - 71EQ0" obviously was made for a E43 Vitara (means made for Saudi-Arabia), based on the information given on Àâòîçàï÷àñòè äëÿ Suzuki (Åâðîïà). Êàòàëîã çàï÷àñòåé Suzuki.

Is this information helpful to get further information on my model?

Does anybody else have a hint; how to determine the model version of my Vitara?

Since Suzuki Philippines is just answering: "We cannot find any documentation of your car.", I urgently need some help to know which version is my Vitara to get the right spare parts...

Best regards,