Differential problem

[James]

Hello everyone 

I have a 54 plate 2.4 hybrid automatic Alphard that broke down and ended up being recovered to my local garage in Colchester Essex! 
unfortunately they are unable to fix it as they say the noise is coming from the differential and the gear box will need stripping down. They do not do it and I have been unable to find a workshop that does this work. The local automatic gear box specialist said they do not do diffs.

1. Does anyone know of a place near Colchester that might do this work?

2. has anyone had experience of this problem and is it going to be worth fixing? I love the car and it has been a good runner and is in good condition (or rather was until now)!

thanks for any help and suggestions.

 

[smurf]

The gearbox on the hybrid also contains a motor/ generator, so you might be best searching out a Toyota hybrid specialist. The chances are you may need a complete unit to swap out. 

 

There is a hybrid specialist in based in the South West that does travel to do work, but he might only work on the battery and inverter side of the vehicles. I can't remember his name at the moment. Another name I have seen a lot of mention of is a guy up in Salford called Kaspars Krumins. I haven't got any contact details for him, but he seems to be very active on Facebook. 

[Rojie]

3 hours ago, smurf said:

The gearbox on the hybrid also contains a motor/ generator, so you might be best searching out a Toyota hybrid specialist. The chances are you may need a complete unit to swap out. 

 

There is a hybrid specialist in based in the South West that does travel to do work, but he might only work on the battery and inverter side of the vehicles. I can't remember his name at the moment. Another name I have seen a lot of mention of is a guy up in Salford called Kaspars Krumins. I haven't got any contact details for him, but he seems to be very active on Facebook. 

 

The guy in the South West appears to be based in Torquay; but is actually based in Exeter.

 

Search for Hybrid Battery repair in Torquay, or similar.

 

If desperate, I can find his name from a customer of his.

[James]

Thanks Rojie that’s helpful. I spoke to a specialist automatic gearbox shop but they wouldn’t touch it being and import and ‘rare’ and hybrid! Getting trailered back from garage but looks like it will be up for sale for parts / scrap which is a shame as was a great car! I asked if they would do a complete gearbox change if I could source one but they declined as said may need reprogramming afterwards and they didn’t have the equipment to do that!!

[Alphie]

Have you spotted this one a little way north of you https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/garage/cambridge-hybrid-vehicle-specialists, might be able to provide a 2nd opinion/confirmation of the fault if nothing else. This is the battery guy in Exeter I believe https://www.hybridrepairservice.co.uk/ all said haven't needed to call on either yet. Good luck

Edited July 26 by Alphie

[Rojie]

14 minutes ago, Patricia Ingram said:

Unfortunately I have just had my Alphard towed away also because of a nasty noise on starting.  This, it turns out, was caused by the reverse gear, which although electric is still house inside the gearbox and is calibrated before it leaves the Toyota factory.  The reverse gear spikes caused damage to the inverter, which, as we all know, is an expensive repair.  So the reverse gear spike has cost me in the region of £15K which is what my Alphard was worth as a campervan.;   Such bad luck!  Condolences!

 Hello Patricia,

 

I am sincerely sorry for the hassle you had with your van.

I am truly sorry that myself, and other members, weren't able to help you.

 

Keep well, keep safe.

[James]

Thank you for all of your suggestions.

sorry to hear of your issues Patricia but thanks for sharing your experience as it helps gauge what financial tag might be on the horizon if I were to consider repair!