Rojie

I read that trickle charging will not fully charge a lead calcium battery. They need close to 16 volts ! Maybe what I have read is 'marketing'; but I do know that my new charger 'reconditioned' my old battery. My old, conventional, charger didn't get close. I will try the PlusGas approach, although I have some WD40) Contact Cleaner somewhere. (Not the 'normal' WD40). It remains to be seen how good my new battery will be. I have read, with the MZ G edition, with all the electrical options, that it is wise not to operate tailgates and slide doors (much) unless the engine is running. Not very practical when you are camping out, I know.

I have just renewed my main battery. The battery fitted was a lead calcium type. Looking at the Toyota Alphard EPC data; the correct type was fitted. I think it had suffered neglect during the Covid period (by the dealer, not myself). So, it turns out, that many older battery charges won't, adequately, charge Lead Calcium batteries. It seems old chargers will charge older batteries, but the battery will not become fully charged. The calcium versions need a higher charging voltage; they are, of course, still 12V I bought a smart charger, by no means cheap (more than the battery itself !), that does support Lead Calcium batteries. If you have an old charger, mine is ancient, you probably need a newer one. If you have a smart charger you could be OK; worth checking though. My new charger works in the van, but I still removed the battery for 'safety'. If you 'lay up' your Alphie for winter, this could be relevant for you. The new smart charger can also be left connected for long periods.

Hi Starider, If you disconnect the main battery it is likely the electric windows will be an issue. I just renewed my main battery as it had, before purchase, not been maintained properly (by the dealer during Covid). From the drivers door window pad; the drivers door window was OK, the other three were not. You may need to fully open and close your windows, one at a time, from their respective door switches. Ignition on, engine running in my case. That did it for me, everything OK now with the windows. You can just reach the rear power door switches with the doors closed I have read that the moon roof can be affected too. I haven't checked mine yet. Don't want it stuck open do we ?

Hi AlphaMZ, Thanks for this. I wrote about this engine feature several months ago. I also wrote about the timing belt. My local Toyota Dealer, Snows, suggested that 1MZ FE timing belts should be renewed every ten years; independent of how many miles the vehicle has travelled in that time, or, indeed, its overall mileage. They also mentioned they often last for 150k 200k kilometres ! How they know that I am not quite sure ! Many new owners choose to renew the belt and water pump shortly after purchasing their vehicle; just in case. But it is, as you say, reassuring to know that if the belt snaps you will get stranded, but your engine won't get wrecked.

Check your rear fog lights. Many dealers replace the rear reflectors with rear fog lights. Unfortunately, most units that get fitted do not include retroreflectors. So ? You just (should) fail for a different reason. Chris.ac found some that do have reflectors, which he imported directly from japan. They're great, and also very expensive ! There is a very long thread on here regarding various members solving this issue.

Interesting about your registration document. I never received mine either, and was charged £25 to 'replace' it ! Apparently, when you don't receive it immediately they will replace it for free. If you don't, they won't. Being patient, due to Covid, didn't work. I did mention that the DVLA had disclaimers everywhere regarding their delays, due to Covid ! Not interested. I was met with a polite 'pay up or shut up ! So, if you don't receive your registration, within days, chase it .

Hello Liz, Welcome to the Forum. Ben Hau, Birmingham, will upgrade your current unit. Search on here for him. Whomever you use, ensure you get confirmation you won't lose cameras and steering wheel functions (if they matter to you) before you have the work done. Not all implementations retain these useful features. Lots to read on here. search for Head Unit or Radio replacement. Good luck

There is a VERY long thread on here on the subject of rear fog lights. Indeed, I believe it is the longest thread on here ! Not an uncommon issue, and there are several ways to overcome it. You will probably find, when you get to grips with it that the wiring is already there ! See Chris.ac threads, as he has done loads of work on this, including purchasing 'in bumper' versions with various functionality. Good Luck.

And the switch, and the wiring, and the instructions.

As AlphaMZ says, you can use Google Translate to help you. However, it will be much more useful when you get to play with your head unit. You should insist on a copy of the auction sheet. Small point, your auction sheet will record covered distance in kilometres. You do not have to, as far as I am aware, but you can change it to mph; there is a chip conversion that will achieve that. Also, on the internet you will find info on how to 'decode' the auction sheet into meaningful information once Google has translated it.

Yes, Chris, but DVLA are also after all those drivers who (deliberately) fit plates that cannot be read by speed cameras !

Hi Curious, You need an MOT before you can register the car. Getting insurance for a car with no registration number will prove difficult ! There is a thread on here somewhere from someone facing a similar challenge. I cannot remember whether they managed to find insurance or had to use a towing / trailer solution. I doubt the MOT station can be anywhere in the UK. I imagine explaining that to the Police will be tricky ! And driving around in a van without any registration plates is likely to attract their attention ! Good Luck.

DVLAA have some info on this in the section of guidance for MOT Inspectors.

Hi Ross, Welcome to the Forum. South Devon, Torbay.

Hi Charlotte, Welcome to the Forum. When does it come on ? Is it on before you start the engine? Is it on immediately after you start the engine ? When does the light do off ? What engine do you have 3.0L (V6) or 2.4L ? How long have you had the van ? How many miles/km has it covered ?

All sold, I am told !

Hello Suzie, Welcome the the Forum. Silly point, but you need to be in reverse gear for it to operate. Are you?

Thanks Chris, this great. Amayama have the steering stalk switch. My only concern, similar that of Chris is; is the control box present and the actuator. 88002 on the EPC. If that is all present my guess is that just the switch needs to be fitted. I'd take a good luck at the EPC drawings if I were you. If you do go ahead I can confirm the cruise functions performs very well.

May I recommend you buy a Owners Manual (in English, published by JPNZ) from eBay. There are VERY useful. Since, I assume, you don't have one I'll try and help you. Check your dock lock fuses. It is fuse 3 in the small fuse box in the engine bay. 30A. There is another door fuse, fuse 11, in the fuse box behind the glove box on the passenger side. 30A. Not easy to access ! But the glove box comes out easily. The immobiliser bit, I don't understand. Do you have all other electrics ? Do you have the remote, keyless, system ?

Hello Billy, Welcome to the Forum.

Take it, if you can, to Snows. Or maybe get them to visit the van. My guess is, they will repair it for you if there is no serious structural damage in the suspension area. Silly question. Is it driveable ?

I'll try and find some time for this. Chris normally asserts that the wiring in the Alphies is already in place. I have a late Gen 1 with cruise fitted as standard. So, if Chris is correct, cruise should be retrofitable. I'll do more reading on this.

Good to know. Thanks.

Hi tony, Welcome to the Forum. Hopefully you will get lots of helpful suggestions on your issue.

Sorry Starider, Perhaps it was Cuttothechase on You tube. Ldrego on this Forum. If not him, I need to do the hard work myself and remind myself who it was ! Sorry to Starider and Chris.