Ruapehu Auto Electrical Tips & Advice

If a dashboard warning light comes on call us immediately for advice.

If the dashboard lights come on when they usually go out after starting the car or other vehicle and stay on, take note of what warning lights are on (perhaps take a phone photo), switch the vehicle off and call us straight away. You can do major damage to your vehicle that can cost you thousands if you drive with engine or transmission lights on. Much better to play it safe and we can come and collect you and your vehicle if you’re in Taumarunui. If out on the highway we can in most instances come and get you but there may be additional towing fees.

Car won't start?
Here are some tips

Is your car not starting. First check to see if your battery is flat. Turn on your lights and see if they look bright and fully charged. If they come on and the lights are dim then your battery is flat or low on charge. We can come up and jumpstart you for a small fee or take your vehicle down to the workshop at 15 Huia St Taumarunui

Starter motor wear - how to unlock a starter motor - sometimes

As starter motors wear both the Starter and the Solenoid in your vehicle can become worn and either the wiring loom or the actual teeth on the gear mechanism at the end of the starter motor can wear where it connects to your flywheel which in turn drives the crankshaft which in turn fires and starts your car. One of the tricks that you can use if your starter motor is starting to become worn is to get something like the end of a socket set handle and give the side of the starter motor a good knock. Not to the point where you break the casing but a good downward thrust that hits the side of the motor which can move the internal rotors around. Sometimes rocking the vehicle back and forward can loose can cause the starter motor loom or gear to move and then your car can sometimes go when you turn the Key. However, this is something you need to come and see us about as this problem won't go away by itself.

Poor fuel consumption

There are many reasons for poor fuel consumption. Often all your vehicle needs for improved fuel economy is a good tune and service. We service most vehicles so give us a call or come down and see us and we’ll apply our practised eyes and ears to the problem then give you an indication of likely cause. With our comprehensive vehicle computer diagnosis software, we can detect hundreds of potential faults quickly that for the mechanic without the right equipment are process of elimination which can be time consuming.

Engine misfiring or lacking power

Again there can be numerous reasons why a vehicle is misfiring from fuel injector faults to faulty spark plug wire or even just worn spark plugs. A misfire is not always a major problem and can often be quickly sorted out. Best just to give us a call and arrange a time to come down and we’ll sort it out from there.