What repair manual do you prefer?

[5-90]

i personally like haynes better. much more detail in what u need to do

Really? I'm thinking of saturating mine with polyester resin and making a utility plate out of it... Probably be the most useful it's ever been to me (and it gives me an excuse to fix that odd leg on the workbench anyhow...)

 

[lawsoncl]

You didn't say which year, but I will agree with those who mentioned the older Jeep Renix-era FSMs are pretty thin. Later years, the FSM is about the size of a thick phonebook and pretty detailed. I have a 95 FSM that I got for my YJ that I refer to quite often for both my 89 MJ and 93 ZJ as many things didn't change. For example the FSM was perfect for rebuilding the AX15 tranny since it was relatively unchanged. Search eBay. Plus what you can't find in an FSM you can probably find here somewhere.

 

[5-90]

You didn't say which year, but I will agree with those who mentioned the older Jeep Renix-era FSMs are pretty thin. Later years, the FSM is about the size of a thick phonebook and pretty detailed. I have a 95 FSM that I got for my YJ that I refer to quite often for both my 89 MJ and 93 ZJ as many things didn't change. For example the FSM was perfect for rebuilding the AX15 tranny since it was relatively unchanged. Search eBay. Plus what you can't find in an FSM you can probably find here somewhere.

The only reason a RENIX-era FSM seems thin is because it comes in volumes - one for mechanical, one for electrical, and some very thin "supplements" (ABS, some transmissions, &c.)

The RENIX-era ChryCo-printed FSM is equivalent to the later FSMs, it just covers multiple models (since many systems are shared) and it's just as detailed.

The AMC-printed FSMs are a bit thicker, organised differently, and take a bit more to understand. They're also loose leaves (vice bound,) and about five inches thick - I have a couple.

The Chilton's is a nice beginner's manual, and I really do miss the old Clymer's manuals. You can usually find Motor or Mitchell manuals in the Reference section of your local library, and they sometimes have Chilton's for checking out.

And, if you can't find the FSM for your specific year, there are "brackets" I've noted that can help things for you...

1984-1986 XJ and 1986 MJ
1987-1988 XJ and MJ
1991-1995 XJ and 1991-1992 MJ
1996 XJ (this was a transition year)
1997-1999 XJ
2000-2001 XJ

Work within those brackets, and it should be simpler for you. They're broken down to major electrical changes and revisions (RENIX was 1987-1990, OBD-I from 1991-1995, OBD-II from 1996-up. 1996 was the first year of OBD-II and the last year of the "old" body style, which is why it's listed as a "transition" year. 1984-1986 are "pre-RENIX.") There were some small electrical changes between 1988/1989 coincident with ChryCo taking over production - mostly changes to wiring colours (the information in the manuals will cross, but you have to trace wires out manually to convert colours about half the time.)

The reason for the 1999/2000 break was the introduction of the Coil On Plug (COP) ignition setup - it was actually introduced in 1999 on the WJ and TJ.

HTH. YMMV. TANSTAAFL.

 

[1985xjlaredo]

There you go 5-90 Has spoke no more need to ask question you won't find a better awnser!

 

[Saudade]

I have a Haynes and the ChryCo FSM. I bought the Haynes first and found it useful for some pretty straightforward stuff (brakes, fuel, and even some wiring diagrams are OK).

My FSM is over 1300 pages long (PDF file).

 

[TiRod]

I have all three. The FSM can be repetitive and contains a lot more data than you sometimes need, if you can find it. The version for the '90 contains the entire Jeep lineup, and not all of it is the same even tho that component is shared.

Haynes and Chilton can be quicker, like a Cliffnotes, if they have it right, if they have it, or if it can be found. Again, too much data, not enough index. Really aggravating to finally locate a specific teardown only to discover the pictures are obviously out of sequence. I've considered hole punching both copies and sorting them together by subject in the same loose leaf binder, or tearing down the FSM and dumping the other 4 models info. I really don't need wiring diagrams for the Grand, CJ, and Comanche.

I understand Haynes and Chilton are now owned by the same people. I suspect more commonality of layout (and errors) will come about as the manual market consolidates even more.

 

[5-90]

There you go 5-90 Has spoke no more need to ask question you won't find a better awnser!

I wouldn't go that far. I mean, I don't know everything, and I'm still dealing with scrambled brains (I'm noticing I'm wrong a bit more often now - and I don't like it anymore than anyone else...)

Fortunately, I seem to still be right a lot more often than I'm wrong. So, I can't be too scrambled...

 

[jtkratzer]

Anyone have any idea where to find a FSM for the 96 XJ? I can't find one anywhere...

Well, I found two on ebay, but I'm looking for a regular online store to get one from.

 

[ehall]

My experience has been that all of them are useful at different times. Sometimes you'll find three different drawings that cumulatively provide a usable visualization, whereas none of them are sufficient by themselves. Also the FSMs are written for a professional audience, so sometimes it's nice to have the fifth-grade reading level.

If you are going to do serious work you'll need the FSM at some point.