So I have been messing around with 2nd gens for some time now, and I have been cover to cover on all of the aftermarket service manuals; however, my friend came up with a multi-book factory service manual. I am really impressed with how detailed and informative the actual service manual is. After working in the nuclear field I have become quite fond of detailed proceedures and was curious as to how many of you have the factory service manuals?
The manual is the only thing I use!!!
As a matter of fact there is a paper service manual for sale on eBay for 20 bucks
I have the factory service manuals for 91 and 92… So much better than chiltons!
Yep! It’s the best and only way.
I keep a PDF copy of my service manual in my Google Drive so that I can access it from the garage, house, my phone when at the track…anywhere 
Chiltons and Haynes are useless compared to the Helms.
Colin, I keep multiple copies of the helms as well, and i can tell you as well that it is way better than the other two. This multi-book factory set is even better. It has detailed wiring breakouts, body seam assembly and all kinds of extra info… We are real tempted to digitize this one at some point.
I use all 3 factory manuals myself.
Do you have any of them in digital form? I have a copy I got LONG, LONG ago and it always read like a single manual with different files for each chapter. But, the electrical chapter is huge so I think it might be the whole book you speak of but I’ve never read through the full paper version to compare.
I wish I have the factory service manual but my girlfriend destroy it while playing with fireworks.
That is horribly awesome.
Colin, I should have the entire pdf of the helms and their electrical on my storage drive and my laptop. In the last couple days I have gone through nearly the entire electrical section of the acura manual paperback. It has some sweet fold out schematics in the back like I’m used to seeing in industrial electrical manuals when doing isolation proofs.
The PDF I have has 2 electrical chapters:
- Chapter 23 “Electrical” 254 pages
- Then another file named “24 - Wiring Diagrams” but the pages themselves aren’t labeled. These appear to be the fold out electrical diagrams you speak of - there are 12 pages.
Imagine how complicated those wiring diagrams must be for today’s vehicles.
Oh man, I’m sure they’re massive with so many more electronic gadgets. Some vehicles these days are even running can bus systems which I believe simplifies the wiring but for someone like your average joe would make it a lot more difficult to work on the electronic systems.
It’s all on computer, now (obviously). As complicated as all this new garbage is, much of it can’t be worked on/replaced by the average guy… not even technicians in private shops without bringing them to us, for programming. Clusters and radios that we G2IC guys change all the time can’t be replaced with generic units. They are part of the “can bus” systems… the car won’t even run properly, without them… It’s crazy (and stupid) to me. Makes me appreciate my old Teg, even more.
-edited for spelling-
There was a Chilton’s manual in my Teg, when I brought it home. I looked through it, and quickly realized… unless you plan on replacing/repairing the engine, those manuals are completely useless.
I’ve worked in or been running around a GM dealer, my whole life. My dad was a GM parts manager, before I could even see over the counter. The ONLY service manual is the factory service manual. Even my Helm’s reprint is a Godsend. I’ve repaired SO many things with it. I love it almost as much as my little Teg. :cloud9:
I’m an electrician by trade and soon to be an EE, and I have little interest in a lot of the newer systems outside of engine controls. I have started studying the Can bus in my free time in case I find automotive related work after graduation next year.
Colin: That sounds like what I have electrically as well. I will check sometime soon and compare what I have.
I have a hard copy of the factory service manual. So helpful! Though I will say that I’ve found some of the wiring diagrams to be inaccurate. The designated wire colors were not correct in a few instances I came across last year.
Yeah, I’ve seen that too. IIRC the times I saw it happen was when there was one wire color at one end and then it changed colors at the other end.
There are a few parts of the wiring that change insulation color code, but overall there are excellent schematics and flow charts. There are some things that I also found quite odd like how the non-A/C USDM cooling fan grounds power through the coolant switch and does no use a control relay. I also noticed a few ground designs were sub-optimal when going through the chassis and engine harness on this 91 db1.