LaserDad91
15+ Year Contributor
- 491
- 7
- Apr 30, 2004
-
Huntsville,
Ohio
HELLO!! I did a search and did not see anything specific on this topic. Seems there are a lot of questions on here that could be answered if a person just bought a shop manual for their car and studied it. This is one of the first things I do when I purchase any vehicle.
My first recommendation would be go to an Auto parts store and get a Chiltons, Haynes or whatever is available to get you started. These are good basic shop manuals. I say basic because they will not cover ALL the systems in your car. (ie, my Haynes had nothing on cruise control, except System operation is too complicated for the scope of this manual or something like that. From what I see here, most of us can understand about anything, IF we had the information.
Nothing beats the Factory version. These contain everything about your car, all systems from nose to tail. These also include a section on body, interior, exterior, etc. Need to mount a factory spoiler? Buy a shop manual and look at the pics!! (I know, I will be doing this in the near future, just not thrilled about drilling holes!!). These manuals will explain in detail, system operation, troubleshooting, repair, disassembly, part specs, etc. I recently used mine to trouble shoot and repair my cruise control, and I did not need to purchase any parts or special tools. Only tool required was a VOM and some jumper wires. No, not much on performance mods, but all the basics are there!
Where to buy?? Best place I have seen is EBay. There are always some on there, books and CD versions. I bought a two CD set for all DSM up to 1995 or 1996, which I believe is 1G only? I have a 91 Laser, so I dont recall the latest year my version covers. One CD can run the manual as a stand alone. The other CD allows you to install it on your puter. Cost? Less than $15 for both, including shipping!!!! Best investment you will make, I guarantee it!
Another source is your local library believe it or not! When I was 16, I bought a 1970 Cuda and my mother went to the library and found a shop manual, due to some problems we were having with the car. I would have never guessed you could get one there. (this was in 76, before most of you were born
. It really help me a lot!
So, good luck, and happy studying!!!
My first recommendation would be go to an Auto parts store and get a Chiltons, Haynes or whatever is available to get you started. These are good basic shop manuals. I say basic because they will not cover ALL the systems in your car. (ie, my Haynes had nothing on cruise control, except System operation is too complicated for the scope of this manual or something like that. From what I see here, most of us can understand about anything, IF we had the information.
Nothing beats the Factory version. These contain everything about your car, all systems from nose to tail. These also include a section on body, interior, exterior, etc. Need to mount a factory spoiler? Buy a shop manual and look at the pics!! (I know, I will be doing this in the near future, just not thrilled about drilling holes!!). These manuals will explain in detail, system operation, troubleshooting, repair, disassembly, part specs, etc. I recently used mine to trouble shoot and repair my cruise control, and I did not need to purchase any parts or special tools. Only tool required was a VOM and some jumper wires. No, not much on performance mods, but all the basics are there!
Where to buy?? Best place I have seen is EBay. There are always some on there, books and CD versions. I bought a two CD set for all DSM up to 1995 or 1996, which I believe is 1G only? I have a 91 Laser, so I dont recall the latest year my version covers. One CD can run the manual as a stand alone. The other CD allows you to install it on your puter. Cost? Less than $15 for both, including shipping!!!! Best investment you will make, I guarantee it!
Another source is your local library believe it or not! When I was 16, I bought a 1970 Cuda and my mother went to the library and found a shop manual, due to some problems we were having with the car. I would have never guessed you could get one there. (this was in 76, before most of you were born
. It really help me a lot! So, good luck, and happy studying!!!
