Car Diagnostics in Hazelwood

Hazelwood is a small rural hamlet in the Avon valley area of the South Hams, reached by narrow lanes. Cars here often make short, occasional trips, which is not ideal for batteries and can leave small electrical faults unnoticed until the car refuses to start.

Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from the surrounding countryside and nearby Loddiswell, Kingsbridge and Modbury come to us for diagnostics and auto electrics.

What can I expect from a car diagnostic?

We read the fault codes stored in the car and then test the circuits they point to. A code identifies a system or circuit, not a failed part, so more testing follows before we recommend a repair.

You will get an explanation in plain language of what we found, along with a quote for the work.

Why does a car used for short trips have battery problems?

A short journey may not give the battery enough time to recover what the starter took out of it. Over weeks, the charge level drops, and eventually the car will not start.

A new battery helps only if the cause is age. We check the charging system and any drain so the same thing does not happen again.

• Slow starting in cold weather
• Needing jump leads more than once
• A battery light that flickers

What are the common warning lights?

Amber engine light: a fault to be checked soon. Red battery light: charging fault. Red oil or temperature light: stop at once. Flashing lights usually mean serious trouble.

If any warning is linked to brakes, steering or overheating, do not carry on driving. Call us first.

A car that sits for days between journeys can develop flat batteries, seized connections and stale starter contacts. When it finally goes wrong, the symptoms can look dramatic even though the cause is small. We test the battery, charging system and starter before suggesting parts, because replacing the wrong item wastes money and leaves you stuck again. Drivers from the surrounding countryside often travel a distance to us, so we try to settle the whole fault in one visit where the vehicle allows.

Can you handle sensors, wiring and starter motors?

Yes. We carry out sensor replacement, electrical fault finding, wiring repairs, alternator and starter motor replacement, alarms, immobilisers, reversing cameras and parking sensors.

Faults that come and go need more time to trace, and the time involved is a key factor in the quote.

Do you cover Hazelwood?

Yes. Drivers from Hazelwood and nearby come to us at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Ask for a quote and explain the symptoms, and we will advise on the next step.

If the car is not safe to drive, tell us and we will talk through the options.