Jenny Smedley Posted October 20, 2021 Author Posted October 20, 2021 28 minutes ago, Rojie said: I have given this a lot of thought. All the videos I have seen show the buttons on the unit (not the screen) as functional. As I understand it, yours are not. It seems that locked units do offer some responses, whereas yours doesn't ! Does the unit allow you to tyre a password, albeit incorrect. If so, that would suggest the unit is not faulty (another concern of mine) just performing its anti theft function. What did the dealer say when you bought the vehicle ? Did he explain the HDD was not functional ? Is the dealer able to replace it with a functioning unit ? I assume you have explored that line of enquiry. I sent him a photo of your unit. I'll get in touch with him again. Thank you again. I'll start from the beginning. When we turn on the ignition the screen momentarily appears with a Logo on it, then it quickly changes to be as in the photos. It appears to be open on a Japanese keyboard. There is no talking lady and no beeping. A few keys work, like the third from the left at the bottom which changes the keyboard characters to English (but that's only temporary.) Writing appears in the top bar which appears to say 'What is your pet's name?' in Japanese. I can then type in the box in English. The people who say they can give you the password, normally ask you to press a button on the right, just below MENU and while holding it switch the side lights on off on off on off, at which point a number should appear in the box. That number can then be translated into the unlocking password. When we do that nothing whatsoever happens. Yes the dealer was upfront and told us the 'radio' would be all in Japanese and wouldn't be much good to us. We accepted that thinking we could make do with it or get it changed. We can't get it to open and show the CD slot, which would be half way to what we want, or display any radio frequencies. We're not interested in the navigation system itself. And we can't (so far) get anyone who can change the unit for an English one - just a stereo/CD player would do. Hope that helps! We have the manual which is of course in Japanese. Someone has scribbled what could be a password in it, but the translator has trouble with it. It appears to be Runa Awaku, which means pale moon. I haven't had a chance to try it yet - but of course I can't write it in Japanese except by copying scribble, which won't be easy, or in English which probably won't work.
Jenny Smedley Posted October 20, 2021 Author Posted October 20, 2021 On 10/18/2021 at 8:04 PM, Rojie said: Oh dear, oh dear ! Try Malaysia too. Alphards were quite popular there. Jenny, you don't have the HDD unit. Either you, or I, or both, are becoming confused ! In summary, we think your head unit is password locked ! Did you speak, or contact, those persons who claim to be able to unlock these for free, or for a small fee ? There is a chap on ebay, who I have read good reports about, who is able to 'tinker' with Alphard head units. He is located in Birmingham Search ebay for beanbean280r. Hopefully he will be able to help you. (He is not cheap). There are many Forum members who have upgraded their head units in various ways. So, don't lose heart' the solution is in here somewhere ! I still have my original HDD unit, so cannot recommend specifically which way to go. Got a reply from bean - he thinks he could help but we'd have to take the car to him, which isn't possible right now.
Rojie Posted October 20, 2021 Posted October 20, 2021 3 hours ago, Jenny Smedley said: Got a reply from bean - he thinks he could help but we'd have to take the car to him, which isn't possible right now. Bean claims to be able to retain all head unit functions while adding all sorts of other goodies. I believe I have read reports that he is able to do these things. Sounds like a day out in your new Alphie to me.
Rojie Posted October 20, 2021 Posted October 20, 2021 3 hours ago, Jenny Smedley said: Thank you again. I'll start from the beginning. When we turn on the ignition the screen momentarily appears with a Logo on it, then it quickly changes to be as in the photos. It appears to be open on a Japanese keyboard. There is no talking lady and no beeping. A few keys work, like the third from the left at the bottom which changes the keyboard characters to English (but that's only temporary.) Writing appears in the top bar which appears to say 'What is your pet's name?' in Japanese. I can then type in the box in English. The people who say they can give you the password, normally ask you to press a button on the right, just below MENU and while holding it switch the side lights on off on off on off, at which point a number should appear in the box. That number can then be translated into the unlocking password. When we do that nothing whatsoever happens. Yes the dealer was upfront and told us the 'radio' would be all in Japanese and wouldn't be much good to us. We accepted that thinking we could make do with it or get it changed. We can't get it to open and show the CD slot, which would be half way to what we want, or display any radio frequencies. We're not interested in the navigation system itself. And we can't (so far) get anyone who can change the unit for an English one - just a stereo/CD player would do. Hope that helps! We have the manual which is of course in Japanese. Someone has scribbled what could be a password in it, but the translator has trouble with it. It appears to be Runa Awaku, which means pale moon. I haven't had a chance to try it yet - but of course I can't write it in Japanese except by copying scribble, which won't be easy, or in English which probably won't work. How frustrating this all is. It seems you have tried to follow the procedure that I have seen in the online videos, without success. I wrote to Bangladesh again to try and answer your question of how sure he is he can fix it. Still waiting his reply. Even if you get this unit unlocked you won't be receiving UK radio without fitting a frequency expender which requires the head unit out of the dash ! Extenders are £20 or so. I haven't given up yet.
Rojie Posted October 20, 2021 Posted October 20, 2021 5 minutes ago, Rojie said: How frustrating this all is. It seems you have tried to follow the procedure that I have seen in the online videos, without success. I wrote to Bangladesh again to try and answer your question of how sure he is he can fix it. Still waiting his reply. Even if you get this unit unlocked you won't be receiving UK radio without fitting a frequency expender which requires the head unit out of the dash ! Extenders are £20 or so. I haven't given up yet. Runa is a popular dog name in Japan !!! Progress ? https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-names/japanese-dog-names. I'm still working on the Awaku part. I suggest you try it both with and without a space. Good Luck. Otherwise we need to work more on the Awaku .
Rojie Posted October 20, 2021 Posted October 20, 2021 9 minutes ago, Rojie said: Runa is a popular dog name in Japan !!! Progress ? https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-names/japanese-dog-names. I'm still working on the Awaku part. I suggest you try it both with and without a space. Good Luck. Otherwise we need to work more on the Awaku . Maru is my favourite (Round), or Amaya, Night Rain
Rojie Posted October 20, 2021 Posted October 20, 2021 3 minutes ago, Rojie said: Maru is my favourite (Round), or Amaya (Night Rain) Awakusu ?? I 'll give you some time to try them !
Jenny Smedley Posted October 20, 2021 Author Posted October 20, 2021 48 minutes ago, Rojie said: Bean claims to be able to retain all head unit functions while adding all sorts of other goodies. I believe I have read reports that he is able to do these things. Sounds like a day out in your new Alphie to me. Not at the moment, but maybe later I have found someone who sounds promising in Norfolk so we'll check them out first
Jenny Smedley Posted October 20, 2021 Author Posted October 20, 2021 40 minutes ago, Rojie said: How frustrating this all is. It seems you have tried to follow the procedure that I have seen in the online videos, without success. I wrote to Bangladesh again to try and answer your question of how sure he is he can fix it. Still waiting his reply. Even if you get this unit unlocked you won't be receiving UK radio without fitting a frequency expender which requires the head unit out of the dash ! Extenders are £20 or so. I haven't given up yet. The guy I just spoke to here says if it's asking for my pet's name then 100% not a product lock out, but a personal password. He's having a look at photos etc and if he can sort it he'll come here - he's mobile. Get satnav from Auto Installations (auto-installations.co.uk) Have a look.
charliec Posted October 20, 2021 Posted October 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Jenny Smedley said: The guy I just spoke to here says if it's asking for my pet's name then 100% not a product lock out, but a personal password. He's having a look at photos etc and if he can sort it he'll come here - he's mobile. Get satnav from Auto Installations (auto-installations.co.uk) Have a look. Hey jenny! Hope all is well and your making SOME progress. Id just like to say this guy might be able to sort it out for you, but most people wont be able to retain the original functions of the unit AND keep the reverse cameras and steering wheel buttons.. Due to the alphies being imports, there is a low chance head unit fitters who arent specialists, wont be able to do the best job possible. People who specialise in Cars that were made in the uk will probably mess up something with the japanese wiring .now, im not saying this guy will be a bad decision, but ben knows his way around an alphard headunit hahah! Ben in an alphard specialist, and i assure you his price will be cheaper than this mobile guy. He charges 260 quid for apple carplay on a headunit, and this includes changing the japanese language on the original screens to english He does some sort of unlocking for 70 pounds, so if your not bothered about all the fancy gadgets, Go to ben for a cheap unlock Ben is great and you wont find anyone better than him. It might be a painfull trip, but i would wait it out until you can go. I would rather wait a month until i could go see ben and unlock my screen for 70 pounds than pay 500-1k to get the screen replaced potentially badly You Wont regret it Charlie
Jenny Smedley Posted October 20, 2021 Author Posted October 20, 2021 11 minutes ago, charliec said: Hey jenny! Hope all is well and your making SOME progress. Id just like to say this guy might be able to sort it out for you, but most people wont be able to retain the original functions of the unit AND keep the reverse cameras and steering wheel buttons.. Due to the alphies being imports, there is a low chance head unit fitters who arent specialists, wont be able to do the best job possible. People who specialise in Cars that were made in the uk will probably mess up something with the japanese wiring .now, im not saying this guy will be a bad decision, but ben knows his way around an alphard headunit hahah! Ben in an alphard specialist, and i assure you his price will be cheaper than this mobile guy. He charges 260 quid for apple carplay on a headunit, and this includes changing the japanese language on the original screens to english He does some sort of unlocking for 70 pounds, so if your not bothered about all the fancy gadgets, Go to ben for a cheap unlock Ben is great and you wont find anyone better than him. It might be a painfull trip, but i would wait it out until you can go. I would rather wait a month until i could go see ben and unlock my screen for 70 pounds than pay 500-1k to get the screen replaced potentially badly You Wont regret it Charlie I'm not fit to drive all the way to Birmingham, sad but true.
charliec Posted October 20, 2021 Posted October 20, 2021 2 minutes ago, Jenny Smedley said: I'm not fit to drive all the way to Birmingham, sad but true. maybe someone you know could do it for you? If your trustworthy enough, someone in Birmingham in the Alphard forum might be able to pick it up or someone near you could take it down. I'm afraid I couldn't, I'm down in London, so wouldn't work
Rojie Posted October 21, 2021 Posted October 21, 2021 17 hours ago, charliec said: maybe someone you know could do it for you? If your trustworthy enough, someone in Birmingham in the Alphard forum might be able to pick it up or someone near you could take it down. I'm afraid I couldn't, I'm down in London, so wouldn't work Hello Jenny, I am so sorry to hear you are not well enough to visit Bean in Birmingham. I'm in Devon, so even further away than Charlie. I still think we are close with the password. Try to find the time, and inclination, to try those few combinations I have suggested. Runa is a very typical name for a pet dog in Japan, so you are already quite close. Hopefully your fitness improves very soon.
Chris.ac Posted October 21, 2021 Posted October 21, 2021 Interesting - I have a registered copy of Techstream - under advanced options is a 'unlock navi screen' button. I do not know what this does, but becausr the navi headunits are connected to the canbus, it may be possible to overide the lock via techstream? this may be why you are quoted £70 to unlock I cannot test this, because I do not hve that head unit - where are you based? if that is not revealing too much information
Rojie Posted October 21, 2021 Posted October 21, 2021 2 hours ago, Chris.ac said: Interesting - I have a registered copy of Techstream - under advanced options is a 'unlock navi screen' button. I do not know what this does, but becausr the navi headunits are connected to the canbus, it may be possible to overide the lock via techstream? this may be why you are quoted £70 to unlock I cannot test this, because I do not hve that head unit - where are you based? if that is not revealing too much information Hi Chris, and a good day to you. Jenny is based in Norfolk, so too far to help, unless you are headed that way ! I am very interested in this Techstream system. I was unaware of it until this post of yours. I have been checking out sources and costs. Jenny may be able to ask her local Toyota if they have Techstream. I can't imagine they won't. Perhaps they can use it to help Jenny. What version of Techstream do you have ?
Chris.ac Posted October 21, 2021 Posted October 21, 2021 Rojie - I have v16.20.23 - I bought it because it wa the cheapest option to program a new key (Smart start) It is also able to do diagnosis - I will grab some screenshots once I have hooked it up.
Chris.ac Posted October 22, 2021 Posted October 22, 2021 Hey - try this youtube video - this dude will provide the code for free (I have seen an android app that charges £9, and other people charging up to £70) All he asks is to Like and Subscribe and leave your 16digit code in the comment - i hope this helps
Rojie Posted October 22, 2021 Posted October 22, 2021 34 minutes ago, Chris.ac said: Hey - try this youtube video - this dude will provide the code for free (I have seen an android app that charges £9, and other people charging up to £70) All he asks is to Like and Subscribe and leave your 16digit code in the comment - i hope this helps Hi Chris, Thanks again for a really useful contribution. I'm sure Jenny will try this asap. The problem is, as I understand it, that Jenny cannot get to this screen, or virtually any other! The stage we are at now is guessing the pet name of the previous owner !. Jenny has found what I believe is the password, written in what we believe is English. However, it is proving somewhat difficult to read properly. Jenny, any chance of you taking a photo of the 'password' for me to work on ?
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