What are these?

[WideCharlie]

As I continue learning about my newly acquired 2007 Alphard 2.4, I find (to me) mysterious objects here and there. The first things to tax my ignorance are shown in the pics in this message. The question is: what are they? They aren’t a problem. They seems to sit there minding their own business, but I am curious. The first two are button shaped, sitting far forward on the right hand side of the dash, close to the windscreen, thus preventing me seeing if there are any marks on them. They are rigid, they do not press.

 

The second pic is of something that seems to be a sensor, again resting on the right hand side of the dash, with wiring feeding up the column between door and windscreen. 
 

I can find no reference to them in my English translation user’s manual, but I suspect some of you experienced and knowledgeable Alphard owners will know what they are.

 

Thanks in advance and I hope this is the correct board on which to post this message.

[Rojie]

4 hours ago, WideCharlie said:

As I continue learning about my newly acquired 2007 Alphard 2.4, I find (to me) mysterious objects here and there. The first things to tax my ignorance are shown in the pics in this message. The question is: what are they? They aren’t a problem. They seems to sit there minding their own business, but I am curious. The first two are button shaped, sitting far forward on the right hand side of the dash, close to the windscreen, thus preventing me seeing if there are any marks on them. They are rigid, they do not press.

 

The second pic is of something that seems to be a sensor, again resting on the right hand side of the dash, with wiring feeding up the column between door and windscreen. 
 

I can find no reference to them in my English translation user’s manual, but I suspect some of you experienced and knowledgeable Alphard owners will know what they are.

 

Thanks in advance and I hope this is the correct board on which to post this message.

 

Japanese owners are well known for adding 'extras' to their vehicles.

 

I think the first photo is light sensors.

 

The second appears to be a switch or, more likely, a microphone for some piece of add on kit accessory they had.

 

Most accessories are removed before sale, auction or export.

I have several.

 

Just try and ignore them !

[Picasso]

Roger correct put your lights in auto on stalk if you cover the top photo sensors with a piece of card your lights will come on 

[WideCharlie]

Roger and Lee, thank you, you’re spot on accurate with the light sensors. Tried the card trick and, yes, they work perfectly. As for the other bits and pieces I shall, indeed, ignore them, at least until they start to bother me too much 🙂

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, WideCharlie said:

Roger and Lee, thank you, you’re spot on accurate with the light sensors. Tried the card trick and, yes, they work perfectly. As for the other bits and pieces I shall, indeed, ignore them, at least until they start to bother me too much 🙂

 

If you choose to remove the 'bits and pieces', be careful, they are probably still live.

 

Only 12v but you do not want any 'fireworks'.

[WideCharlie]

Nah, they can stay where they are. They are quite decorative and might even impress the occasional passenger when I mention ejector seats. 

[Chris.ac]

Sensors.

One for auto lights.

One for the climate control.

The little triangle is a dealer option Toyota security system.

Depending on the setup, you may find you have a bonnet sensor ( check if there are electrical wires on the bonnet clasp)

You should have an extra horn.

It should have come with an extra fob to activate/deactivate.

Basic alarm system for doors.

It should have flashing LEDs on it if active.

 

 

Edited January 7 by Chris.ac

[WideCharlie]

Good morning Chris and thank you for the comments.

1 Yes I have the sensor for the auto lights, although I suspect its sensitivity need adjusting somehow because the lights won’t come on in the Dartmoor gloom, just when nightfall makes it sufficiently dark.

2 I clearly have the other sensor which you identify as ‘climate control’ but which then begs the question: what is climate control when I have fans aplenty and air conditioning, no other switch that is marked climate control and I can find no reference to it in the manual?

3 OK yes, I can see that the little triangle thing is a sensor for an after market alarm system but, like so much else, I’m not immediately clear how it operates. In fact, I have inadvertently set the alarm off a couple of times and switched it off by simply putting the key into the ignition. 
4 There is no bonnet sensor.

5 An extra horn?

6 I don’t have an extra fob although last week I obtained an expensive second key which has on it a red button with a diagram of what appears to be a blaring speaker but I’m reluctant to try that out on a Sunday morning so as not to make all the neighbours jump out of their skins. It might be alarm related! I’ll try it some time away from civilised society.

 

I apologise to all and sundry for appearing dumb. I’m beginning to feel I need to attend an Alphard 101 course. When I was young (a long time ago 👴) we only had basic car controls, and plugs and points to contend with, not computers which, we were promised, would make our lives easier. Ha!

 

You can probably guess that I have other questions but I’ll save those for now so as not to exhaust the forum’s good will 😚

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, WideCharlie said:

Good morning Chris and thank you for the comments.

1 Yes I have the sensor for the auto lights, although I suspect its sensitivity need adjusting somehow because the lights won’t come on in the Dartmoor gloom, just when nightfall makes it sufficiently dark.

2 I clearly have the other sensor which you identify as ‘climate control’ but which then begs the question: what is climate control when I have fans aplenty and air conditioning, no other switch that is marked climate control and I can find no reference to it in the manual?

3 OK yes, I can see that the little triangle thing is a sensor for an after market alarm system but, like so much else, I’m not immediately clear how it operates. In fact, I have inadvertently set the alarm off a couple of times and switched it off by simply putting the key into the ignition. 
4 There is no bonnet sensor.

5 An extra horn?

6 I don’t have an extra fob although last week I obtained an expensive second key which has on it a red button with a diagram of what appears to be a blaring speaker but I’m reluctant to try that out on a Sunday morning so as not to make all the neighbours jump out of their skins. It might be alarm related! I’ll try it some time away from civilised society.

 

I apologise to all and sundry for appearing dumb. I’m beginning to feel I need to attend an Alphard 101 course. When I was young (a long time ago 👴) we only had basic car controls, and plugs and points to contend with, not computers which, we were promised, would make our lives easier. Ha!

 

You can probably guess that I have other questions but I’ll save those for now so as not to exhaust the forum’s good will 😚

 

2) Climate control is, effectively. air conditioning.

 

6) I would guess that red button is a Panic Alarm.

 

It's no wonder these machines can be referred to as "Toys".

[Chris.ac]

on later models, the light sensor is a single one.

On older vehicles, you had one for the auto lights, and one that detects sunlight in order to determine if the ac comes on automatically.

 

The light sensitivity is able to be changed on 2008 onwards, but not sure if this is the same for earlier.

If you google toyota auto light sensitivity you should find some youtube vids showing how to adjust.

 

i think the sensitivity settings in the ecu is based the fact south japan is nearer equator, and therefore has a more distinct dawn/dusk transition.

I wonder if northern japanese models had better sensitivity settings based on a higher latitude that would work more in line with UK climate.

 

I can observe the lux reading with the OBD2 diagnostics, and I think i have the trigger values in a manual somewhere, so it may be possible to fool the system by adding a resistor in series with the sensor - maybe a uk toyota sensor could be swapped in.

 

There is a manual for that alarm, its in japanese, i will see if i can find it again

 

 

 

 

[WideCharlie]

Good morning Roger and Chris and thank you once again for the information. I think I’m fairly well sorted now as regards those sensors and the alarm. The triangular one now blinks away like a good ‘un and I’m happy with the A/C: Climate Control operation although it doesn’t seem to help much where this dreadful winter weather is concerned🤕.

 

I haven’t yet tried the ‘panic button’ but might give that a go later today. Toys indeed, Roger!

[pipsyp]

The other sensor on the dash for the climate control is a solar sensor......it adjusts the air distribution depending on how the light is shining into the vehicle, I believe to try to eliminate any heat build up that might occur when the vehicle is in direct sunlight.

 

Most Alphards have UV/Solar glass anyway which also helps with this.

[WideCharlie]

Thank you Paul. That’s interesting information but I can’t imagine any heat build-up in my Alphard in this wetter than wet Godforsaken climate we have here in the South West. It feels like it’s been monsoon-like since September. Depressing.