01256 819 601

info@basingstokeautocentre.co.uk

Warning Lights and Diagnostics

Our Basingstoke garage boasts a team of skilled professionals, including qualified Auto Electricians and Car Diagnostics specialists, dedicated to handling electrical car diagnostic tasks. With extensive technical expertise and Bosch training, our auto electricians in Basingstoke are well-equipped to address complex issues.

Computer Diagnostics

The auto electrician team at our Basingstoke garage has access to a diverse range of 5 diagnostic computers, enabling us to service a wide array of vehicle manufacturers.

A computer diagnostics test is a form of electronic diagnosis used to assist us in isolating a fault with your car on computer controlled systems. It is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure, conducted by auto-electricians, much like an X-ray or an MRI scan. The test may be inconclusive and further investigation/testing may be required at additional cost.

Our car diagnostics team will plug in using your cars on board diagnostics port (if fitted) and interrogate the vehicles ECU (electronic control unit). Any fault codes will then be printed out with our computer diagnostics tool. It may also be possible on some vehicles, using the latest computer diagnostics equipment, to carry out live data monitoring whilst driving your car.

Please note: We only charge if we are able to gain access to your vehicle's ECU. If we cannot gain access then we will not charge you. In some instances a main dealer diagnostics may be required as the manufacturers/main dealers will not provide the unlock codes required.

Additional Information

Diagnosing computer management faults require the following steps:

Computer Diagnostic Code Read Only: This service is available for £50 inc VAT. For this service we plug in our diagnostic service computer and down-load the fault codes stored on your cars on-board computer, convert the codes to text and give you the print out. You can then decide whether to act on this information without us checking further, and instruct us accordingly.
Computer Diagnostics Investigation: The computer diagnostics check is £120 inc VAT and includes up to one hour of labour, and all further computer code readings for three months or 3,000 miles.
Manual Diagnostics: If your vehicle's ECU has either no fault codes or none relevant to the emissions failure, further manual diagnostic checking will be required subject to the hourly labour rate. This further investigation service may require either electrical diagnostic or manual checking of the catalytic converter system.

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Engine Diagnostics

My engine management light is on and/or the engine is not running properly! What do I do?

With today’s technologically advanced vehicles, all engines are run by on board computers (ECU). When there is a fault these systems will usually display a warning light on the dashboard. This generally has to be interrogated using suitable diagnostics equipment by downloading the fault codes that may be stored in your computer. However, your ECU will not generally diagnose faulty or worn mechanical engine components; this will have to be carried out in addition to the information stored in the vehicles on board computer.

Please note: On some cars, the ECU will introduce a misfire/loss of power or poor throttle response to prevent the possibility of further engine damage and also to reduce harmful exhaust emissions.

ABS Warning Light Faults

My car has failed its MOT on a fault with my ABS system! What do I do now?

The Anti Lock Braking system fitted to modern day cars is generally a system which momentarily releases the brake on the wheel which is skidding or locked up helping steering & vehicle control/handling under heavy braking & emergency conditions. Because the ABS system releases the brakes, any fault which causes the ABS warning light to illuminate or not display on the dashboard could have serious consequences & therefore is an MOT failure.

Diagnosing ABS failures requires the following steps:

Carrying out a Computer Diagnostics Investigation, which involves interrogating your vehicles on board computer (ECU) & extracting any relevant recorded fault codes. Price - £120 inc. VAT and includes 1 hour labour. However unlikely it is that we are unable to access/communicate with your vehicles ECU with one of our five diagnostics computers then you will not be charged for this service.
If your vehicles ECU has either no fault codes or none relevant to the warning lamp, further manual diagnostic checking will be required subject to the hourly labour rate. This further investigation service may require either electrical diagnostic or manual checking of the system.

Auto Electrical Repairs

My car has an electrical problem and computer diagnostics is not an option! What do I do now?

Electrical/wiring repairs are ones which generally cannot be diagnosed using computer diagnostics equipment and can be very labour intensive due to the integral designs of wiring looms (concealed/behind panels, under carpets, trims, through doors etc.)

An example of a wiring fault would be a tail light not working after the bulb has been replaced, in this instance there may be a break somewhere between the light switch in the dashboard and the tail light unit. The wiring between the two runs almost the whole length of the car and is subject to vibration and twisting, impact damage and abrasion. We have a fully trained auto electrician on site in order to carry out most wiring repairs you may require.

It is very difficult to quote for this type of repair, as we do not know the extent and location of the fault. We give these problems to our automotive electrician who works through them with the required wiring diagrams and technical information until the fault is found, this is quoted and authorised on hourly increments. You will be kept updated throughout & can stop this electrical investigation at any time.

Catalytic Converter Problems

A catalytic converter is a part of the exhaust system fitted to most modern petrol engine cars, its primary purpose is to reduce the amount of harmful emissions created by the engine, some of the harmful items a catalytic converter works to decrease are hydrocarbons & carbon monoxide.

This may cause one of the following dashboard lights to illuminate:

Diagnosing engine management faults require the following steps:

Computer Diagnostic Code Read Only: This service is available for £50 inc VAT. For this service we plug in our diagnostic service computer and down-load the fault codes stored on your cars on-board computer, convert the codes to text and give you the print out. You can then decide whether to act on this information without us checking further, and instruct us accordingly.
Computer Diagnostics Investigation: The computer diagnostics check is £120 inc VAT and includes up to one hour of labour, and all further computer code readings for three months or 3,000 miles.
Manual Diagnostics: If your vehicle's ECU has either no fault codes or none relevant to the emissions failure, further manual diagnostic checking will be required subject to the hourly labour rate. This further investigation service may require either electrical diagnostic or manual checking of the catalytic converter system.

However unlikely it is that we are unable to access/communicate with your vehicle's ECU with one of our five diagnostics computers then you will not be charged for this service.

Lambda Sensors

A lambda/oxygen sensor is a monitoring device fitted to the exhaust system. Its primary function is to monitor the emissions that your vehicles engine is producing by relaying the exhaust oxygen content/fuel mixture back to the ECU, thus allowing the ECU to make fine adjustments to the fuel/air mixture.

It is not uncommon for a modern car to be fitted with 2 or more Lambda sensors, a conventional layout will comprise a Pre-cat & a Post-cat lambda probe. The one mounted before the catalytic converter is designed to make fuel/air ratio & mixture adjustments & the Lambda mounted after the catalytic converter is there to ensure the catalytic converter is operating efficiently.

Dashboard Warning Lights

My car has a dashboard warning light on! What do I do?

There are many dashboard warning lights which may illuminate, it is not possible to list them all. In the first instance please consult your vehicle handbook when describing the illuminated warning lamp to us. If you cannot find it in your manual then please look further down this page & select the lamp similar to that displayed in your car. Telephone us with this information & we will advise.

Engine management

The engine management warning light will generally illuminate to warn you of a fault either with an electronic component or the mechanical item that the sensor is designed to monitor. This warning light may also illuminate if there is a fault with one or more of the following systems:

ABS

This lamp will generally illuminate to warn you of a fault with the vehicles anti-lock braking system.

Emissions

Emissions warning lamps are displayed to warn you of a fault with either the fuel & emissions or engine management monitoring system.

Brakes

There are many types of brake warning lights fitted to modern cars, they could relate to a fault with a component i.e. brake linings, a fluid level or to coincide with an additional circuit fault i.e. ABS or traction control.

Traction

This lamp will generally illuminate to warn you of a loss of adherence to the road surface, i.e. wet roads, snow or driving off-road.

Airbag

This warning lamp will illuminate to warn you of a fault with the airbag system.

SRS

The SRS warning light indicates failure in the safety restraint system, ie. seatbelts & airbags.

Service

This lamp will illuminate to remind you that the vehicle is due for a service. Most modern vehicles will provide you with a countdown timer.

Tyre Inflation

This lamp will illuminate in the instance that there is any inflation faults with your tyres, i.e. incorrect pressure or punctures.

Oil

The oil warning lamp will generally display for one of several reasons: Low oil level, oil pressure or oil pressure monitoring.

Diagnosing dashboard warning lights requires the following steps:

Carrying out a Computer Diagnostics Investigation test which involves interrogating your vehicles on board computer (ECU) & extracting any relevant recorded fault codes. Price - £120 inc. VAT. However unlikely it is that we are unable to access/communicate with your vehicles ECU with one of our five diagnostics computers then you will not be charged for this service.
If your vehicles ECU has either no fault codes or none relevant to the illuminated light, further manual diagnostic checking will be required subject to the hourly labour rate. This further investigation service may require either electrical diagnostic or manual checking of the system.

Please note: Dashboard warning lights do not necessarily pinpoint the fault to which they state as some have multiple functions.

Get in Touch

If a warning light has appeared on your dashboard, don’t ignore it. Our experienced technicians use advanced diagnostic equipment to quickly identify the fault and explain exactly what it means for your vehicle.

Contact our friendly team today to book a diagnostic check, request advice, or arrange a convenient appointment. Call us, complete our online enquiry form, or visit the garage — we’ll respond promptly and help you get back on the road with confidence.

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Car repairs by our Basingstoke mechanics

01256 819 601

info@basingstokeautocentre.co.uk

Essex Road, Basingstoke, RG21 7TB

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 5.30pm
Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays: Closed

01256 819 601

info@basingstokeautocentre.co.uk

Warning Lights and Diagnostics