Tech Authority Service Information CD - is it worth it?

[Alphonse]

Looking for insights on Tech Authority's Service Info CD and what is in it.

1. Do they contain electrical diagrams in them? Called them and the person answering the phone did not have a clue.

2. I am wondering if anyone can remember when they typically release the latest model year. I sent them an email asking when the 2016 version would be available - answer was they didn't know!

3. Is the CD worth messing with or should one just buy the 3 day subscription and work like crazy collecting/downloading what you think you need?

Thanks in advance for sharing you experience.

 

[DavidC]

It has been a while, 1999 to be exact. I have the printed and the CD and would not give them up. I work on all the vehicles and believe if that is what you are going to do you need a manual. That said with how complex vehicles have become some sell the electrical seperate along with some others and want a small fortune to let you have them. If what you are looking at has everything at a reasonable price (which the supplier apparently doesn't have a clue) I would definately get it. Some one has to have a description of what is included, don't give up and pester the he** out of them if that's what it takes.

Dave

 

[Wayne M.]

I have the tech authority service info disc for my '14 Durango. It seems to be selections from the dealer access web resources. It is web based HTML pages that are accessed through Internet explorer specifically.
I'm still unsure if it was worth the cost, but there is info there you won't get anywhere else like simple procedures and some explanations of systems. IIRC some diagrams but not full schematics.
Make no mistake- this is NOT a set of factory shop manuals!
It appears that those days of buying that information like you did 10 years ago is GONE!

 

[DavidC]

Well, that stinks. Mine is pdf format

Dave

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes Dave, I have a 03 disc, and that one is truly the factory book in PDF. The new deal is a whole new game.

 

[Alphonse]

Wayne M.,
Have you gone into the website with a three day subscription to see what is available via that approach? I have heard the CD is hard to use and the inference was that it wasn't useful enough.

 

[Wayne M.]

No, Alphonse I have not bought any time on tech authority. I found the disc useful a couple times- once to see how the cabin filter is serviced and to read about the different transfer cases in that model.
It's expensive but sort of essential for the DIYer

 

[Alphonse]

Thanks Wayne, I am going to buy one when it becomes available for the 2016 model but I am trying to temper my expectations! Thus far my touches on Tech Authority with my two contacts have been disappointing at best. Of course the proof is in the pudding and I am simply checking the website weekly to get my disc ordered. I am hoping the electrical drawings are on the disc.

 

[Badunit]

"Worth it" is a subjective term. The printed manuals and the PDF version of the printed manuals were much much much (+ a hundred more much's) easier to use than the new stupid Internet Explorer only format they now use. The new "CD" manuals are lacking any wiring diagrams, pinouts, etc. The rest of the information is pretty much the same as the older manuals but it is so much harder to access it and find what you are looking for. There is no index. There is no way to search though the manual. Information that would have been on one page of the older manuals is separated into multiple web-based pages. But there is no alternative to the service manual. You either have it or you have nothing.

 

[Wayne M.]

Well put- Badunit. I think they are (FCA) definetly on the wrong side of the fence of the DIYers and capable individuals.

 

[DavidC]

The key factor is "they do not want you to work on it". They want it brought to them.

Dave

 

[jhenderson]

I wonder how this plays with the Right to Repair legislation that the Feds put through years ago. The MFGs were supposed to make all info available to independent repair facilities.

 

[DavidC]

My thought: With as much as these vehicles cost the Service manuals should come with the vehicle.

Dave

 

[Wayne M.]

I wonder how this plays with the Right to Repair legislation that the Feds put through years ago. The MFGs were supposed to make all info available to independent repair facilities.

I believe this was just slugged out again in court. IIRC, GM was trying to make all of the firmware and such proprietary. They were hiding behind all the hacking thats been going on as of late. FYI, HACKING has taken on a new term. Where I come from- THIS

is what a hacker did. Now this has been extended to mean anyone who plays around with computers and it's language. This can be for good or bad. My son has decided to get involved in hacking, and will participate in a HACKATHON. I am supposed to be happy about this.

 

[w6pea]

I have the tech authority service info disc for my '14 Durango. It seems to be selections from the dealer access web resources. It is web based HTML pages that are accessed through Internet explorer specifically.
I'm still unsure if it was worth the cost, but there is info there you won't get anywhere else like simple procedures and some explanations of systems. IIRC some diagrams but not full schematics.
Make no mistake- this is NOT a set of factory shop manuals!
It appears that those days of buying that information like you did 10 years ago is GONE!

Thank you for the post.
Do you have a link to find this?

 

[w6pea]

Thank you for the post.
Do you have a link to find this?

The reason I ask the above question was that my Anti-Virus software says it's not a site to be trusted when I did the Google search for it.

 

[Wayne M.]

The reason I ask the above question was that my Anti-Virus software says it's not a site to be trusted when I did the Google search for it.

https://www.techauthority.com/en-us/

You need to register your vehicle and make a login. I also did with the Mopar owners connect. I recently got the map update offer emailed to me because I registered.

 

[w6pea]

Wayne M

When the new Toy oops Truck arrives I will do that. Thanks for posting the link.
Pat W6PEA

 

[Wayne M.]

Wayne M

When the new Toy oops Truck arrives I will do that. Thanks for posting the link.
Pat W6PEA

No problem. Enjoy!