Rojie

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264688263950?hash=item3da0a6630e:g:PMEAAOSwA9xeYjBe

This is the link that Chris.ac shared with me. It is similar to the one he has used. I haven't got one yet as I put my issue of slow warm up down to the old weather.

Sorry to hear how your first drive didn't turn out well. Please do not tell us where you bought it; although all your local Alphard / Vellfire owners would love to know and avoid. (PMs can keep this kind of info private). Perhaps the code was switched off, deleted, before you bought it. Perhaps the problem was fixed ! I have just received advice from Chris.ac on a suitable OBD2 unit. I'll try and find his post, and let you know. You are loacted quite close to Ldrego (on here) and Cuttothechase (on youtube). He has also done some work with OBD units.

G'day, Welcome to the Forum. You pose a very interesting question, for which I have no answer. I'll be very interested in the replies you receive. I can say that here in Blighty many Toyota dealers won't work on grey imports. To date, Alphards and Vellfires have not been officially imported into the UK; hence the dealership attitude. However some, such as mine, will. I will ask them if they have access to these firmware updates you refer to. My guess is they won't. There is Toyota software available, Techstream, that Toyota dealers use. Whether that contains these firmware updates, or not, needs further investigation. Techstream is available, on line, and can be downloaded.

Hi, No. I have not been 'through all this'. But I know someone that allowed their licence to lapse and were surprised to learn they had to take the test again; the enhanced version! Sorry if you thought I was preaching to you. I was merely trying to raise awareness for other members approaching 70 years young to be careful.

As you attain the grand young age of 70, you automatically lose your right (qualification) to drive any vehicle of 3500kg or more. This weight limit is gross weight , so includes anything in your vehicle, anything that you are towing, and anything in your towed vehicle. If you wish, or need to, retain your right (and this right depends on when you passed your driving test) you can. There can be some bureaucratic hoops to jump through, including a doctors note re your overall health. If you let your right lapse, I believe you can take an official test to regain your licence to drive higher weight vehicles. If in doubt how this might effect you, please refer to the DVLA website. As you approach 70 you will receive a notice from the DVLA to explain tis. Don't ignore it.

Just an afterthought. Does your vehicle have a moon roof, or sun roof, or both ?

In my opinion, New Dawn are one of the better convertors, similar to Northstar. Certainly, neither of them are new to 'the business' Just consider, a pop top is a major structural project, fitting a side conversion is a medium project and should not affect the structural integrity of the vehicle.

This doesn't surprise me, or some of our colleague members. As vehicles become ever more safe, they become ever more complex. Certainly, on my conversion, both the floor and the roof trim panel were removed. There's lots of wiring. I may remember incorrectly, I think it was Chris.as (forgive me if this is the incorrect credit), who highlighted the fact that the later models have side curtain airbags. Anything that obstructs their operation could be dangerous, and if not that, possibly something the MOT Inspectors become increasingly interested in ! If this is the case, side conversions may be affected.

I had a villa en Espana (Murcia) for 15 years but nada mas, so I know what it's like when the Heavens open !

That's where the TEMS switch would be, if you had TEMS. A electronic suspension system. The problem with these vehicles is that Japanese owners fit all sorts of bells and whistles; them remove them prior to sale ! This leaves wires from nowhere and no easy way to figure it all out. I have several loose ends in my machine. My wild guess would be some 'entertainment' system. Weird switch too ! Sorry I can't be of further help. If it bothers you too much I guess you could try and purchase a blank switch cover, remove your switch and fit the blank.

Which switch position is it located in ? Do you have any additional driving lights ?

Austops ?

Don't forget your Vellfire will probably weigh twice what your hire car did ! I am aware of the company above, and , in my opinion, they offer good vehicles. They have been quick and courteous in answering my enquiries, although I have not bought from them. Just one last point, Alphies and Vellfires are limousines, not off roaders and the lowered ones don't have much ground clearance.

I wish you luck. Most vehicle batteries take quite an extra load during the winter. Cold starts, lots of lights, etc I had a problem with one of my cars. The AA gave me the same advice, and it worked. So, to be clear, we are discussing the vehicle battery; we are not discussing the hybrid battery ? Did Northstar fit a leisure battery ? It is not unusual in a camper conversion. Did you buy the camper from Northstar ? Or another dealer ? Do you have a battery charger ? Do you have the ability, garage or drive, to charge your 12v battery overnight. It would seem that none of your three 12v batteries has been able to hold a charge. It seems to me, that your batteries must be suffering some form of constant battery drain. Are you able to visit a Kwik Fit, or another similar business, and get your battery tested ? I'll try and refer this to a couple of our members for their opinions.

That's what I have, Nov, and, I believe the 5 speed makes a big difference to fuel consumption and comfort on motorways. Good luck Stuart, there are plenty to choose from although the Gen 1 will start to become less available for import. The 10 year rule puts the Gen 2 firmly in the lead now.

Much cheaper, and easier, to buy some large bottles that will fit in the sliding doors.

What vehicle do you have ? If not a Hybrid, there should be plenty of room underneath, assuming you don't have (or are gong to have) LPG. Depending on where you intend to travel, don't overlook fully 'winterising' the tank and pipes. Heresy, I know, but try the VW guys. I expect they will have a solution !

Welcome to the Forum. Be careful, it may be the ejector seat button ! SORRY. It may be for your rear fog lights. Activate it and check. Japanese vehicles do not need rear Fog Lights; but UK vehicles do. My guess is that's what it does. Hope so.

Welcome to the Club, and this Forum. We hope you get all the info you may come to need. Much to read during these wintery evenings !

Hi Debbie, Welcome to the Forum. Many, if not most, of Alphie owners will understand your concern. It's known as Post Purchase Dissonance. Most of us get it. However, you have come to the right place to get informed opinion and advice. I am confident some of the members will be able to offer useful advice. I am not a Hybrid owner, but am left thinking "What is the Warranty on the new battery". I am not sure which battery you are having trouble with? I am assuming the Hybrid battery. If it is your (normal) 12V battery to power the car, and start it, make sure you are turning everything off when parking the vehicle. Make sure the room lights are off, etc. With the cold weather we have been having recently, it could be true you are not running the vehicle enough to keep the (normal) battery sufficiently charged so, go for a medium run, or get your battery fully charged. These are simple things; but should be checked before more complicated alternatives are pursued. Regarding your dealer. Go for a long run, several if necessary, and keep returning to them, if the problem persists, before your warranty runs out. Let us all know how you get on.

Hi Stuart, Like all things, It's a matter of risk versus pocket ! I have a converted late Gen 1, but I believe the cost of conversion is much the same independent of Gen; albeit not the cost of the base vehicle. As Charlie, and others, say, some of the later models are not quite as simple to convert. Depending on your conversion, rear or side, you do not have to pay £15k; especially if you forgo a pop top. As ever, quality of conversion tends to significantly impact cost. Convertors need to make a profit and, the dreaded, VAT has to be paid. The 2008 and later models are becoming more common now. They have more gears and I assume more efficient engines, resulting in better fuel economy. Some owners convert to supplementary LPG, but availability of gas (currently) can be an issue in some parts of the UK. There are plenty of variables to consider as all current owners have done. Shop around at the experienced dealers / importers. Due to the increasing popularity of these vehicles there is, in my opinion, an increasing number of opportunist sellers who may not have a satisfactory track record with Alphies, especially the later models. As you have already realised owning a converted Alphie is not cheap; but then nor is a VW California ! What we Alphie owners can assure you is you won't be disappointed. There are not many MPV limousines available at affordable prices. Good Luck, let us all know how you progress,

Oh well. There are other suppliers, I'm sure, but they may be all made by the same company. There are some universal swivels. I would be very careful, and precise, with your measurements if you go down that route. Pay attention to where all the mounting holes are, and necessary mounting brackets etc. As other members have pointed out, you need to be clear about what height will be added to the seat; especially if your passenger is quite tall. Are you aware you will also need to remove the centre console and provide a cover for your 100v invertor

Hi Phil, If your Alphie is Gen 1, as 2007 would suggest, you should have a wiper arm in the middle of the lower edge of the rear window.

Any news for us all on the Maintenance Manual from JPNZ ?