Online Car Repair Guides, Which do you use?

[Big Wave D]

Hope this question is getting posted in the correct Forum Subsection. If not, please move to where it should be.

My question is about using one of those online Do It Yourself websites. These are a few examples: ALLDATAdiy.com Leading Source of Factory Automotive Repair Information - DIY Auto Repair | Do It Yourself Auto Repair | Chilton DIY - www.eautorepair.net (Mitchell1) - Haynes is the information resource for the DIY enthusiast (There online manuals) - Used Auto Parts - Car Parts - Truck Parts - Body Parts - Engines - Wheels - Bumpers - Lights (I think this is one also)

The above are some that I know about. They range from $12 - $30 dollars. That can be for a month or whole year.

I used the alldatadiy.com once. It was great for find where the grounds where that were causing my problems, but I didn't think it did very well for helping with other repairs and not the best for pictures or diagrams. It has been a couple of years ago, so they may have improved on this.

Do any of you use them and if so, which one?

Thanks for the feedback and advice.

 

[LD1]

Hope this question is getting posted in the correct Forum Subsection. If not, please move to where it should be.

My question is about using one of those online Do It Yourself websites. These are a few examples: ALLDATAdiy.com Leading Source of Factory Automotive Repair Information - DIY Auto Repair | Do It Yourself Auto Repair | Chilton DIY - www.eautorepair.net (Mitchell1) - Haynes is the information resource for the DIY enthusiast (There online manuals) - Used Auto Parts - Car Parts - Truck Parts - Body Parts - Engines - Wheels - Bumpers - Lights (I think this is one also)

The above are some that I know about. They range from $12 - $30 dollars. That can be for a month or whole year.

I used the alldatadiy.com once. It was great for find where the grounds where that were causing my problems, but I didn't think it did very well for helping with other repairs and not the best for pictures or diagrams. It has been a couple of years ago, so they may have improved on this.

Do any of you use them and if so, which one?

Thanks for the feedback and advice.

About the only time I need a manual is for wiring schematics. And for that, Alldatadiy is what I use.

Most other things I can figure out how to do. And if I need specs or tolerances for something, like clearence specs or torque specs, usually a google search can turn up something for free. But I have never had any lick googling for wiring diagrams.

Not sure about the haynes online program, but I have a couple haynes books for some older cars (mid-late 1990's) and they also seem to have some pretty good wiring diagrams.

 

[Big Wave D]

LD1,

I agree about the wiring diagrams. I thought that they did those quite well.

I did think they were lacking on guides for diagnosis and steps to follow when having to replace hard parts.

Thanks for the input.

 

[bbrown4804]

I use the computer based Alldata Repair and I really like it. Really is indispencible for working on or troubleshooting vehicles.

 

[Big Wave D]

Okay, that's 2 for AllData.

I'm sensing a trend... :laughing:

 

[Big Wave D]

Anyone else?

I guess that not many of you seem to utilize these types of services.

Is that because you all buy manuals for your given cars, trucks, and machinery?

 

[Oaktree]

I guess that not many of you seem to utilize these types of services.

Is that because you all buy manuals for your given cars, trucks, and machinery?

Maybe I'm just old school, but for me it's easier to have the manual in front of me while I'm working instead of having to go back & forth to a computer (which is in the house). If I have a specific issue, I'll Google it, but for general repairs, tracing wiring, etc. it's just easier to have a manual on hand. I neither have nor particularly want a smartphone, tablet, or similar gadget.

 

[Egon]

Most repairs are well beyond my diagnostic abilities or mechanical abilities and tool resource. Sooo the local shop does my work.

If I was doing the work myself and referencing say an Ipad fraid it would become pretty greasy.

Guess one could print out the screens applicable though!

 

[bbrown4804]

That's exactly why I like All Data so much. I print off the pages I need and can get them as greasy and dirty as I want and when they wear out, I print off another. Just can't do that in a regular manual.

 

[Big Wave D]

I have to second what bbrown4804 said.

I print off what I am working on, then if they get totally filthy, I can just pitch them and print fresh.

I also tend to print off a few pages that I know I will look at more than once and save them in a folder. That way if subscription expires, I have important fact sheets to look back on.

Anyone ever use the Mitchell1 website?

 

[mostly_gas]

For car repair I just Google the symptoms, and follow several thread. I do keep Hayes or Chilton reference book for my cars, and with the additional on-line discussion is adequate for me.

 

[Big Wave D]

mostly_gas,

I've done that a lot myself, but many times there are holes in using that process, at least that is what I find.

It can take a long time to find a hit off of Google that really addresses or comes close to the problem that you are experiencing. Plus, many times I find that the 'steps' the person outlines are rather grossly glossed over.

I do find this type of web research useful for diagnosing, but not overly helpful for providing step by step directions for fixing the problem.

I am mechanically minded, but there are just times that the old adage of "knowledge is power" is so totally true. Yes, I will eventually fix the problem, but it will likely take much longer and I might spend more time and money than I need; because, I messed something up or broke something that was okay because I didn't know that there was some hidden fastener and snapped off that plastic catch because I was to use a small screwdriver to release it before removal.