Should parking sensors work as well as the cameras?

[Gareth]

Just bought a new camper conversion based on an imported 2005 Alphard 2.4 petrol, automatic.

Both front and back cameras work but I'd much rather have working parking sensors.

There are 4 sensor 'buttons' where I'd expect them to be and on the dash is a button marked sensor.

The  latter lights up when pressed but no obvious activity.

 

I have the handbook translation and it does refer to sensors somewhere in its 350 pages, not in index as such, but now I can't find it.

the converters told me the external sensor buttons were for the Lane Monitoring System (p123) but the handbook is beyond brief on that!

Apologies for the length of this tome, any suggestions welcome 

[Rojie]

20 minutes ago, Gareth said:

Just bought a new camper conversion based on an imported 2005 Alphard 2.4 petrol, automatic.

Both front and back cameras work but I'd much rather have working parking sensors.

There are 4 sensor 'buttons' where I'd expect them to be and on the dash is a button marked sensor.

The  latter lights up when pressed but no obvious activity.

 

I have the handbook translation and it does refer to sensors somewhere in its 350 pages, not in index as such, but now I can't find it.

the converters told me the external sensor buttons were for the Lane Monitoring System (p123) but the handbook is beyond brief on that!

Apologies for the length of this tome, any suggestions welcome 

 

 

 

Hi John,

 

Most  Alphies have two different types of rear sensors. Toyota call them Clearance Sonar and Back Sonar.

 

Nether are connected to the camera system.

 

I recommend you purchase the JPNZ Owners Manual which explains how to set up the Sonar sensitivities.

 

The cameras and Sonar should all operate as they are not interlinked.

 

The Lane Monitoring System is also totally separate and is a somewhat rare option.

If you have it you will have mysterious black sensors on the bottom of your wing mirrors.

I have never used mine !

 

Can you post a photo of the button?

 

The Sonar controls are part of the head unit nacelle (not the head unit itself) lower lhs.

Check they are not is not turned off, as they can be quite annoying when turned on.

By the time the Japanese Lady admonishes you, you are already TOO CLOSE !

[Gareth]

Hi again Roger 

i'll take a pic of the dash button tomorrow and upload.

Meanwhile, I found the Owner's manual section for Clearance Sonar and Back Sonar, p141, nothing there re setting it up as far as I can see.

odd distinction between clearance and back, looks like front and back to me, possibly a translation issue.

i'm afraid you lost me at "head unit nacelle", I'm not very technical.

More tomorrow 

thanks

[Rojie]

11 hours ago, Gareth said:

Hi again Roger 

i'll take a pic of the dash button tomorrow and upload.

Meanwhile, I found the Owner's manual section for Clearance Sonar and Back Sonar, p141, nothing there re setting it up as far as I can see.

odd distinction between clearance and back, looks like front and back to me, possibly a translation issue.

i'm afraid you lost me at "head unit nacelle", I'm not very technical.

More tomorrow 

thanks

 

What head unit do you have ?

 

The Sonars are operated through the panel below the head unit.

They are set up through the head unit.

How is your Japanese !

 

The nacelle is the LCD panel, and surroundings, below the removeable head unit.

 

It isn't a translation issue. There are 'separate' sensor systems with different settings and different purposes.

 

[Rojie]

Check out pages 142 and 143.

 

I am (now) doubting my recollection that they are configured through the head unit. 

 

More thinking required !

[Gareth]

Hi Roger

First pic below shows Sonar switch on dash.

it lights up green when pressed and momentarily the red lights show on all the corners 

I've again tried edging up close to walls etc, front and rear, but nothing changes on this switch/ display

the rear camera is operational automatically throughout whilst in reverse, the front camera only when the button on steering wheel pressed

these cameras don't give me what a parking sensor would 

 

Separate question, in second pic/video, there's a white button to the right if the hazard warning , any ideas what it does as I've tried pressing it but nothing seems to happen, could be an add on in the conversion of course.

 

where is the head unit you refer to?

[Rojie]

3 hours ago, Gareth said:

Hi Roger

First pic below shows Sonar switch on dash.

it lights up green when pressed and momentarily the red lights show on all the corners 

I've again tried edging up close to walls etc, front and rear, but nothing changes on this switch/ display

the rear camera is operational automatically throughout whilst in reverse, the front camera only when the button on steering wheel pressed

these cameras don't give me what a parking sensor would 

 

Separate question, in second pic/video, there's a white button to the right if the hazard warning , any ideas what it does as I've tried pressing it but nothing seems to happen, could be an add on in the conversion of course.

 

where is the head unit you refer to?

2A7B632A-278C-4C78-8D7A-2CDE81DF6A17.MOV

 

Ok, not in any order.

 

The .mov shows nothing as it does not run! At least, not on my PC.

 

You have a front camera. Imo, it is very useful, but only operates at low speed.

It displays sideways and downwards. I leave mine on all the time

 

The camera is switchable from the head unit (on my HDD head unit anyway) as well as the steering wheel.

Some Alphies have a quirky little mirror on nearside front wing.

 

The reversing camera only operates in reverse and is your reversing aid.

Does yours display the coloured boxes. Again, imo, much more useful than reversing beepers.

Some owners have considered fitted parking sensors.

 

I believe the Sonar system coupled with the reversing camera is the Japanese equivalent.

 

The head unit is the Audio system, radio, DVD, CD, MD, HDD system and Sat Nav.

Yours will be in Japanese and will not be changeable to English.

 

When did you last visit Torbay ?

I live at Broadsands Beach, if you care to drive over we can meet up.

Perhaps we can sort out some of these issues face to face.

 

 

[Gareth]

Thanks for your input Roger

i'm going to have a chat with my friendly local garage, I'll let you know if they can throw some light on exactly what works or not

Appreciate the offer to visit Torbay which I will leave in abeyance for now

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, Gareth said:

Thanks for your input Roger

i'm going to have a chat with my friendly local garage, I'll let you know if they can throw some light on exactly what works or not

Appreciate the offer to visit Torbay which I will leave in abeyance for now

 

Most official Toyota dealers will not work on JDM imports.

 

However, Snows of Paignton, Exeter and Plymouth will.

 

My guess is, Snows in Honiton will too.

 

Plymouth seems to be where most of their knowledge base is.

[Gareth]

I'll ask Snows in Honiton, thanks again

[Rojie]

On 2/25/2023 at 9:05 AM, Rojie said:

Check out pages 142 and 143.

 

I am (now) doubting my recollection that they are configured through the head unit. 

 

More thinking required !

 

Doubt over. The sensors can be configured through the head unit; my head unit at least.

 

My advice, leave well alone unless you are fluent in Japanese !

[Chris.ac]

The small white switch is used to bypass the lock out that prevents dvd being played on front screen when parking brake is not applied and also allows the japanese satnav to be interacted with whilst moving (in Japan, you usually cannot change satnav settings when speedo is above zero mph) 

 

Your headunit(stereo) is not exactly the same, but check here, as many of the buttons are labelled similar. 

 

http://eightseaters.blogspot.com/search?q=Parking+

[Gareth]

Thanks Chris, really helpful.

my dealer hadn't a clue about the white button.

i shall go through that interesting looking blog later.

 

Meantime, an update, both my front and rear parking sensors do work after all.

i had doubts about the front ones but since found that they get triggered when about 2 inches away from an obstacle!

[Tacoman]

On 2/25/2023 at 9:59 PM, Gareth said:

I'll ask Snows in Honiton, thanks again

Did snows in Honiton say they’d work on your alphard? Keep meaning to contact them to ask. 

[Gareth]

45 minutes ago, Tacoman said:

Did snows in Honiton say they’d work on your alphard? Keep meaning to contact them to ask. 

I filled in their online enquiry form and got no response, that told me all I needed to know about them

i have a long term relationship with a different local garage who I will use as required

[Tacoman]

1 hour ago, Gareth said:

I filled in their online enquiry form and got no response, that told me all I needed to know about them

i have a long term relationship with a different local garage who I will use as required

Thanks! 

[Rojie]

10 hours ago, Gareth said:

I filled in their online enquiry form and got no response, that told me all I needed to know about them

i have a long term relationship with a different local garage who I will use as required

 

I visit mine personally. Drink their excellent Hot Chocolate, and normally get excellent service.

The only downside is that, as an official Toyota dealer, they are not cheap !

 

I will continue to recommend Snows, but not the Honiton branch (although, I suppose, your form may not have 'gone' to Honiton).

[atlanticcobra2023]

Hi Sorry to open this old post, I found that having the green symbol lit up by pressing the small black button beneath it allows the sensors to work. They light up when the corners get close to objects at their individual height. I reversed carefully using the symbol on and got very close to a solid brick wall. (see picture). This was also after fitting a aftermarket head unit. Both bottom sensors light up and sounder bleeps, I am not sure how close I was when this started but was pleasing result as I have tow bar fitted.

[Gareth]

Hi Chris. I also have a 2005, an auto, 2.4 petrol, a motor caravan conversion.

In the 5 months since purchase I've become entirely reliant on both front and rear sensors.

i have an awkward exit from my driveway which would be quite an issue without them.

i get the first beep and flashing light when about 18" from whatever, a continuous screech when about 12" away plus the Japanese lady gets quite agitated too.

The reversing camera not really my thing, it certainly shows me entering the 'red zone', where I need to go, but the screen view not clear enough to judge exactly how far from an obstruction I am, probably my eyesight!

But all in all a very well equipped vehicle, a dream to drive after the various VW manual vans I've owned over the years, pity about the petrol consumption!
I reckon I get under 25mpg, mostly short journeys.

[atlanticcobra2023]

Yeah Gareth: Short journeys do use more fuel. I have Hybrid version, but to be honest the mpg doesn't really bother me.

Mine is off the road at the moment, because a previous owner somewhere along the line had spliced an accessory in and fitted in a 250v glass bulb.

It blew when I turned the ignition on the other day and caused some major issues. So I am now going through the wiring diagrams and slowly repairing the blown circuits.