1. Hard to Start – Especially on Cold Mornings or After Work
A fair few drivers from Flagstaff to Te Kowhai pop in here saying, “Hey, my car’s taking ages to fire up, or sometimes it just clicks.” It’s pretty common in Hamilton, especially if you’re running an older Subaru Forester or a Suzuki Swift that’s seen a bit of stop-start on Ulster Street or heading through Hillcrest Road with all the schools and slow traffic. Could be your battery, starter motor, or sometimes that ignition barrel’s getting sticky.
A dead giveaway it’s battery-related is if you turn the key and all you get is a lazy click or the engine turns over really slow. Been seeing it heaps as winter rolls in, especially after those foggy mornings in Taupiri or early starts for work down Kahikatea Drive. Doesn’t matter if you drive a Toyota Aqua hybrid or a late model VW Golf, dodgy batteries and starter issues hit every make and model. Good idea to check the battery voltage now and then and keep your starter contacts tidy, rather than waiting until you’re blocking traffic at the Dinsdale roundabout.
Got more questions about keeping your battery healthy? Have a squiz at our Battery Charging and Maintenance Guide.
2. Flickering or Weird Dashboard Lights
If your dash lights go all disco when you turn the key – dim, flickering, or not showing up at all – that’s usually pointing to something going on with the ignition switch or even some dodgy wiring. Doesn’t matter if you’re in a Mazda Demio or a Peugeot 308, those electrical niggles crop up all across the board. Had a customer from Ngaruawahia last week, her Hyundai i30’s dashboard was flashing every time she hit a pothole at The Base. Turns out her ignition switch had worn contacts.
It’s worth checking the wiring and making sure there’s no loose or burnt connections – we see heaps of this over summer too, when dust and dry heat in places like Whatawhata can make plastics brittle and wires can wiggle loose after a rough ride over Hamilton’s speed bumps.
Want to learn more about what those lights mean? Check out our Dashboard Warning Diagnostics page.
3. Engine Stalling or Misfiring – Feels like a Kangaroo Hopping Down River Road
Ever had your engine just conk out while you’re waiting at the lights on Peachgrove Road? Or maybe it starts to cough and splutter going up Brymer Road? Engine stalling or misfiring is often down to worn spark plugs or crook ignition coils. We see it in everything from Honda Jazz hybrids to older Mitsi Outlanders. Had a gent from Tamahere whose Kia Sportage kept stalling every time he tried to crawl through midtown traffic – changing out his spark plugs sorted it quick smart.
Good spark plugs and coils mean you avoid wasting fuel and keep things running sweet. Regular checks are a winner, especially before you head out to places like Cambridge or Raglan for the weekend.
If you want the nitty-gritty on engine performance troubles, have a read of our article on Engine Misfires.
Final Word – Catch Those Ignition Problems Early
Hamilton roads and the Waikato weather throw a lot at your car. If you spot any of these signs – slow starts, dodgy dash lights, or the old hop-and-stall – get onto it before it leaves you stranded at Chartwell or on a country road near Morrinsville. Regular car service in Hamilton (especially before WOF time) is the way to go.
With decades of real local experience, the team here at Grimmer Motors can suss out and sort these problems fast – whether you drive a European wagon or a trusty old Prius. We do everything from battery testing and ignition switch checks right through to replacement ignition coils. Heaps of our customers come back for the friendly, down-to-earth advice and reliable workmanship.
Don’t wait till you’re stuck – flick us a booking if you’ve noticed any of these issues and we’ll get you sorted.