I have a 1996 Cherokee and wanted to get a Haynes manual for it. I looked on Amazon and found a Haynes manual for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokees. I saw that it was available used for cheap, so I jumped on it.

Well I just got the manual, and it was published in 1989, and on the cover it says "1984 thru 1989, All Models, Cherokee, Wagoneer, Comanche, Owners Workshop Manual."

How relevant is this manual to my 1996? Were there any significant changes from 1989 to 1996 that would make this manual unsuitable? Should I try to find the latest version instead?

 

Do yourself a favor and get one from PacificCoastManuals.com. They are full service manuals and only cost s few bucks. They have for each year individually.

 

You might as well wipe your hiney with a Haynes manual. They have decent info but as far as troubleshooting they are pretty much worthless.

 

Yes, there were changes that will render that Haynes manual even more useless than it would be if it were the correct year. For one thing, '96 was the first official year of OBDII.

But no, you should not try to find the latest version, because the correct year will suck also. Haynes manuals are written generically to cover a range of versions of the vehicles, and they almost always lack the specific information you need to do the job. I have one, and it's even worse than worthless because it causes more confusion than if I just attack the Jeep with wrenches to find out what's going on.

Get a factory service manual for your year. If you want a hard copy, you can often find them on eBay. They ain't cheap, but personally I like having the grease-stained hard copy open on the valve cover while I'm working. Sometimes you can find the FSM bundled with the diagnostic manuals and parts list all in a set.

If you don't want to pay for the hard copy, get a scan from Pacific Coast as Jooman suggested. I have one in addition to the hard copy, and it's fine. It's cheap, and you can just print out the parts you need if you don't want to take a laptop or tablet with you to the garage.

 

Great information here. I hadn't heard of this company, thanks. Hear's a link.
http://www.pacificcoastmanuals.com/j...e_manuals.html

 

Concerning Pacific Coast Manuals and the 1996 FSM: The Pacific Coast 1996 FSM IS NOT a 1996 XJ FSM, it is a 1997 FSM. I bought the '96 FSM from them thinking I'd like to have one for reference.

When I opened the socalled '96 FSM I thought it looked familiar so I checked it against the bits and pieces of a '97 FSM I had - it was the same. That's how I knew they sold me a '97 FSM. The Pacific Coast FSM is nice, so at least I have a full version of a '97 FSM.

I emailed Pacific Coast (twice) trying to get the issue reesloved but they never responded.

You may be better off trying to get a '96 FSM off Ebay. Or buy one from the MOPAR supplier for around $80.

 

Thanks everyone, I just initiated a return for the Haynes manual. It was only 7 bucks, but hey, that's 2 1/2 gallons of gas lol.

 

If you know how to use the torrent system, your manual is in this collection. Free is better than $.

http://kickass.so/car-repair-manuals-t5788638.html

 

I torrented it and the manual for my Renix was in the list and it is the appropriate manual.

 

I used Pacific Coast for my "99" and its the proper one I believe.

 

Well I contacted the seller and they gave me a full refund, but told me I could keep the manual. I guess I'll keep it around, maybe there will be some helpful stuff in there. Eventually I'll get a full service manual, but I'm not ready to spend $80 on that just yet.

 

Thanks for the torrent link. Downloaded the copy for my 97.

 

The Haynes manuals like to use the word "typical" in reference to something. OK for changing oil in the back yard.....maybe !
A waste of money that could be used to buy beer.....