Car Diagnostics in Kingston

Kingston is a South Hams village of narrow, high-hedged lanes close to the coast, and the cars that live here work hard on short, twisting journeys. That kind of driving is not kind to batteries, and a dashboard light that appears on a quiet lane is easy to ignore until it becomes a problem.

At Automaster we look after diagnostics and auto electrics for drivers from Kingston and the surrounding countryside. The garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and we deal with everything from a single dashboard light to a fault that comes and goes.

What does a car diagnostic scan actually tell you?

A scan connects to the vehicle and reads the fault codes stored by its control units. A code points to a circuit or a system that has reported something out of range. It is not a shopping list of parts, and replacing whatever the code names often fixes nothing.

The code is where the investigation starts. A technician then tests the sensor, the wiring and the connectors around it to find out whether the part, the cable or something upstream is really at fault.

Why has my engine management light come on?

The amber engine warning light covers a wide range of faults, from a loose connection at a sensor to an emissions problem. A steady light usually means the car can be checked soon, while a flashing one suggests something more serious such as a misfire, and you should stop driving and call us.

Other lights matter too. A red battery symbol means the charging system is not keeping up, and a red oil or temperature light means stop as soon as it is safe.

• Steady amber light: book a diagnostic check
• Flashing warning light: stop driving and call
• Red battery light: charging fault, avoid long trips

Is it the battery, the alternator or the starter motor?

Slow cranking, clicking or a dead dashboard point to the battery or its connections, but a battery that keeps going flat may really be a charging fault. We test the battery, the alternator output and the starter circuit so you replace the part that has actually failed.

Lots of short trips on village lanes leave a battery topped up less than you would expect, which is worth mentioning when you ask for a quote.

Can you fix sensors, wiring and parking aids?

Yes, our work covers sensor faults and replacement, electrical fault finding and wiring repairs, alarms and immobilisers, and reversing cameras and parking sensors. Narrow lanes with high hedges mean cars brush foliage and clip walls, which can leave parking sensors and camera lenses dirty or knocked out of position.

Intermittent faults take more time because the car has to be misbehaving before the fault can be traced. The more you can tell us about when it happens, the quicker we get to it.

Do you cover Kingston, and where do I bring the car?

Yes. Drivers from Kingston, Bigbury, Ringmore, Modbury and Kingsbridge come to us, and the garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, TQ9 6PL. Ask for a quote and tell us the make, model, age and what the car is doing, and we will say what we need to see.

Please do not keep driving if a fault affects the brakes, steering or engine temperature. Call us first.