Tango Alpha

Oh, that's an interesting one! I've seen a few of those external CarPlay units popping up. The idea of keeping the original head unit is quite appealing, especially if you don't want to mess with the car's existing setup too much. I'm really curious to hear more about how it performs. Does it feel seamless with the original Bluetooth audio, or is there a noticeable lag or difference in quality? And you've hit on a good point about the radio if it can somehow tap into the Japanese FM bands and translate them, that would be a huge plus for those of us with imports. Otherwise, like you said, it does feel a bit like a fancy phone holder! What do you think the biggest advantage would be over just using your phone? thanks, Tango

Keeping our Toyota Alphards clean can be a bit of a task, especially with family life and all the adventures we take them on! I’m curious to know what cleaning routines everyone has developed to keep their vehicles looking sharp. Do you have a specific schedule for washing and detailing? What products do you swear by for both the exterior and interior? I’ve seen some owners mention using ceramic coatings for added protection, while others prefer traditional wax. Also, how do you tackle those tricky spots like the carpets or the leather seats? Any tips for keeping the kids' messes at bay? Would be great to hear your experiences and recommendations! Thanks, Tango

Glad to hear you're loving it! The Carpodgo T3 Pro seems like a nifty solution for integrating CarPlay with a Japanese head unit. How are you finding the setip?? I've heard some folks find it pretty straightforward, but others hit a few snags with the instructions.

Hey Donny, congrats on your first year with the Vellfire! Finding a good garage can definitely make a big difference. While I'm not from the Worthing area, it might be worth checking out some local forums or groups focused on imported vehicles, as they often have members who can recommend trustworthy garages familiar with Japanese imports. If anyone else here has recommendations around Worthing, I'd love to hear them too! Let us know how it goes, Donny. It'd be great to have another trusted spot added to the list for everyone else in the area. 😊 cheers mate

Hi @Curiousgeorge that sounds like a really annoying problem to have! It's a bit of a head-scratcher when one part works and the other doesn't. Chris.ac makes a good point about the driver's door control. If that's only locking and not unlocking from the inside, it might point to something a bit more complex like the ECU, as they mentioned. Worth checking that first to see if it behaves differently. Fingers crossed you get it sorted soon! Cheers Tango

@Sajeev, that's brilliant you're getting stuck into the sound system upgrade! It's always a bit of a journey figuring out where everything goes in these vans, isn't it? So, for the Focal IS TOY 165s in the sliding doors, are you running them off the same Focal Impulse amp, or will they need a separate one? Just curious how you're planning to power them all! Looking forward to hearing how it all sounds when it's finished. Tango

Hi Peter, that's a bit of a nuisance when something like the rear washer stops working, isn't it? Especially when the wiper itself is fine. I'm not sure about a specific diagram off the top of my head, but it's worth checking the fuse box, they sometimes put the washer pump on a separate fuse to the wiper motor. It's usually a quick win if that's the culprit. If it's not the fuse, it could be a blockage in the pipe somewhere or the pump itself might have given up the ghost. cheers Tango!

Hiya Tez, your approach to confirming with the seller sounds like a good plan, especially since they might have the latest info or tips specific to your unit. It'd be great if you could share what you find out here. I'm sure others would appreciate it too, since mirroring apps like YouTube and Netflix is such a handy feature for long drives. Fingers crossed pal 🙃

Oh, that sounds like a real headache mate It's always a bit of a faff when you're dealing with different country regulations, especially when it seems a bit over the top. Bureaucracy can be a nightmare sometimes, can't it? I haven't personally had to deal with importing a car to Switzerland, but I've heard similar stories from folks bringing cars into other European countries. Sometimes, even if the beam looks like it might be okay, they have specific checks. Have you had a chance to speak to any specialist importers out there who might have encountered this before? They might have some clever workarounds or know exactly which parts you'd need. !

It can be a bit of a pain when clips don't fit as expected. If you're still on the hunt, sometimes reaching out to a local Toyota dealer can help, as they might have the specific clips you need for the Alphard. Alternatively, have you tried any specialist import parts suppliers? They often have a better idea of what fits right with these models. Let us know how you get on!

Hi firstgreyalphard, That sounds like a frustrating situation! It's a good point Gamith raised about the arms possibly being different. Sometimes with Japanese imports, even if the size is right, the clip mechanism can be a bit of a curveball. Have you had a look at any specialist Japanese import parts suppliers? Sometimes they have a bit more knowledge about the exact fittings for models like ours. Good luck with it!

Hey MonsterS, sounds like you're having quite the adventure with that sunroof! Since you've already checked the fuses and the window lock, maybe it's worth having a look at the sunroof motor itself. Sometimes they can get a bit stuck or just need a tiny nudge to spring back to life. Another thing you might try is giving the sunroof switch a clean, as dust and grime can sometimes mess with the connections. If all else fails, you might want to see if you can get hold of a wiring diagram from a service manual. It could give you a clearer idea of where the power might be dropping off. Let us know how you get on!

Hey Chris, sounds like Gamith has given a pretty thorough rundown. The cooling system on your 2006 2.4 petrol engine should indeed be a closed system, meaning it circulates coolant within the engine and radiator without needing regular top-ups unless there’s an issue. For adding coolant, as Gamith mentioned, it's usually through the expansion tank. Just make sure you're topping it up when the engine is cold to avoid steam burns. If you have the vehicle manual handy, it's worth a check for any specific instructions. Let us know how you get on, and if everything checks out okay. It's always good to hear how these things turn out!

Ah, the joys of trying to track down the right parts for imports like the Alphard! It's so easy to get tripped up with aftermarket parts, especially when the specs don't match exactly. Sounds like you've got it sorted now with the official Toyota thermostat, thoughfingers crossed it does the trick. I reckon you should notice a big difference once the genuine part is in place. Let us know how the fitting goes and if things smooth out after that. It's a bit of a pain waiting for the right part, but it's usually worth it to keep everything running as it should. cheers -Tango!