Hi.  I just bought a used Ford and plan on getting the service manual for it.  When I got to the back of the owner's manual, it lists no fewer than 6 pubs for this vehicle ('90 Taurus wagon):   - Taurus Shop Manual        - Car/Truck Engine Emission Diagnosis   - Car Service Specs, FWD    - Taurus Do-it-Yourself Manual   - Taurus Elec & Vacuum      - Taurus Wiring Diagram     Troubleshooting Manual I've never dealt w/ Ford manuals before, so I'm not sure exactly what's in all of these.  I figure the Shop Manual and the Elec/Vacuum Troubleshooting Guide would be all I'd need, but will the shop manual duplicate the troubleshooting guide?  Would I be missing anything important if I just get these?  I do most of the work on my vehicles, but no major engine overhauls etc. Thanks for any advice.

 - Taurus Shop Manual        - Car/Truck Engine Emission Diagnosis  - Car Service Specs, FWD    - Taurus Do-it-Yourself Manual  - Taurus Elec & Vacuum      - Taurus Wiring Diagram    Troubleshooting Manual I've never dealt w/ Ford manuals before, so I'm not sure exactly what's in all of these.  I figure the Shop Manual and the Elec/Vacuum Troubleshooting Guide would be all I'd need, but will the shop manual duplicate the troubleshooting guide?  Would I be missing anything important if I just get these?  I do most of the work on my vehicles, but no major engine overhauls etc. I might add the wiring diagrams. It will sure make a flaky electric window problem easier to troubleshoot. It could also make connecting optional equipment like a better stereo easier since it shows the wire color codes and connector layouts. George Bonser This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it There are three kinds of jobs: Good, Cheap, Fast ... pick any two.

 - Taurus Shop Manual        - Car/Truck Engine Emission Diagnosis  - Car Service Specs, FWD    - Taurus Do-it-Yourself Manual  - Taurus Elec & Vacuum      - Taurus Wiring Diagram    Troubleshooting Manual I've never dealt w/ Ford manuals before, so I'm not sure exactly what's in all of these.  I figure the Shop Manual and the Elec/Vacuum Troubleshooting Guide would be all I'd need, but will the shop manual duplicate the troubleshooting guide?  Would I be missing anything important if I just get these?  I do most of the work on my vehicles, but no major engine overhauls etc. First off, high five to you for ordering the factory shop manuals.  I have done this with every car I've bought since 1979.  I recommend it highly to anyone who plans to do any of their own work on their car.  And the current vintage of shop manuals (at least from Ford) are really nice in that they have a lot of pictures as well as text and illustrations. Your list, the Shop Manual and Elec and Vacuum Troubleshooting guide, are both absolute requirements.  You don't need the wiring diagrams.  The Elec and Vacuum Troubleshooting guide has the diagrams in it, in a much easier to read format.  You might also consider the Engine Emission Diagnosis manual, though this one is expensive.  It contains all of the operational de_script_ion and troubleshooting trees for the engine electronic and computer control systems.  Even things like exhaust gas recirc.  This is where the Why does my car idle poorly questions get answered.  (The Shop Manual is engine, chassis, tranny, etc., hardware.) The do-it-yourself manual and specs are not needed.

     - Taurus Shop Manual        - Car/Truck Engine Emission Diagnosis    - Car Service Specs, FWD    - Taurus Do-it-Yourself Manual    - Taurus Elec & Vacuum      - Taurus Wiring Diagram      Troubleshooting Manual   I've never dealt w/ Ford manuals before, so I'm not sure exactly what's   in all of these.  I figure the Shop Manual and the Elec/Vacuum   Troubleshooting Guide would be all I'd need, but will the shop manual   duplicate the troubleshooting guide?  Would I be missing anything   important if I just get these?  I do most of the work on my vehicles,   but no major engine overhauls etc.   I might add the wiring diagrams. It will sure make a flaky electric   window problem easier to troubleshoot. It could also make connecting   optional equipment like a better stereo easier since it shows the wire   color codes and connector layouts. You only get engine computer trouble codes in the Emission book.

   - Taurus Shop Manual        - Car/Truck Engine Emission Diagnosis    - Car Service Specs, FWD    - Taurus Do-it-Yourself Manual    - Taurus Elec & Vacuum      - Taurus Wiring Diagram      Troubleshooting Manual   I've never dealt w/ Ford manuals before, so I'm not sure exactly what's   in all of these.  I figure the Shop Manual and the Elec/Vacuum   Troubleshooting Guide would be all I'd need, but will the shop manual   duplicate the troubleshooting guide?  Would I be missing anything   important if I just get these?  I do most of the work on my vehicles,   but no major engine overhauls etc.   I might add the wiring diagrams. It will sure make a flaky electric   window problem easier to troubleshoot. It could also make connecting   optional equipment like a better stereo easier since it shows the wire   color codes and connector layouts. You only get engine computer trouble codes in the Emission book. Say what ? I've been putting together our new Emmisions manual together in what ever spare time have, been at it now for about 3 weeks. ( one of the guy's at the dealer figured only one binder was needed so he kept one for himself, you should have seen the  look on my face when I had one binder full, then turned around and saw onother hudge pile of paper left . There is about 10 inches of paper that goes in 2 binders and there is a bit more than trouble codes. Very good book for the money ( $185.00 cdn ) It covers all gas and deisel engines for that year. Along with Georges suggestion (wireing diagrams) I would reccomend the shop manual. The others I have never seen so cannot give advice on them.

: Hi.  I just bought a used Ford and plan on getting the service manual : for it.  When I got to the back of the owner's manual, it lists no fewer : than 6 pubs for this vehicle ('90 Taurus wagon): Well, we have 2 Ford vehicles (Taurus wagon and F-Series truck) and I bought the complete sets for both.  I have to say that I have used them all, including the DIY book (probably the least), wiring diagrams (I really like them) and the spec book (turns out lots of independant shops really don't know squat about the nitty gritty details of your rig).  It costs well over $100, but isn't your car worth it???  Mine have saved me much more than that in the long haul! Wes Fujii   KC7MFT        |   Car computers aren't so smart- Mine This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   |   keeps telling me that my door is a Boise, Idaho              |   jar, but I know it's really a door...