North American 2007 Sprinter Service Manual

[jdcaples]

Some of you may remember that I ordered a service manual for my Sprinter. That order was placed over the web in April of 2007.

In Sept - within days of being told my Sprinter had arrived at Portland Freightliner - I received a post card from DaimlerChrysler which indicated that the Service Manual is still "back-ordered."

It went on to say that I could call and cancel the order or continue to wait for a transition from "back-ordered" to available/shipping.

I elected to wait. I elected to not call.

Sometime between April and July of 2007, Techauthority.com removed the 2007 Sprinter Service Manual from the web application that accepts orders for manuals. Techauthority still had a record of my order, so I figured they took the unavailable product off the menu until it becomes available.

Fast forward to October 23rd, 2007: For no other reason than I was thinking about it and had a moment during business hours, I called Techauthority and inquired after my April 2007 Service Manual order.

I spoke with an operator who indicated my order had been canceled w/o a notation in the electronic record indicating a reason for the cancellation.

She quickly indicated there were about 40 in stock and she took my order - generating a new customer ID, to avoid confusion with the canceled order - and the software system she uses accepted the order.

The next day, I called again to confirm the order and was told it would ship "Thursday." My checking account indicates they charged my debit card $145.11 on October 25th, 2007.

The Service Manual content continues to be available over the web for a fee at techauthority.com, but the content not complete. What's missing? I think transmission tear down procedures may have had blank pages, I can't remember for sure. What's innaccurate? It recommended MB 229.5 oil for the DPF equipped NCV3. Further, the online content also contains pictures of 5 cylinder, 2.7 L diesel engines. There is no "lower oil pan" in that content, but there is one on my Sprinter and in the 2007 parts catalog.

Given the missing and inaccurate content on the techauthority.com website, I realize that an incomplete or inaccurate manual may arrive at my office in 7-10 business days.

I think it's important to push these corporate buttons or broken processes and defective manuals will not get fixed.

I don't really want to wait and hope the dealerships will eventually slay this dragon for me.

I want a chance to add my voice to the frey.

Then again, perhaps I'll receive a complete and accurate product. Stranger things have been known to happen.

I'll post a review of the Service Manual - to this thread - if it arrives.

If you want to a Service Manual here is what you need:


Phone number: US Toll Free: 800 890 4038

Item number: 813 700 7070 CD

Cost: $145.11 USD

I think the original order was around $200.00.

However, I recommend you watch this thread and save your cash for now; unless - as I - you're spoiling for a fight. :).

-Jon

[Homemade Bob]

I didn't see a thread for 08 pricing so I apologize for throwing this subject in here.........but :thinking::thinking:

I'm sitting here doing the math on the price increases on the US Sprinters 08's vs. 07's and trying to get a handle on what my real world tab is going to be when my 3500 High arrives next month. According to the info that I have perused, the base 3500 is going from $38,530 (including destination charge) for '07 to $41,795 for the same '08 unit. :cry::cry:

Does anyone have a handle on the options pricing?? :idunno::idunno:

I'm getting a little short of breath looking at the updated bottom line even assuming that the options will be the same price for '08 as they were for '07. I've got about a month to get my heart rate back to normal. Thanks in advance for any info......and for putting this request in it's proper place. :bow:

Homemade Bob

[OrioN]

The increase in base price is 8.5%.
The increase in options is same 8.5%.

Consider yourself lucky, the US dollar has dropped far more than 8.5% this year, and far more next year...

[jdcaples]

I received the OEM Service Manual yesterday, 06 November, 2007.

There is about 135 megabytes of information organized in a standard web application format.


Briefly

This manual's more complete than the information on Techauthority.com; meaning I haven't found any blank pages.

I would like to compare this to VW.


VW's manuals "install" - as both software and data - on your computer. For a number of months, the VW manual buyer is entitled to download updates to the VW service manual content and TSBs.

The Sprinter Service manual is static information and a mechanism to update the content with corrections is not obvious to me; it may not exist.

Worse: there isn't even an obvious revision number on the product so it'd be impossible to tell if you're holding an "old, outdated copy" or the newest release available.

Bottom line: It's a good reference, but they could have done a lot better.

Any questions?

-Jon

[lildevildee]

I received mine yesterday as well. Can you believe they charged $15 for shipping and handling?!!! Oh well; at least I have the copy now.

[jdcaples]

I received mine yesterday as well. Can you believe they charged $15 for shipping and handling?!!! Oh well; at least I have the copy now.

lildevildee,

That's good news. I was concerned the inventory'd be exhausted before you placed your order.


For those who that want to know, my invoice says:

<the CD> $ 120.00
Shipping and handling: $ 13.25
Tax: $ 11.86 (Washington State)

Total: $ 145.11


-Jon

[Llarry]

I can't remember what I paid for s&h back in '03 when I got mine, but I'm reminded of 60 Minutes' Andy Rooney "Sure, I'll pay for shipping, but handling? I don't want 'em handling my stuff anyway -- just send it to me."


For those who that want to know, my invoice says:
<the CD> $ 120.00
Shipping and handling: $ 13.25

[jdmaley2]

You can get an '07 service manual directly from Chrysler Publications in CD format for $120 plus shipping (mine came to $133 shipped to OR) Number to call is 1-800-890-4038. They said it would ship in 7 - 10 days.
Joe Maley

[jdcaples]

You can get an '07 service manual directly from Chrysler Publications in CD format for $120 plus shipping (mine came to $133 shipped to OR) Number to call is 1-800-890-4038. They said it would ship in 7 - 10 days.
Joe Maley

You're bragging because Oregon has no state sales tax?

:)

Ok, seriously, Joe (and welcome to the forum, btw) what do you think of the Service Manual?

-Jon

[kendall69]

FYI I got mine and it did not work on a MAC, wish they would have told me. They sent a call tag and picked it up.
You would think they would put the manual on PDF.

[jdcaples]

FYI I got mine and it did not work on a MAC, wish they would have told me. They sent a call tag and picked it up.
You would think they would put the manual on PDF.

:(

Confirmed: The product requires Active-X, a Microsoft proprietary technology, available exclusively (as far as I know) for Internet Explorer on the Microsoft OS family.

This is important, too: If you only have Vista or only have IE 7 available to you, you may not be able to use this CD.

The only hint of requirements that I could find is a disclaimer on techauthority.com

"The 2007 Service Manual CD’s with new XML & SVG Wiring Diagrams are not compatible with Internet Explorer 7.0 or the new Windows Operating System "VISTA". A new revised edition CD that is compatible with I.E. 7.0 and Vista will be available soon."


Chrysler LLC, or its manual-distribution partner "The Resolve Corporation," should really publish system requirements so people (and web applications) that take service manual orders can inform buyers of minimum system requirements.

I'd conclude that today's - perhaps not even tomorrow's - dealership standard equipment is a built-in design assumption for the product.

I wonder if dealerships will get free updates as the product evolves, or if they'll find out the CD (used at the dealership today) doesn't work in new computers after they buy computers with Vista installed.

Or maybe most of the dealerships use TechConnect and the CD is just a reluctant favor to the dinosaur dealerships.



-Jon

[mattl]

Isn't this just a hard copy of the website? Maybe you can make friends with a dealer tech and get their password. Works for GM!:thumbup:

[jdcaples]

Isn't this just a hard copy of the website? Maybe you can make friends with a dealer tech and get their password. Works for GM!:thumbup:


The CD content is different from the website's content.

The CD content is more complete than the website content was the last time I checked.

The CD Service Manual also contains at least one different typographical error: Among the correct oil specs, the service manual also recommends diesel engine oil that complies with the MB 288.51 specification.


-Jon

[jdmaley2]

I just rec'd the service manual today and spent several hours looking thru it. So far I'm not impressed. Some of the questions that I need answers to don't seem to be there. And, there doesn't seem to be any way to do a search for a particular term - inexcusable in this day and age.

Some questions I couldn't find answers for:
Does anyone know which of the three antenna leads is GPS, and what the frequency is? My new Panasonic requires1,575.42 MHz and since the connectors are different, it will take a little surgery to make them mate up.

Joe Maley

[buga37]

Can some one post service manual pliz

[kmessinger]

I have some part schematics on my website. I'll be adding everday. They aren't real good and it is not a service manual but it is better than nothing.

The link to the specific page is http://www.ourexcellentadventures.com/sprinter-resources/2008-sprinter-component-names/

Regards,

Keith

PS. Thought I posted this but it must be deja vu all over again.

[Datajockeys]

Dare I hope for an 08 manual of some sort soon? Or is here any diference?

[cedarsanctum]

I just called, again, today. There is still no part number for the 08 Service Manual. They cannot order it, or even take an order for it, or call when one becomes available.:rant:
Best bet, order the 07, and hope it works on your computer. There is no hardcopy version available, and i was told it would cost $340 if there was.
I'll try to report any success with the 07 CD, when it arrives.
Jef

[autostaretx]

jdcaples wrote: Worse: there isn't even an obvious revision number on the product

Actually, there is... i'm pretty sure that "07070CD" is a date code (2007 July).

My 2004 manual is 81-370-04070CD

(which leads me to suspect that 81-370-08070CD just might maybe yield a 2008 manual)

good luck
--dick

[jdcaples]

Nice Sleuthing, Dick.

After perusing a few of the 13,441 XML files, I did find some evidence of rudimentary revision control:

releasenbr="1"
update="original"


So I stand corrected. Clearly, this revision control system will scale to the foreseeble lifespan of the document.

Somone get Marc Rochkind (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_Code_Control_System)glass of water. He's coughing like he's got a hair ball or something.

-Jon

[JimLill]

Anyone know of a source of a Parts List CD?

[jdcaples]

I haven't found a parts list on CD or DVD for Sprinters. Nearly all publically available info for Sprinters is sold thorough http://www.techauthority.com. If it's not there, it's probably not available to us non-dealership employees.


If you read some of the information on http://starparts.chrysler.com/starpartsweb/HomeAction.do you'll have an idea of how tough it is to get to a parts list for Sprinters.

Now, some dodge dealerships have contracted with third party website providers like www.trademotion.com.

Berry Auto in Texas uses Trademotion services.

If you start at http:///www.sprinterparts.net you'll be redirected to a trademotion webserver with a dodge parts catalog that you can browse for free w/o registering. The actual URL for Berry's "trademotion" storefront is: http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=213693


-Jon

[shanemac]

I been tempted to order a service manual but prefer PDF format so for that reason I'm holding off thinking maybe down the road there will be a newer version...not holding my breath seeing it has taken this long to produce a service manual for the 07 never mind the 08 or 09:rolleyes:

[BBlessing]

I haven't found a parts list on CD or DVD for Sprinters. Nearly all publically available info for Sprinters is sold thorough http://www.techauthority.com. If it's not there, it's probably not available to us non-dealership employees.


If you read some of the information on http://starparts.chrysler.com/starpartsweb/HomeAction.do you'll have an idea of how tough it is to get to a parts list for Sprinters.

Now, some dodge dealerships have contracted with third party website providers like www.trademotion.com.

Berry Auto in Texas uses Trademotion services.

If you start at http:///www.sprinterparts.net you'll be redirected to a trademotion webserver with a dodge parts catalog that you can browse for free w/o registering. The actual URL for Berry's "trademotion" storefront is: http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=213693


-Jon

that parts catalog at trademotion is full of t1n info mixed with ncv info. you can't believe any of it.

bb

[jdcaples]

that parts catalog at trademotion is full of t1n info mixed with ncv info. you can't believe any of it.

bb

I've noticed that. When I first started learning about my Sprinter, it was bad, then it got better. I've also noticed its gotten worse in the last year, particularly in the last 8 months.

I still use it, though. I just use it in conjunction with the MB USA electronic parts catalog and the MOPAR to MB part number cross ref sheets at http://starparts.chrysler.com/home/crossref.htm.

-Jon