Where to find repair information
I volunteer on a lot of car forums. Everyday I see posts from people looking for free wiring diagrams or free shop manuals. Sorry guys, they don’t exist. Even when I see someone answer the poster’s question with a link, the diagram is usually the wrong one Face it, there’s no such thing as a free shop manual. You’ll find some free diagrams on my site. But that’s only because I’ve taken the time to redraw them to avoid copyright infringement.
The truth is that car makers have made a conscious choice that selling repair information is just as profitable as making cars. Today, a genuine factory repair manual can easily cost almost $300. Then there’s the whole issue of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). A TSB isn’t a recall. In the industry, repairs covered in a TSB are known as “pattern failures.” It’s basically a defective design that affects a large enough number of cars that the car maker has written a special procedure on how to diagnose and fix the problem.
Having a current list of TSBs can save you a LOT of money and time. When a model of car develops a pattern failure that occurs often enough to generate a TSB, you can be sure that hundreds of people have already thrown thousands of dollars trying to diagnose and fix the problem. For example, Ford Windstar vans are known for lighting the Check Engine light for a “lean” code. If you didn’t have the TSB to know that they are having a problem with intake manifold gaskets, you could spend a fortune replacing the oxygen sensors, spark plugs, and other ignition parts.
Another example of this is the Ford Expedition. The V-8 engine on this vehicle can develop a misfire and set off the check engine light. The usual first step in diagnosing a misfire is to examine the spark plugs or the spark plug wires. In this case it turns out that the ignition coil are failing at a high rate. If your technician doesn’t refer to the TSB’s they will replace the plugs, wires, and coil. But what caused the coil to fail? It turns out that a heater hose connection directly above the coil is prone to leaking. That’s what shorted out the coil in the first place. If you replace those ignition parts without fixing the heater hose leak, you’ll be doing this repair all over again.
It’s gotten to the point where no professional technician will even begin to diagnose a problem with out first consulting the current TSB’s. The key word here is “professional” technician. If you’re not a do it yourselfer and you want advice about getting your car fixed, make sure you explicitly tell the shop to check the current TSBs before you authorize them to begin any diagnosis.
Where can you find a list of TSB’s for your vehicle? Well, you can go to your dealer and ask if you can browse their collection. Just don’t expect a joyous reception for that idea. Nope, the sad truth is that you’re going to have to pay. Aside from going to the manufacturer’s web site and paying a small fortune for limited information, the best place to look is either Alldata or Mitchell on Demand.
Both sites have advantages and disadvantages.
Alldatadiy advantages:
Alldata provides diagrams on how to remove interior trim panels. So if you need to remove a heater control, door panel, or speedometer, etc. Choose Alldata. Eautorepair has NO body or trim information.
Alldata seems to have more up-to-date TSBs, and they’re broken down better by subject area.
Disadvantages of Alldata
Alldata posts the manufacturer’s wiring diagrams. Unless you really know your electrical symbols, they’re very hard to read. They don’t tell you where the parts are located. So you have to refer to another section in Alldata to discover that. Very poor design in my opinion.
The least expensive subscription is $26.95. That’s for a year and they offer a discount for a second vehicle of a different brand. But if you’re looking for the cheapest source, Alldata isn’t it.
Eautorepair.net advantages
All of their electrical diagrams are redrawn using a standard format. The diagrams all start at the top with the power source (fuses) and flow down to the component and ground wires. Each component on the diagram tells you where it’s located in the vehicle. All the wiring diagrams are available either under WIRING DIAGRAMS, or under a hotlink for each system. So they’re easier to find than in Alldata.
Eautorepair.net does a better job of describing what components are in each system and how the system works. Just click on Description and Operation and read up on the project before you dive in.
Easutorepair.net is cheaper is you just need quick information. You can buy a 1-week subscription for $11.99. Then just print out the information you need.
Eautorepair.net disadvantages
Eautorepair has NO (none, nadda) body information. Need to remove a door panel or dashboard trim? You’re out of luck with Eautorepair.net.
Their TSB files are not as up-to-date as Alldata.
For more information on this repair or any others for your vehicle, buy an online subscription to either Alldatadiy.com or eautorepair.net. Click on this link to compare the two services: Compare Alldata and Eautorepair. If you just need information for a single repair and want to save money, eautorepair offers a lower price 1-week subscription for only $11.99. Or, if you’ll be working on this vehicle in the future, you can buy a 1-year subscription (Alldatadiy.com for $26.99, or eautorepair.net $29.99)
© 2007 Rick Muscoplat
Alldatadiy.com
eautorepair.net
Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.
Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem
Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I’ve written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems
If you’ve had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES
Here are some quick links to speed up your research
Click on the link below for speedy navigation:
ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes
Alternator issues or how to test
Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues
Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues
Car Alarms or Antitheft systems
Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use
Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder
Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test
Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive
I would strongly disagree with the thoroughness of AlldataDIY's information, and the inclusion of professional shop time. Why do I care how long a pro takes to do the job? That info isn't relevant to the DIY'er and since it specs two different times, one warranty and another for regular, it's obvious alldata has simply copied the dealer info given to their service writers and given their site some useless filler to make purchasers of their service feel as if their content is substantial when in reality it's generic, minimal, and what little is there is poorly laid out
For instance I just went there to find an instructional- step by step, an exploded diagram, anything at all to R&R a drivers door power window regulator.(95 Isuzu Rodeo) NOTHING but the text listing of the shop time and the part #! Useless.
At least many of the print manuals will actually contain instructions to do a job.
The only place you’ll find better information is from a factory manual. Most of the manufacturers let you buy subscriptions to their manuals, but be prepared to pay big bucks for the privilege–like $10 for 24 hours. Not bad if you want to do one repair. But if you need it for several repairs per year, Alldata and Eautorepair are better buys.
As for the time estimates, you can ignore the warranty times. Those times are based on a new car with no rusted fasteners and the work performed by a dealer technician. The shops use the retail times. And, contrary to what you think, they are VERY important to know, even if you plan to do the job yourself. If the book says 1 hour and it’s taking you 4, you’re doing something wrong.
As for the layout, I personally like the Eauto repair layout better. But once you get used to Alldata, it does make sense.
If you’re comparing Alldata and Eautorepair to Haynes or Chilton, there’s simply no comparison. I’d take those electronic sources any day of the week.