We just bought a 2002 Grand Caravan Sport, 3.3L. Now I'd like to get a shop manual for it. The Haynes manuals have been fine in the past, but with this vehicle, something is odd.

Haynes has one manual that covers model years 1996 - 2002 (cover image shows a third-gen van). They have another that covers 2003 - 2006.

This seems inconsistent...third gen minivans were 1996 - 2000; fourth gen were 2001 - 2007(?). Why would the manuals break at 2003, right in the middle of the run?

Perhaps I'm just missing some information. Which manual should I get for my minivan? Are third and fourth generation Chrysler vans close enough mechanically that either manual will work for my 2002 model?

Thanks for any help.

-Victor Bruhn

 

Try getting a real manual--either Alldata or eautorepair (consumer version of Mitchell On Demand). The Haynes manual doesn't even come close to the information these services provide. Full electrical diagrams, technical service bulletins, component locations, etc. You can buy a 1-week subscription to eautorepair and download what you need, or buy a full year for $24.95. Alldata is a little more, but they offer a five year subscription for (I think) $39.95. If you're serious about doing your own repairs, get a serious shop manual.

 

Thank you for the advice. I know Haynes is B-rate, and is lacking when there's serious troubleshooting to be done. I like having a hardcopy manual, though, for simple jobs (brakes and other maintenance items, trim, whatever).

This isn't a matter of being serious about doing my own repairs. I've used Alldata, and it's great info. If/when the time comes that I need the info, I pay the $$$ and get it, usually the one year subscription. But I find it to be a bit of overkill to have to log into the site online just to get a torque value for a caliper bolt, for instance, or to get order of disassembly info to access and replace a sensor.

 

I agree with both but in most cases it is easier to haver a manual such as the Haynes. I know that not everything is covered in those manuals but I have not been finding everything either on alldata.

For those questions left, is that not why we have this forum???

 

You can get a paper factory service manual from Tech Authority. They are pricey but you will end up saving the cost on repairs. I like paper too. E-bay sometimes has them used cheaper, but...

 

I know the concern, They have done someting similar and questionable for the Jeep Wrangler as well. I have both Haynes Manuals for my 2002 GC Sport 3.3L and feel the 1996 thru 2002 is not as good as the 2003 thru 2006 for the 2002.