Car Diagnostics in Kingsbridge

Kingsbridge is a South Hams market town at the head of the estuary on the A379, with a steep main street and rural roads in every direction. Drivers commute, run errands and tackle hills, so a fault that affects starting or charging soon makes itself felt.

At Automaster we offer diagnostics and auto electrics for Kingsbridge drivers, from a single dashboard warning to a recurring electrical gremlin. The garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes.

Why does the engine light come on in my commuter car?

Many things can trigger it: a sensor reading out of range, an emissions fault, a misfire or a wiring problem. The light tells you something is wrong but not what, which is why a diagnostic scan comes first.

We use the stored codes to decide what to test. After the repair we check the fault does not return.

How can I tell a battery fault from a charging fault?

A battery that fails to start the car on a cold morning may be old, but if it runs down again after a charge, the alternator or a drain deserves a look. Lights that dim on hills or at traffic stops can point to charging trouble.

Our testing covers the battery, the alternator output and the starter circuit so that one repair solves the problem.

• Slow cranking in cold weather
• Headlights dimming at idle
• Battery light flickering on the dashboard

What if the starter motor is the problem?

A starter that clicks, grinds or fails now and then can leave you stranded at a steep junction. Sometimes the fault is the starter itself, and sometimes it is a weak battery or a corroded connection.

We test before replacing anything. Access to the starter differs a lot between vehicles, and this is a significant part of the quote.

Our technicians connect a diagnostic reader, review the stored codes, check live sensor readings and then test wiring and connectors by hand where needed. Some faults are found in minutes, while others involve removing trim to reach a loom. We explain the findings in plain language, so you can see what the fault is and what the repair would involve. Drivers who tackle the steep main street and rural roads daily tend to notice faults early, and that detail helps us too.

Do you deal with sensors, alarms and reversing cameras?

Yes. We repair wiring, replace faulty sensors, fix alarms and immobilisers, and sort parking sensors and reversing cameras. Waterfront parking and tight town spaces make those aids valuable.

Intermittent faults take longer, so any pattern you have spotted, such as only when it rains, is a real help.

I live in Kingsbridge: how do I get a diagnostic booked?

Ask for a quote and tell us about the car and the fault. Drivers from Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Loddiswell, Modbury and Thurlestone use we at Longcombe Cross near Totnes.

If the car is unsafe, tell us and we will advise before you drive it any further.