PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => Pinto FAQ => Topic started by: Poison Pinto on June 19, 2004, 11:53:42 PM
-
Using information gained from this site and the mustangii.org site, I have written a BASIC program to decode 1971-80 Ford/Mercury VINs. The program also deciphers the paint codes. I will update it to include some other codes as I have time.
It includes the codes for Pintos, Bobcats, Mustang IIs, Mavericks, and some other Fords.
It's not pretty...it's your basic BASIC text program. No flashy graphic interface.
It's not perfect...it generally doesn't discern between real VINs and fabricated VINs. But if you have an actual VIN for a Ford vehicle from 1971 - 1980, it'll tell you what came off the assembly line.
I also need to find the body codes for Mercury Comets as well as some other Ford vehicles so I can implement those into the program.
Currently, I have version 1.0 online at:
www.geocities. com/mopac_fan/poison_pinto/vin.bas
Any corrections, modifications, suggestions, et ceteras are appreciated. Either leave a message in this thread or email me at:
poison_pinto@fordpinto.com
-
I am currently updating the program.
Version 1.1 will include the following additions:
Revised entry prompts;
Trim codes for Pintos, Bobcats, and Mustang IIs;
Axle codes;
Transmission codes.
-
The update is now on my website:
www.geocities. com/mopac_fan/poison_pinto/vin.bas
You may need QBASIC to run the program. If you need it, run a search for QBASIC or QBASIC2000. Geocities won't let me upload an ".exe" extension to my site or I'd have it there for you.
The program does VIN codes for Pintos, Bobcats (both U.S.A. and Canadian models), Mustang IIs, and Mavericks as well as some other 1970s Fords (Galaxie 500s, Thunderbirds, Rancheros, etc.) It also does transmission, rear end, and interior codes.
So, if you want to know what your car's setup is (or if you want to know what it came off the assembly line with), get the various codes off the driver's-side door jam and enter them into the program.
As always, if there's a question or correction, let me know at:
poison_pinto@fordpinto.com
-
If you want, I should be able to upload it as an exe on my site.
fomogo@charter.net
If you want, send it and I will see what I can do.
Jim
-
Version 1.2 (6/21/04) is now online.
Corrected problem with getting Mustang II interior descriptions for other vehicles when legitimate transmission code was entered.
-
Ok I have d/l qbasic from m$ how do I import the code into the program? Can I just save it with file ex .bas or do I need to do something else? I tried to copy, new file and paste but it won't let me do that. Clue me in please.
-
Save both qbasic. exe and vin.bas in your C:\ directory (not in a folder)
Start qbasic.exe and click on File -> Open.
Type either "vin.bas" or "*.bas" (don't use the quotations) in the File Name box (*.bas will show all files with the .bas extension to choose from)
Select vin.bas (if you used the *.bas option)
Click on Run -> Start in the qbasic menu.
-
Well therein lies the problem. I can't "save as" and get .bas as a file extension option! Any other ideas?
-
You shouldn't have to "save as." When you download the program from my site, just left click on the link, click the "Save" button to save it directly to your computer. A window will open that lets you choose which folder to put it in, choose to save it in the C:\ directory.
You most likely don't have your computer set up to recognize the .bas extension. To add .bas to recognized file types, go to Start -> Control Panel -> Folder Options -> File Types. Click on the "New" button and then the "Advanced" button. You can enter "BAS" in the File Extension box and "BAS File" in the "Associated File Type" box. Then where it says "Opens With," click on "Change" and "Select Program from List." Select QBASIC.exe. Finish by clicking the "Apply" button.
-
Hey Joel, I have a little "kung fu" (X-files reference) after all. I put in the info from the 76 I looked at today. It worked and gave me what I thought was valid info. One suggestion...c hanging the code to accept lower case letters would be an improvement but as it is it's SWEET!
-
Glad you got it working.
Allowing lower case is simple enough. I'll do so.
(It means you'll have to download the program again to get that functionality, however).
-
I just tried to download the file, and it comes as a text file. I can't save it to use it in basic... Am I doing something wrong?
-
You most likely don't have your computer set up to recognize the .bas extension. To add .bas to recognized file types, go to Start -> Control Panel -> Folder Options -> File Types. Click on the "New" button and then the "Advanced" button. You can enter "BAS" in the File Extension box and "BAS File" in the "Associated File Type" box. Then where it says "Opens With," click on "Change" and "Select Program from List." Select QBASIC.exe. Finish by clicking the "Apply" button.
-
I had already tried that once, and it still was in text format, but I'll try it again to see. I do have the .bas extension, so I know that's ok, but I'll try again.
-
You're left clicking on the link.
Right click.
Right.
That would be like...the accelerator pedal on your mouse.
-
Found out what I was doing wrong.. I was saving the file the right way, but not knowing how to use basic, I failed to notice where the screen said to press F5 to begin the program.
Once I did that all worked ok.
Thanx for the help