Rojie

1 hour ago, drahpla said:

I believe the head unit and DSP are still highly valued in Japan, but I don't speak Japanese and am not sure anyone in Japan would by second hand electrical goods shipped by a foreigner that doesn't speak Japanese. However if anyone knows a route to market then I'd be interested in hearing about it.

There is a Japanese auction site, is it Yahoo ?

Or a listing on one of the JDM websites ?

On 5/13/2022 at 2:39 PM, Pritch said:

20220513_133134.heic 668.84 kB · 14 downloads 20220513_133118.heic 550.07 kB · 8 downloads

 

Hope this helps (sent via moby, in a field in Cheshire)...

These won't open without the correct apps/drivers.

On 5/7/2019 at 7:21 AM, Patrick said:

Help please.  What do you do to make the bed comfortable when seats are down to fill in the ridges?  Many thanks Patrick

The frivolous answer is more Guinness !

2 hours ago, kendo said:

Hi , yes I have remote locks and the buttons all seem ok.   Thanks for the reply, Ken.

I'm not sure I can help you with this, but I'll try.

Reading what Chris says (above) reminded me that I have a similar problem on one of my cars, not my Alphie.

The remote buttons can be rather temperamental, especially the lock button.

My tendency is to repeatedly press the lock button.

The car responds to this as a command to open all the windows !

I now have the habit of checking as I walk away; mainly because, more than once, I have returned (in the rain) to find all the windows open. Not funny.

I have spare remote which I need to start using !!

When I asked about remote locking; I asked the wrong question !

The right question was, do you have smart locks ?

I am reading my copy of the Owners Manual (published by JPNZ, £25 on ebay).

Hopefully you have two sets of Smart keys.

Change the battery in both, but not at the same time.

There are key linked window functions associated with keys.

I am assuming you don't use the manual key to lock / unlock the vehicle.

Supposedly, the remote keys need a 3 second press to operate the windows.

So my conclusion is either you have a key misfunction, hence changing batteries and trying both keys.

Maybe the buttons are not making clean, jitter free, connections.

Or of course, a glitch in the receive side. I won't pretend to even try to help in that case.

Oddly enough, the Owners Manual does not mention that the Smart fob does, or does not, operate the key linked window functions.

My guess is it does, so maybe more batteries will be needed !.

I sincerely hope at least some of this helps; otherwise you must remember to check as I do with my other car; or possibly buy a new key.

2 hours ago, Mathew said:

Hi all, I am a soon to be 2010 Velfire owner, I am trying to get a head unit ready to fit once I get the car in a few weeks, I want wireless apple carplay, DAB, and to work with the existing steering wheel controls and reverse camera. I cannot find information on patch cables (if required for AH20) and other required parts to make it all work. can anyone help? I want to fit myself as funds are tight. I have looked at Pioneer and Sony units so far, although the chineese units look great im concerned about reliability so steering clear. I have attached the current stereo fitted.

Hello Matthew,

Welcome to the Forum

On 1/31/2021 at 8:59 PM, Dangermouse said:

Hi All

 

Where do you store the mattress? 4 inces of foam in a double bed must take up a lot of volume in the back?

I have a folding mattress which, when folded double, fits exactly under the table of my rear conversion.

I'm looking for another, or will have some made.

Hello Stephen,

Welcome to the  Forum.

Silly question. Are you sure you have sensors ? OK, you do.

They are called Clearance Sonor in the Alphard. There is a little 'legend' in the face panel.

Not all Alphards have the option.

The Clearance Sonor and Back Sonor have nothing to do with the reversing camera. 

The Clearance Sonor distances, front corners and rear corners, page 141 et al, are settable via the head unit. (Oh what fun!)

Their is a Back Sonor, as well, which only works when in reverse from 1.5m.

They do not give an increasingly rapid bleep. You get Long beep, Short beeps and Continuous.

Depending on the setting, by the time your Japanese host speaks to you, you are too close !

All new owners tend to get quite acquainted with their Japanese lady host quite soon.

The reversing camera is just that. It is not connected to the Clearance Sonor systems.

The constant beeping is the reversing warning, unless you are already too close !

You need to buy the Owners Manual, pubished by JPNZ on ebay. £25.

There are two for your year. One includes Hybrid (FRO 3035) the other does not.

Hope this helps until you buy the Owners Manual.

IF you are able to locate a friendly Toyota dealer that is interested in your grey import they will contact Toyota Japan and check on the recall status.

The good news is that in the unlikely case that there are outstanding recalls Toyota UK will request authority to do the work.

If granted, Toyota Japan will fund it.

I have a VERY vague recollection that part of the export process checks for outstanding recalls; but I can't be sure though.

If you want to check yourself in case of doubt try

https://www.toyota.co.jp/recall-search/dc/search

Google should translate it !

58 minutes ago, kendo said:

HI All.    Occasionally when returning to my car after being parked, I find the doors still locked, but all of the windows fully open.   Anybody got an idea why this happens ?

Ken

Hi Ken,

Have you got wireless remote locks ?

1 hour ago, Shepsterboy123 said:

Hi,

 

I am looking at buying a 2006 Alphard and have been asking questions of the seller - the seller is a garage who imported the vehicle but they are not specialist importers i.e. they have a range of non import / import cars. 

 

I asked what grade the car was at auction and was told 4b. i have since purchased the CarVX report and is says grade 3.5. The mileage all adds up as per the advertised amount and what is on the Car VX report. the only other thing is it mentions a problem with the manufacturer recall - but doesn't say what and I can see three entries in the manufacturers recall section. 

 

How concerned should i be that the dealer has told me the wrong info? 

thanks

Hello Shepster,

Welcome to the Forum.

Ask for a copy of the Auction Report.

Any reputable dealer will have it and provide you with a copy.

They do need some interpretation but help is available on the internet.

As Alphards and Vellfires are becoming so popular there are many 'new' dealers entering the market.

If your dealer does not offer full (reasonable) disclosure; go elsewhere.

There is a core of very experienced, and reputable, dealers in the UK; try to be patient and buy a good example.

I would strongly recommend you get a copy of the English Owners Manual published by JPNZ.

£25 on ebay.

You will not be disappointed.

New ownership is 'quite exciting'; manuals (where they exist) will be in Japanese !

Many Toyota dealers will not work on grey imports.

Some hurdles can be quite a challenge; you don't need your seller to be one of them.

41 minutes ago, Michael2468 said:

Hi. New to the group. Just about to purchase my first camper this week and opting for the Alphard Hard Top. The dealer has lots to choose from so my question is, 2.4L or 3.0L. Also 2WD or 4WD. From what I’ve managed to find, there’s not a massive difference MPG wise so just the power thing. Thanks for any info. Mike.

- PS - Reason for hard top over pop top is wife preferred the more fixed solution for the 3rd berth plus the storage cupboards at front in Hard Top. 

hi Michael,

Welcome to the Forum.

Hard top ? Do you mean High Top ?

Main issue with Hard Tops, which are quite rare, is the restricted access to many car parks.

Enjoy your advanturing in your Campard.

2 hours ago, GSM said:

Hi I’m new to Alphards. We bought ours 3 months ago. The ABS brake light is on permanently . We took it to our local garage . They could not diagnose problem,  due it it being an import. We live in Huntingdon.  Any recommendations for a Alpahard Garages in the Cambridgeshire area. 

Hello GSM,

Welcome to the Forum.

I am sure you will receive some very useful suggestions from fellow members.

Check tyre pressures, tyres all have similar wear, all all the same type; and many others.

However, I did want to point out that although many Toyota Official dealers will not work on Grey Import vehicles; some will.

It is worth checking whether you local Toyota Dealer is one of them; just as a backstop.

Good luck

13 minutes ago, Shaggy said:

Hello there just bought a 2004 alphard hybrid. Very nice to drive. I will be doing the maintenance on it  myself. I was hoping to clean out the cooling fan for the batteries if anybody could advise as to it's location? Thanks.

Hello Shaggy,

Welcome to the Forum.

46 minutes ago, EaglEye said:

 

It helps that I can read Japanese

😜😋😜😋

You can be certain of one thing; next time I need a translation .....

7 minutes ago, EaglEye said:

 

Ok

I found what it was

It's an 'Automatic High-beam System'

 

😝 😝 😝

These are the drawings I found !

But didn't have the mrs. phone to translate.

Well done for finding it.

1 minute ago, Rojie said:

 

My guess is, my guess is wrong !

 

I found it on an obscure EPC drawing, but there is no description. 

I am left wondering whether it is a sensor/camera for the pre collision system ?

I believe the PCS are rare, if that is what it is !

There is no mention of an auto dimming mirror in my Owners Manual, which is for the earlier Gen 1 models.

I also assume that any auto dimming mirror will need a 12 volt feed, so you will need to wire that into the headlining

12 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

I'll take a look at the EPC.

 

Does the camera/sensor appear to be an OEM fit ? Professional ?

Or does it appear as an aftermarket part.

 

My guess it is a dashcam.

My guess is, my guess is wrong !

I found it an an obscure EPC drawing, but there is no description.

I am left wondering whether it is a sensor/camera for the pre collision system ?

I believe the PCS are rare, if that is what it is !

2 hours ago, EaglEye said:

It *may* be, but I can't be certain.. 

The one with the sensor thingy is from a 2012 3.5 GGH20W

The one without is from 2013 2.4 ANH20W

I'll take a look at the EPC.

Does the camera/sensor appear to be an OEM fit ? Professional ?

Or does it appear as an aftermarket part.

My guess it is a dashcam.

21 minutes ago, EaglEye said:

Hi guys~~

I'm looking to get an auto-dimming rear view mirror..

and came across different ones..

 

One with what looks like a sensor on the back of the mirror (or a camera??), and one without..

 

Can anyone tell me what is actually is please??

 

Thanks~

On 3/31/2022 at 4:51 PM, Chris.ac said:

https://pivotjp.com/product/3da/3da-t.html

(open link in chrome and it will auto translate to english)

 

I see this device, can be purchased for about £150.

 

From what I understand from the manuals, this device sits between the regular cruise control and the ecu, it can use the existing control stalk to control it, and allows you to set the cruise control up to 86mph.

 

It also incorporates a throttle response controller to set how 'eco' or 'sporty' your throttle is under foot.

 

Its quite expensive, but if people are looking for a way to partially unlock the cruise control speed limiter (68mph - 118kph as standard) AND add a means to tune their throttle response, this may be a good compromise, rather than going the hacked ecu route!

 

Anyone have any thoughts or experience? this is a toyota specific model, which means plug and play, I can see wiring harnesses listed for 10 and 20 series vehicles.

 

 

Hi Chris,

I just checked the vehicle lists, missed them before, and the Series 10 does not seem to be listed in the harness lists.

2 hours ago, TommyTinsel said:

I'm looking for a set of seat rails to explore a thought.

 

I don't want to risk cutting up the ones I have in the van. Rails from the rear of a 7 or an 8 seater 2002 to 2007 Would work. 

 

Has anyone got anything ? Happy to pay and collect if localish to Bath or could arrange courier and a payment into a bank account if further afield. 

 

Thanks 

Hello Tommy,

Welcome to the Forum.

The seat rails in the 7 and 8 seaters are different.

Most are the same.

I'll PM you.

Oddcouple may have some.

2 hours ago, drahpla said:

I do actually have a front camera, but it was part of an extensive aftermarket Japanese audio system, which I've removed. I've yet to either a; find the camera wire, b; install the new head unit I've bought, or c; figure out how I might make the front camera work with the headunit once I do install it. On the old system it had a switch that could bring the front camera in at any time.

Please share with us the make and model of your new head unit.

13 minutes ago, drahpla said:

Having only front corner parking sensors and relying on that bizarre little mirror thingy to see if you're going to hit something at the front seems, well, a bit silly!  Is it possible to get proper sensor coverage at the front by buying 2 more sensors, mounting them either side of the number plate, and wiring them in parallel with the others?

I assume you do not have the option with the three front cameras

Because  if you do, that and the front sonar should be adequate, but only adequate.

Should be able to get a set from Halfords, or similar.

Whether you can buy two more sensors and wire them in parallel ?

If you go that route that us all know how you progress.

Good luck.

13 hours ago, Chris.ac said:

a novel solution, well done.

I want to go one step further, have an external connector in the front grill, that I can plug into, even better if I can modify the alphard logo to flip up, use a standard EV charging socket.

 

Then, you could sneakily park in EV spots and plug in ( obviously it would not actually be a live connection from the EV charger to your car). have some animated red light near the charging socket to fool the casual observer that you are actually charging.

A sneaky EV sticker on the back (Easily purchasable) and bobs your uncle, an actual external socket you can use to jumpstart or trickle charge, plus the ability to use larger parking spots if not scrutinised too closely!!!!!

 

WHat do you think!!

Hi Chris,

Do EV chargers charge at 12v ?

All my machines are petrol, so I would not know yet.

3 hours ago, OldWellhouse said:

Seeing the mentioned issues with the gas struts on tailgates I'd be cautious. Maybe it's possible to get more heavy duty struts though, they seem relatively cheap on Ali Express. 

Be cautious with rear struts from AliExpress; especially if you are increasing the load they have to lift.

I bought some for my MZ G Edition, electric tailgate.

The ones I bought, knowingly were Gen 2; I have a Gen 1 !

They didn't fit. My fault.

I will say they looked fit for purpose, and other members have fitted them successfully.

There is a large letter printed on the OEM parts.

That is the type number, be careful you get the correct one.

OEM ones are expensive.

There is a UK company that I started to work with, but I decided not to continue.

I think there are back boxes that fit on a tow bar, if you have one.

I would not try to fit a back box to the actual tailgate, but that is just me being cautious.

Good Luck