Alldata User Discussion

[Tony]

This thread is for Alldata users who need help locating something in the system, finding the information they need for the repairs.
Or for folks who are thinking about getting Alldata and have questions.

This is NOT to be used for complaining about something.


Note: Understand that we are NOT the official support for Alldata.

 

[Matthew Lockard]

Wondering if All Data subscriptions help support this site.

 

[Tony]

Yes, they do.
We make a few bucks off each subscription that is purchased using the links on our site.

 

[CHAS1]

I have Alldata for all my cars. I highly recommend it. I had a motor mount problem with my 2001 DTS. The dealer did not pick up the problem whereas a TSB showed a heat shield that would protect the front Motor Mount. I printed it out from ALLdata and gave it to the dealer. Problem solved.
Charlie

 

[bp042665]

i am a owner of a transmission and general auto repair shop and i got alldata pro i highly recommend it to every repair shop that call me for trans and auto info

 

[rmzauner]

I am taking the plunge with Alldata. Hopefully they are all you say because I'm tired of crappy 3rd party manuals and I'd like to be able to just get the info I need to do what I need to do, as well as help me make the right determination what the right things to do are.

Information is King. Online, live subscription support = good (this I know from the EDA tools world).

This is not the vehicle I was going to work on today but I have investigated factory service manuals for my 2003 Eurovan. How does Alldatacompare?

I am going to purchase a subscription for my 2000 Excursion this morning anyhow, but I understand that's a domestic vehicle - so I guess the question is if if in your experience that the materials are consistent for all makes/mfr of vehicles and not just domestic?

EDIT:

OK, I've got it but all I can find is where the part is and how much it's going to cost me, list price. Where are the repair procedures located on the Alldata site? 2000 Ford Excursion 4x4 V10.

 

[JP]

If there is green "repair information" bullet next to a component and there is no detailed repair information, does that mean there is none available or perhaps is incomplete? For example, I have a 2008 Torrent and looking up the Strut/shock tower repair information, there is only a customer service bulletin and parts information, but no repair information.

*Not a complaint* In this case replacing the struts is easy, but for someone who's never done it, it might be an issue. Just wondering if information is updated or if what you see is what you get.

 

[grcauto]

If there is green "repair information" bullet next to a component and there is no detailed repair information, does that mean there is none available or perhaps is incomplete? For example, I have a 2008 Torrent and looking up the Strut/shock tower repair information, there is only a customer service bulletin and parts information, but no repair information.

*Not a complaint* In this case replacing the struts is easy, but for someone who's never done it, it might be an issue. Just wondering if information is updated or if what you see is what you get.

I assume you are using the do it yourself for an individual vehicle. I used Alldata and MOD Mitchell in my shop (the professional subscription). They are more complete but even they have some stuff missing but they did fax or email info we asked about that was not in the regular subdcription info. I haven't tried any support for the DIY subscription. I doubt they give any. They would for the professional but that costs $2500+ a year and they want to keep those customers. Call them and see if they offer support. I had a friend who used the DIY for a few vehicles he took care of and there were many times he called me to get info that was missing in the DIY. You get what you pay for.

 

[jigfeett]

I've seen it offered on disk to but I'm not sure if it is pro or diy.

 

[NickD]

Loved Alldata, but they just don't cover any of the vehicles I work on. When I purchased my 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood, was a coupon in the owners manual for four US dollars received a full shop manual delivered to my door.

That's ancient history, now 300-400 bucks, then the attorneys got of hold of it with a zillion disclaimers, all kinds of constantly repeated information, don't smoke while working on a fuel system but says nothing about using a propane torch.

No longer full size circuit diagrams and for pinouts, over 100 pages of connectors, had to find the right one, no index to get the pinouts for making tests. Instead of one manual, up to four different ones, had to guess which manual to use.

Alldata has a search engine, quickly find what you are looking for, but will need clean hands and a laptop.


Idiots are still telling us to use an ohmmeter to troubleshoot. talk about worthless.

 

[nickb2]

Idiots are still telling us to use an ohmmeter to troubleshoot. talk about worthless.

Somehow I missed this one. Nickd, I fell in love with this tool, great for quick in and out.

But OTC wanted 345$ for the thing. Found for 53$

DLC pinout box, with scanner bypass, and led light to confirm "u" communication.

If I go threw a few of these for the rest of my carreer, I am still bonus. Oh, look at that, down to 24$/ Does it work? Why not try it. If it don't, then I save for the 400$ cad one/ https://www.aliexpress.com/item/329...VDI3ICh3lTwUcEAYYAiABEgKzQvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[nickb2]

Sorry, forgot link to expensive one


https://www.amazon.ca/OTC-3415-CAN-...ocphy=9000537&hvtargid=pla-634463344077&psc=1

 

[nickb2]

I wanted to make one myself, but at that price, why even try, I can probably reverse engineer whatever .

 

[nickb2]

Is this in any way remotely connected to all data ?, nope.

On this, I will only say one long thing. I started this trade with actual books, then it came in cd form, then in dvd form, then in internet form.

As a business, the more knowledge you have, the more you save in the long run. Identifix is my favorite, the community is large and very helpful, it mostly saves time.

And, yes, they all cost money.

If all you want to do is to fix a sunday driver, canadian tire and Haynes manual cover that for real cheap, and have better coverage on actual stuff.


I think even Haynes is now on line. In 2020, who wouldn't be?

But yeah, you do get what you pay for, and even then, not complete.

Sometimes, I peruse MOD pro, and alldata pro, still errounous, so identifix sometimes rescues. For the rest, well, learn and trust the tech.

What I mostly like about alldata pro, the wiring's. Mitchel sucks in that dept,

 

[nickb2]

Loved Alldata, but they just don't cover any of the vehicles I work on. When I purchased my 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood, was a coupon in the owners manual for four US dollars received a full shop manual delivered to my door.

That cannot be true. Alldata was founded in 1986, the stuff for your 73 caddy would have been already out of date. But I jest, it was just for fun of debate.