The Best Overall Manuals for 1998-2004 Vans

[1999montana]

Hi Folks,

Noticing that there is quite a spread of opinion regarding the best manuals (specifically 1999 in my case), I wondered if the folks who post here have a preference for the source of the manual(s)

1. Chilton,

2. Haynes or

3. GM shop manual.

Price obviously drives the selection I would think. GM probably is the most expensive; - yes - no.

I haven't researched this site enough to determine the answer myself.

If this has been discussed previously please refer me to the thread, otherwise, I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Moderator:

If this has been discussed previously please refer me to the thread (if possible) and remove this post.

Thanks.

[proteks]

If your taking on the entire maintenance of vehicle yourself, I think the overall best is GM. I wouldn't limit myself to just one manual. Haynes has it's good points, but it certainly not my first choice. (I have haynes for other vehicles)

[cdru]

Originally Posted by proteks

If your taking on the entire maintenance of vehicle yourself, I think the overall best is GM. I wouldn't limit myself to just one manual. Haynes has it's good points, but it certainly not my first choice. (I have haynes for other vehicles)

Agreed. I have both the GM shop manual (purchased off of eBay for $35 bucks) and the Haynes manual.

The Haynes manual is good for procedures in order. The pictures are real photos, so some times it's a little easier to figure out things. Also, for most DIY jobs for the average person, the Haynes manual spells out enough. The disadvantage with the Haynes manual is that many steps that are listed are more or less generic steps, they were just copied and pasted from other vehicles so they may or may not apply. Many pictures are not actually from a "complete teardown and rebuild", but rather stock photos from prior tear downs. The index isn't complete, but most things are listed and easily found. But as long as your careful, I would consider the Haynes manual the first book to purchase for a DIY.

The shop manual obviously is more detailed. It doesn't cover a range of years/vehicles like the Haynes manual does. It's specific to the year, if not the model. It has everything that the Haynes manual has, it's just organized in a easy-to-follow matter. I'm in the midst of doing a head gasket replacement. The steps to check, remove, repair, and reinstall the heads are in 4 different sections of the book. The steps to remove the heads basically say "Remove bolts. Remove head". It doesn't say anything about the 30 steps you have to do prior to removing the head.

The index in the back of the shop manuals is detailed for certain things, but impossible to find others. You need to figure out the layout of the books and then you can find things a little easier once you realize the logical layouts (engine, cooling, transmission, etc).

The area where the shop manual gets a major leg up on other manuals is the exact procedure to perform a task instead of a generic concept. Also, the wiring diagrams are very detailed. My fuel guage quit working over a year ago. After running out of gas a few times, I finally broke down and spent the $280 for a new pump/sending unit. After installing, the guage still didn't work. Using the manual, I was able to track down every connector between the sending unit and the PCM and backtrack the resistance readings. Using the connector locations/pins/diagrams, I discovered a broken wire. I could have found it just by a lot of luck and hunting around, but the shop manual made it so much easier. Also, the shop manual has very specific diagnostic flow charts for many component problems, especiall DCT and sensor failure/troubles.

I wouldn't ever consider Chiltons. I've used Chiltons a few times for other people's vehicles, borrowing a copy from the library. They were completely useless. It was like reading a generic manual written for a different car...most of the time many of the things weren't applicable.

Another resource that I've used once or twice is AutoZone's online repair manual. I would never use it as a sole source for information, but occasionally they have a different procedure that may be easier, or at least helpful.

[1999montana]

Thanks much for the replies....

[1999montana]

FYI....

Helm Incorporated has taken control of GM Service Publications:

http://www.helminc.com/helm/welcome_...N6T72SUF8R1BE6

Manuals are generally about $135 USD plus $12 shipping and taxes extra.