Hello all. This is my 1st post, but I've been lurking around a few weeks getting as much info as I can on my new to me 96 Cherokee. I'm looking for suggestions for a service manual. I know a factory manual would be the best if you could find one. Has anyone used any of the CD's from ebay? I looked today and only found CD's for the grand Cherokee. I did find & make an offer on a used factory manual. What about Haynes or Chiltons?

 

I have this Haynes manual and it's served me well when I didn't have access to this forum. It covers most anything you could hope for on a stock Jeep.

 

I bought one, but it's been about a year ago. The info is all there, but it's a bit hard to navigate. All in all, a good bargain for what I paid.

 

If you can find a factory service manual I strongly suggest getting one. My Haynes leaves a LOT of specific information out and some info it just doesn't touch on. However, the Haynes doesn't assume you're a trained dealer mechanic and is decent on procedures. I've used it a lot for basic stuff but I would not have been able to rebuild my transfer case without my FSM.

 

I bought a cd from eBay. Works well. A factory service manual will be better then a chiltons or Haynes manual.

 

I bought mine from Pacific Coast Manual. Its a pdf download version of the factory manual and I used it to replace the head on my 2000. I think it was around $10.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again--the Hayne's manual I got for my Jeep was the biggest waste of $20 I've ever spent on it. It's sitting on top of my fridge collecting dust. I mostly just use the forums to find the information I need anyhow. Factory Service Manual is the way to go. eBay usually has them for even cheaper than a Hayne's (last time I checked)

 

Thanks for the replys everyone. Well I lucked out and the ebay seller accepted my offer a used factory manual for the 1996 Cherokee. Will be glad when it gets here, cause the jeep won't start. I hope it has good wiring diagrams and troubleshooting guide.

 

Enough wiring diagrams to make your head spin...

 

Too bad I only read your post just now, because here you go:

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/vbindex.php

Your own pre 97 FSM in PDF.
Go to right side of page and scroll down a little.

 

nice. downloaded all five of them..

 

Here also....http://www.jeep4x4center.com/knowledge-base/index.htm

 

The FSM will be the ne plus ultra of wiring diagrams - if you want better, you'll have to draw them yourself.

As far as the "No Start" - a few questions:
"No Crank"
"Crank, No Start"
"Start, No Run"

All three can be considered "No Start" issues, but have different causes & symptoms.

Once we know which problem you have, we can help you by telling you where to start looking...

As far as aftermarket manuals? Chilton's is acceptable. Haynes (for domestics in general) I've gotten the most use out of by propping up the odd leg on my workbench with it. Haynes used to be good for imports - for domestics, not so much.

 

I just downloaded one for a 2004. 600+ pages for $7.99

 

I found a FSM for the '97-01 XJ on ebay awhile ago for $7 and some change. I would prefer an actual book ,(must be a generational thing) but a 1,900 page PDF that I can carry around on my phone isn't too shabby I guess.