Is your car or truck in need of constant repairs? Or do you
perhaps just enjoy tinkering with your vehicle?
Is your car or truck in need of constant repairs? Or do you perhaps just enjoy tinkering with your vehicle?
In addition to more than 300 books and videos the Santa Clara County Library system owns on the topic, patrons can also access a subscription database purchased by the library called “Alldata Online.” This extensive computer database provides automotive repair and diagnostic information for most models and makes of cars and trucks 1982 and later.
Alldata Online is a wonderfully user-friendly database. The only information needed to get started is the car year, make, model, and engine type. Once that information is entered, you are led to a plethora of choices for your specific car, including popular options such as: maintenance, diagnostic trouble codes, technical service bulletins (TSBs), specifications and schematic diagrams (which can be printed on 8.5 x 11” paper and taken out of the library)
Here are two example searches for Alldata Online:
Q: How can I find a wiring diagram for the starter of my 1996 Ford Ranger?
A: After selecting the appropriate vehicle from the startup menu, click on “Starting and Charging.” Select “Starting Systems.” On the left side of the screen, there is a shortcut to “Electrical Diagrams.”
Q: How do I check if my car has had any recalls?
A: From the shortcut menu on the left side of the screen, click on “Technical Service Bulletins.” On the next screen, click on “Recalls.” A list of recalls will be displayed. The data can also be searched by keywords, and the system is updated four times per year _ in February, May, August and November.
Alldata Online is not just for recreational mechanics. The extensive database also has a “Technician’s Reference” section, containing information to help repair and maintenance technicians, such as: glossary; emissions quick reference guide; timing belt replacement intervals; and conversion formulas and tables
Visit the Morgan Hill Library and ask one of the reference librarians to get you started with Alldata Online, available on the “catalog” computers, for which there is never a wait. This particular database is for use within the library only.
This week’s column was written by Shawn Wistrom, an extra-help reference librarian intern with Santa Clara County Library system. She is completing her library science degree at San Jose State University this spring. Questions and suggested topics for At the Library, which appears in Tuesday editions, should be directed to Nancy Howe, community librarian, at nh***@**********************ca.us or by calling 779-3196. The Morgan Hill Library, located at the corner of Peak and West Main avenues next to City Hall, is open every day but Sunday.
