Rojie

Are you sure you have cameras ? I expect you do. The lenses are just under the Alphard emblem on the front. It helps if you clean the camera lenses VERY gently. I'm stumped for a moment ! I leave mine on all the time; but they only work between zero and (say) 5 mph. On the screen, there is an area in the lower right hand corner of the touch screen to toggle between the 2 camera (left and right) view and the three camera view (front bumper too). I need to go out to my Van. I believe there is also a steering wheel control button. (rhs). Yes. I just started the engine, engage D, press the steering wheel button and the views should come on. On the screen, there is an area in the lower right hand corner of the touch screen to toggle between the 2 camera (left and right) view and the three camera view (front bumper). As I say, I leave mine on so had forgotten how to use it. It is fantastic for 'Peep and Creep' at blind junctions. Good Luck

Are you aware of Ben Hau and the upgrade he is able to install ? Take a look at YouTube Ben Hau. He posted very recently, albeit for a later model Alphie, but you could contact him. He is on this forum too. About £400 for an all bells and whistles upgrade, or he can do new head unit installs. Hopefully, someone has achieved what you need and will respond.

It is an input to the head unit DVD, but it should take a stereo feed. I am not sure what you are trying to do, so just suggested this as a 'consideration'. You should also be able to pair your phone to the head unit. I was going to input a stereo/video signal, but, in the end, bought another PC for the van for TV, Radio and communications when not on the move. I need to look at my MD unit !

Thanks for this Nov. I am waiting to hear from the Owner, hopefully very soon. Otherwise, I'll write to his personal email. Not the PM system on here, but his actual email.

So are the holes existing, or have you drilled and tapped ? I don't need a roof rack, but it is a common question to the Forum. It certainly looks extremely neat. Thanks for sharing it.

Hi again Starider, It may be Google, but I am using Chrome and not getting the ads ! I am checking with the Forum Owner.

Hi Nov, I am unaware that this action has been taken by the Forum, and I am trying to confirm or otherwise. Perversely, not all viewers are 'seeing' these ads.

Do you have a VTR input on the rear of the centre console ? Adjacent to the 100v outlet.

Hello Tartan, Welcome to the Forum. Lots to read, lots to learn. Happy days.

Hi Starider, I am not an expert on Alphies, let alone Google ! I think you may need to tune your Google Chrome settings to disallow Pop Ups and Redirects. I have mine PC set up to block. My guess is yours is set up to allow ! Instructions on how to do this are on line. I searched for How to block ads in Google. Good Luck. If you can't figure this out drop me a PM and I'll see what I can do to help you.

I am sure it must be extremely annoying. Do you run Ad Blocker ? As Catweazle states, it is free. Please try it if you can, and let us know if it makes any difference. Presumably, you get ads when browsing sites other than this Forum ?

Try searching Google for location of engine number on Toyota 1MZ FE engine. It brings up several locations including, probably, the location on US made engines. It should follow that it is somewhere visible when installed in the van, otherwise there isn't much point. Try half way down rhs of block looking at front of engine.

OK, thanks.

Hello Nick, Welcome to the Forum. Yes, try not to use the foot operated parking brake as a clutch !

Just a point to raise regarding not disconnecting the battery and messing with the steering wheel. Not on my Alphie, but on another rather upmarket car I have, my specialist mechanic will always disconnect the battery, "as it it not much fun if the if the airbag triggers". May not be necessary on an Alphie, but.....

I have informed the Owner to take a look at this. I run Ad Blocker so, as Catweazle says, that may be why I cannot see any of them. The only problem I have ever found with Ad Blocker is if you try to read the Newspapers. Which I do of late. Many newspapers now raise revenue through advertising so are not too happy when folks like Catweazle and I prevent the ads appearing .

Thanks for this Catweazle. As I said, I am not seeing any ! I do use Google as my maim browser, but I don't see any ads when I enter the Forum. Odd. I'll drop the owner a line and ask him if he can investigate.

Ben Hau appears to be able to offer an 11 inch head unit for the Series 20. Please search YouTube if you have an interest.

What adverts ? I have not seen any recently. Adverts, and the self promotion of a your own business, are not allowed. Part of my role as Moderator is to monitor this Forum site. I can take action against advertisers, and have done in the past. Normally a warning, then further appropriate action if needed. Any persons wishing to promote their own business can apply for a Trade Account. To do this application will need to be made to Alphard Club by sending a PM to that person. However, as a main purpose of the Forum is self help, and helping other members, recommendations are allowed. These need to be sensible and focus on the service, or product, provided; and not the business itself. I prefer not to see addresses and phone numbers as any member who wishes to make contact can easily find the necessary info themselves on the internet. I believe, and I know the Owner does, that this site is far the better for not allowing the membership to be bombarded with Advertising, Spam, Marketing, or whatever other nuisance we could all suffer. Finally, I must add it is very rare that adverts appear. Should any member feel uncomfortable with threads and/or content, please contact myself Rojie, MonsterS or Alphard Club, and we will take any necessary action to preserve the integrity of this Club.

Hello Alpha, Chris is correct, I think. The chassis number is on the B pillar at the front waist high. The engine number is not on that plate, unfortunately !

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.