Rojie

2 hours ago, AlphaMZ said:

trickle charging for long periods is fine; if out on the street, buy a solar panel battery trickle charger, and do clean up, and spray those battery terminals with something like PlusGas. If you do have to change your battery, don't forget to recalibrate all your windows!

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 ?

1 hour ago, AlphaMZ said:

It's comforting to know that my 3L V6 engine is an non-interference engine, and if the inevitable ever happens to the Timing belt, and snaps, then the valve and pistons won't be harmed due to its robust design.

 

Has anyone ever had their timing belt break on this engine?

 

More Info here: http://australiancar.reviews/1MZ-FE-engine.php

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.

1 hour ago, Philip Ibbs said:

Hi, When I built a Westfield years ago I was able to get insurance from Adrian flux based on the chassis number, for that first journey to the MOT station. The MOT station did similar with the MOT certificate, then I went up to the VRO in Sheffield and once they had sorted out a registration number, I went back to the insurance and they updated documents. Not sure if that still works now?

I didn't import mine directly, I got it from Newacre Cars who were in Coventry then.

If the MOT station is any good, they should fail a direct import of the age of MOST Alphards, as they don't fit rear fog lights in Japan, which are a requirement over here. Paul McKeown at Newacre found rear fogs that exactly matched the bumper rear reflectors, and wires them in with a new switch on the lower right dashboard.

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 .

3 hours ago, Liz Coles said:

I am buying a 2006 2.4 hybrid. I need the head unit changed and possibly Apple Play.  Anyone near Bristol do this?  Recommendations please.

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

1 hour ago, AlphaMZ said:

I had the same issue this week having collected my MZ G, I found out it hadn't a fog light, and wondered how it passed it's MOT...now the 'Dudley' Trader says he'll send me the Fog Light to fit!!😬

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.

1 hour ago, AlphaMZ said:

I had the same issue this week having collected my MZ G, I found out it hadn't a fog light, and wondered how it passed it's MOT...now the 'Dudley' Trader says he'll send me the Fog Light to fit!!😬

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

4 hours ago, Alfie said:

Hi there, just wanted to check you've got a copy of the auction listing, you can use Google translate to decipher it, you can see the grade, mileage etc.

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.

7 hours ago, Chris.ac said:

rules recently changed, so what was ok last year may now not be!!, should be an amnesty really except in those extreme cases wher people are using comic sans or italics.

 

 

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

4 hours ago, Curiousgeorge said:

Hi All,

 

I have rolled the dice and bought a 2010 Alphard at auction in Japan. The company that collected it and who will also arrange the shipping said that i bought a very good van and that it was in great condition. *phew*

 

Anyways, I would be very grateful to hear the various experiences of how you imported the van and got it to your home.

 

DIY - I understand that as long as you have the van insured and proof of an MOT booked, as long as customs fees have been paid, and the van has been cleared you are allowed to drive it to the location of the MOT (this could be anywhere). Please correct me if I am wrong.

On your own drive you can do the work, get it through the MOT and then register it with the DVLA.

 

Insurance - Do you insure it for the day to just drive it back home? Or do you insure it for the year like a regular car?

 

Declaring it to HMRC - do you declare it on the day it arrives or when it is still on the boat? Is the final price of declaration the complete costs of auction sale, inland transport in Japan, and shipping?

 

Collection - Do you have to know who to communicate with at the port to check if you can pick it up? 

 

I would really appreciate any help with this as if i can save myself a few quid i would like to do so.

 

Thank you for persevering with my long post if you have got this far!

 

 

 

 

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.

23 minutes ago, Alfie said:

Hi all, just put my Alphard through its first mot after it was done by importers and it's failed on the numberplates.

Apparently they're illegal because of the lettering.

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Thanks

 

Alex

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

Hi Ross,

Welcome to the Forum.

South Devon, Torbay.

4 hours ago, Charlotte said:

The amber light for the engine on my 2003 alphard comes on and off and i dont know what it means   ....can anyone help

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 ?

19 hours ago, TC Conversions said:

I have 6 sets of grey twin seats that are in great condition although dusty that we have removed whilst doing camper conversions. Free to collect from TQ12 6DF 

 

All sold, I am told !

10 minutes ago, SusieB said:

Hi, I'm Susan. I bought my Alphard 3 weeks ago. Its a 2003 G model. 

I have a question - when I bought it the rear view parking worked, but after switching off the radio I can no longer get the rear view image on my screen  - the people I bought it from said the radio needs to be on, after switching it back on it still doesn't work! 

Does anyone have any suggestions, please?

I bought an English version of the handbook but that's no help. 

See photo of my radio / rear view screen as I know there are different ones 

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.

16 minutes ago, Phil59 said:

Thank you for your advice and kind comments. Wife is ok, thanks, just understandably upset as we were looking forward to our first trip across France and Spain next month prior to the conversion being completed in July. (Deposit paid )

I will contact my local Toyota dealer and see if they can help. Having checked with the EPC website a new painted bumper is £642 and a front fender is £224 plus shipping so not too expensive. 

 

Kind regards

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 ?

10 hours ago, starider said:

No problem, no rush,not holding out much hope! Thanks Rojie,

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.

10 hours ago, starider said:

When the rear light fuse blew and I had located the fuses,the fuse was quite difficult to pull out, but as I had a quantity of mini fuses I quickly found a replacement with the correct value, but it would not push right into place,looking at the one which had blown it was slightly different in that the blades were shorter. I had a troll through ebay and found the same short bladed fuses. I have since ordered the correct size and when next needing to replace fuses in that particular fuse box I'll change the oversize one.

So if anyone wants to carry spare fuses the Ebay number is:- 291079597267.

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.