Broken down

[James]

Any ideas please?

I was driving when suddenly engine stopped and all lights came on on dash. Managed to coast to roadside. Head unit screen flashed and lights all died on dash as if power loss. 
after 20 minutes I put key in and it restarted!

the car has had a differential replaced a few months ago new bushes and brakes just a few days ago!

have not tried driving again yet as concerned Sam may happen in a dangerous location!

 

any suggestions what might be the problem?

Computer control unit??

 

[Gamith]

I would do a diagnostic test to see what comes out (if you have a diagnostic tester), but at a guess I would say it's likely to be a loose connection or earth - something that hasn't been put back properly after the recent work. Check battery terminals first and see whether they need tightening, then look around for loose cables.

[Jeza]

Check the engine earth strap as well

[James]

Thanks all.

update. Recovery to garage who after a few days decided it was the battery that had died.  They took it on a drive with replacement battery and after 200m the car died and needed recovery. Any further suggestions please?

the rac man found the alternator was charging but thought it had a noise that made him turn think it was failing. Garage found alternator ok. Could it be alternator is causing the problem?

I also had noted prior to breakdown that when I braked sometimes there was a noise and the brakes would sometimes apply sharply despite me only breaking very lightly. Brake pads had been replaced and had work check by another garage who said all was ok.  
I wondered if the problem might be associated with the regenerative braking system??

any thoughts gratefully received. Thanks 

[Michael Brown]

The Inverter vertually runs the Alphard, get it checked over by a specialist

[smurf]

When you say it had a differential changed, do you know exactly what was changed? The gearbox is quite a complex and unusual piece of equipment, and I'm surprised you found a garage willing to replace a component of it.

 

You need to take it to a hybrid specialist who understands Alphards and has the correct diagnostic equipment or you will waste more time and money with garages taking a guess after two days, or RAC mechanics that think the car has a dodgy 12V alternator (it doesn't have a 12V alternator). 

 

There is a hybrid specialist in the Exeter that travels https://www.hybridrepairservice.co.uk/

 

Another alternative is this guy in Wigan that seems well regarded. You would have to get the car trailered up there though. https://www.facebook.com/Vjkomix

[James]

Thank you Michael and Smurf your advice is much appreciated.

i am in Colchester Essex so if anyone knows an alphard specialist closer that would be good. At the moment the car is stuck at the garage.

the differential was replaced by a small garage in water beach near Cambridge with a reconditioned unit. They had a few Alphard there and it worked ok afterwards but I lost my confidence in them when they tried to tell me my tyres were 25 years old and needed replacing along with other stuff!! Fortunately I had videos of the car taken the day it was transferred to them (I had been scammed on tyres in the past)!! Having the work reviewed by my local garage they found my inner wheel arch protectors had gone awol!

I will keep you posted as to what is happening and the outcome but any suggestions appreciated. Once / if it gets back into service so I can take it somewhere I will try book it in to an alphard specialist to have a look over it. I think it’s a great car but recently have lost my confidence with it having spent significant money only to be recovered twice!!

hope everyone has a safe and happy festive season.

j

[smurf]

I've heard a couple of anecdotal stories about a Cambridge based hybrid specialist, and they wouldn't be on my list of prospective garages if I had a hybrid fault. Don't know if it is the same people, but there can't be too many hybrid specialists around there. 

 

Options are limited, as you have no doubt already discovered. I'd be going with the best expertise available rather than local garages willing to have a go at your expense. You might find your breakdown cover will transport the car to a location of your choice.

 

If you are on Facebook you could try asking on this group if there is anyone nearer to you that could help https://facebook.com/groups/584860908755825/

[James]

Thanks Smurf

[Rojie]

9 hours ago, smurf said:

When you say it had a differential changed, do you know exactly what was changed? The gearbox is quite a complex and unusual piece of equipment, and I'm surprised you found a garage willing to replace a component of it.

 

You need to take it to a hybrid specialist who understands Alphards and has the correct diagnostic equipment or you will waste more time and money with garages taking a guess after two days, or RAC mechanics that think the car has a dodgy 12V alternator (it doesn't have a 12V alternator). 

 

There is a hybrid specialist in the Exeter that travels https://www.hybridrepairservice.co.uk/

 

Another alternative is this guy in Wigan that seems well regarded. You would have to get the car trailered up there though. https://www.facebook.com/Vjkomix

 

Members should be aware that hybridrepairservice,co.uk/ has previously objected to less that favourable comments on this forum, and some comments were removed.

As a consequence, any future negative reviews will also be removed as this forum is in the public domain.

 

Notwithstanding that, there have been many favourable reports about the effectivity of services provided.

 

However, it is true to say that true 'experts' in the maintenance/repair of hybrid vehicle battery systems are few and hard to find.

 

Imho, the Exeter facility is well worth an enquiry, but he is very busy, at times, as Hybrid the version of the Alphard / Vellfire becomes ever more popular.