I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with alldata.com and their online manuals for Volvo. I understand they are widely used by pro mechanics, but I was wondering if the "home" versions are useful.

Thanks, Dane Klaproth
'85 740 GLE. 37500 miles

I have the basic AllData progam for my vehicles. I use it occasionally, but prefer the Bentley followed by this program. I have occcasionally used All-Experts.com as a reference, but the time delay can be frustrating at times.
I will not renew the AllData program when it expires.

We used to used Alldata in the cd format where I worked. It was helpful for a good number of the more esoteric things that we would have otherwise had to call around for- we had a good relationship with the local Volvo service dept and they'd sometimes be able to answer those "where the heck is that relay" questions. Alldata is good but, as stated, not infallible- sometimes written by someone locked in a cubicle somewhere. The code diagnostics are good, the electrical diagrams were mostly excellent, and the procedures were usually correct. We did occasionally find variances in torque specs and things like that- always go with the reference in the manual if there's a discrepancy.

I think the best thing for it would be to subscribe, print all you can, and let it lapse. Their focus is too broad for them to be perfect, although they do a good job considering the scope of their database.
===
Rob Bareiss, New London CT : 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 88 744GLE

Thank you for your input. I have subscribed and will probably only use it for one year.
Dane Klaproth

I've got an online account for the 700 that I may or may not renew after trying it all out. Some extra help, but you have to be careful. For instance, the electrical diagrams can be viewed in well-separated chunks that are easier to use when working on particular subsystems. What's the problem? Go over to the electrical components location diagram, and there's something wrong. Parts of it are correct, parts appear to be from a 240 series, still other bits from some other car entirely, and a lot of the same sort of use as Windows help files. For instance:

Fuel Pump Relay: In Front Of Battery- Huh? Not on any Volvo I know. Wrong.
Headlamp Relay: LH Inner Fender Well- Wrong
Delayed Courtesy Lamp Relay: Passenger Compartment Above Steering Column- Wrong
Parking Brake Switch: On Parking Brake Lever- Always a safe guess!

Major potential timewaster. Nothing like digging out the all the contents of the dashboard looking for that nonexistent courtesy lamp relay only to find you could have popped the dome light off the ceiling and found it there, heh-heh.

On the other hand, there are complete connector diagrams for most of the major connectors. Those are correct because they're scans of Volvo documentation, unlike the components location speculative science fiction novel.

Come to think of it I think I'll just print off the good stuff and let the subscription lapse. Another year and I may as well have bought the originals.

Thank you for your input. I have subscribed and will probably only use it for one year.
Dane Klaproth

I have not used the on-line services but if it is like the CD rom's I have bought (the online site looks like it offers the same resources as the CD) then it wuld be worth the nominal charge to get access. In my opinion, it does provide you with the basic reference to do adjustments/repairs and such. The All Data material is a good supplement to the haynes and chiltons manuals that I have since Alldata has some better diagrams sometimes. The TSB service is very useful since the info is direct from Volvo and not readily availible to most regular joes. Just my 2 bits.

Tim

I have the AllData/Popular Mechanics CD set that came out a couple of years ago for my 1990 740 and I have subscribed to the AllData online for my V70.

With this year of the 7xx series, I have only limited option for technical manuals, but I have been reasonably happy. (Please someone tell me that I am mistaken about the lack of manuals!) For my V70, however, the online AllData was horrible. The overall detail was woefully inadequate to do any indepth diagnosis or repair. The labyrinthine menu system was much worse online than in the cd (my biggest complaint for the cd set).

But, I have to put in a plug for AllData. I emailed to complain and cancel my order and within eight hours, I got a personal email from the customer service manager (rather that a automated or semiautomated form) saying that my Visa card was credited and they were sorry to loose me as a customer. I was so floored by this, I almost felt like signing up again!