Shop Manual Recommendations.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Body/Chassis/Electrical
Engine Shop Manual
Engine/Emissions Diagnosis
Electrical Diagrams
EVTM
I use the Haynes/Chilton things mostly for quickly looking up specs, e.g. lug nut torque. They also have some pretty decent ignition & fuel system diagnostics as I recall.
Yes, be paranoid of the Haynes/Chilton things, my Taurus SHO would never start/run correctly if I hooked up the spark plug wires the way they say to.
To be fair, the factory manuals have their share of mistakes, too, and are not perfect by any means but they're the best you can get and are complete & thorough as all getout..
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Though, I do have to admit, there is no substitution for being able to fold out the electrical diagrams in the back of the shop manuals...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
I've been using electronic manuals for 10 years or so. I also have some hard copy, but actually don't use them much.
When I'm getting ready to do some work I'm not familiar with I print the relevant sections and take them with me to the vehicle. If they aren't too messed up when I'm done with the work I put them in a 3 ring binder. Eventually I'll have a complete hard copy
The other thing that is handy is when traveling I can copy the pdf's to my smart phone and have them with me. Don't have to take a stack of hard copy manuals.
When I'm getting ready to do some work I'm not familiar with I print the relevant sections and take them with me to the vehicle. If they aren't too messed up when I'm done with the work I put them in a 3 ring binder. Eventually I'll have a complete hard copy
The other thing that is handy is when traveling I can copy the pdf's to my smart phone and have them with me. Don't have to take a stack of hard copy manuals.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Marlborough, CT
Agree with this 100%. I use my tablet daily for accessing electrical and parts diagrams. It wouldn't be practical for me to carry service manuals for every one of the dozens of various types of machinery I service (each hard copy being 5 inches thick and weighing upwards of 10 lbs) but if I know ahead of time that I'm off to diagnose electrical gremlins on something I'll throw the hard copy in the van before leaving the house in the morning. ~Bill
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I have a copy of the master parts catalog on this iPad mini, but it is so slow that it isn't usable. Given that I've not considered getting other manuals in electronic format. So, might it be the way I'm accessing the catalog? What app do you guys use? I'm using Documents To Go.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,827
Likes: 103
From: Martinsburg, WV
I have a computer in the garage with a 26" tv as a monitor, on the server in my office I have alldata and access to FMCDealer as well. Works well with a wiring diagram blown up to 26". Also various manuals stored in pdf as well. Plus side is I can also stream anything on my server to the shop pc.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Yeah, I knew about needing Acrobat if using Adobe products, but thought there might be a workaround with another product. For instance, I use Open Office to handle word documents, spreadsheets, and Power Point presentation instead of Microsoft's Office. So I thought there might be a freebie like that which would do PDF's like Acrobat.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,827
Likes: 103
From: Martinsburg, WV
you might try this or one of the recommended apps up on the right...
http://sourceforge.net/projects/openpdf/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/openpdf/
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
+1 for the factory shop manual, Rock Auto has them on
CD ROM for just under $20.
More Information for BISHKO 12043
CD ROM for just under $20.
More Information for BISHKO 12043
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Yeah, I knew about needing Acrobat if using Adobe products, but thought there might be a workaround with another product. For instance, I use Open Office to handle word documents, spreadsheets, and Power Point presentation instead of Microsoft's Office. So I thought there might be a freebie like that which would do PDF's like Acrobat.