Free online auto repair manuals?

Factual Questions
1

Has anyone come across this sort of resource? It could be for just a few or for many procedures. It seems like something like this must exist, but I haven’t found anything great thus far.

Specifically, I am interested in repair manuals/procedures for an older (1994) Ford Ranger, but feel free to share other relevant sites as well; they may be useful to others or to me at some point in the future.

2

I would use Google to try and find a message board dedicated to Ford Ranger enthusiasts. I bet you’ll find manuals either posted there and if not, at least links or directions on where to find them. I have two different vehicles and have access to both service manuals through the forums I’ve joined.

Also, I think sometimes public libraries have service manuals.

3

There are online instructions for various specific repair procedures. For example, you could Google on 1994 ford ranger how to (whatever) and get a site like this: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/FAQ/599. As far as actual repair manuals (something that covers most procedures on a given make/model), I don’t know of any free ones.

4

There’s a YouTube channel that covers a wide range of self-repair topics. I don’t think there are any that are make & model-specific, though.

5

Autozone’s website (www.autozone.com) has them. I think you need to do a free registration thingee to get them now. Otherwise a lot of public libraries have them through a service called EBSCO, but you’ll have call your local branch to get the password.

The manuals available from those two sources are about as good as a Haynes or Chilton’s book (in fact, I’m pretty sure it’s the exact same as one or the other), which will be very broad, especially for a truck like yours where they’ve made them for about 25 years. If you can find a factory manual posted on a message board or something that deals with your year specifically you’ll be much better off.

6

Thanks! We could have used this last month, and I’m sure we’ll need it again.

7

The manuals are copyrighted by their makers, who sell them for high prices to auto repair shops. If they appeared for free online, the owners would invoke their legal rights and have them removed posthaste.