Rojie

Welcome to the Forum. Welcome, almost, to Alphard ownership.

This rnovie does not run on my PC. I can only agree that binding brakes cannot help your situation.

Nor me.

Hello John, Welcome to the Forum. Have you checked to ensure the correct 'wattage' fitted ?

I haven't either. I had assumed it was/is a Japanese conversion.

Many people confuse the Congestion Charge and ULEZ. The Congestion Charge only applies to Inner London. The ULEZ area is much more widespread.

Hello Gideon, Welcome to the Forum. You need to make some phone calls. There is a long thread on Insurance on this Forum. Use the search box, or go the the list of Forums. Check it out. Alphard is frequently NOT in dropdowns, so try phoning. I would not insure an Alphard as a Vellfire although they are almost the same vehicle. There is no point, whatsoever, in providing an insurance company with an excuse not to pay a claim.

The company was Direct Line.

Is the vehicle already in the UK ? Has it been registered by the DVLA. If so, type the registration number into Transport for London (TfL). That should tell you. I think, as it is post Sept 2005, it should be ULEZ; whether it is recognised as such is another matter,

Hello Nicola, Welcome to the Forum.

Hello Liz, Welcome to the Forum.

I think "calling" an Alphard a Vellfire could be rather tricky; even though they are almost the same vehicle. It could be seen as misrepresentation, or even fraud. Surely not worth the gamble with any Insurance Company. Shop around, say goodbye to Direct Line; there are many companies that will insure Alphards. As you say, dropdowns can be useless; use the phone. Good Luck.

Hello Paul, Is the Forum letting them advertise ? I was not aware that they have a Trade Account. I'll look into it. As far as I am aware, many of the map / carpet suppliers only supply in sets. As an aside, I have a set of mats, but not from Odyssey, fitted in my conversion. I use the extra mats as liners in the lockers.

Do you mean Odyssey, in Bournemouth ? Why not buy a whole set then, they aren't expensive !

Try Martin Sweeney

By cold air, do you mean ambient air, or chilled air obviously cooled by the air con unit. Have you tried switching the air off, so you can test for chilled air or ambient air. I recall something about a flap valve. I'll try and find it for you.

This site that Lee recommends is VERY helpful for all Gen 1 owners, especially those with the HDD headunit.

Hello again, I checked with DVLA as I was sure I was correct. I wasn't. I apologise. The right to retain an unassigned number lasts for 10 years, then the entitlement needs to be renewed. If it isn't renewed, the entitlement lapses. If it is renewed, entitlement remains for another 10 years. The rules must have changed, as I do distinctly remember having to renew each year as I did not assign my plate immediately. I guess DVLA became tired of so much unnecessary paperwork.

Congratulations on your new plate. I have one, but not on my Alphie. Just two additional points If an owner decides to retain a personal plate for several years they will have to pay a retention fee each year, or their entitlement to the plate will lapse ! Also, you cannot fit a plate to a vehicle where the age of the plate is less than the age of the vehicle (hence making the vehicle appear younger than it actually is). This point is rather Important, as there is little point in buying a plate, especially an expensive one, if you will never be able to assign it to your vehicle. Subsequent vehicles, maybe, but not your current one. So check before you buy. When you come to sell your vehicle, there will be more fees if you wish to continue to retain entitlement to the plate. The original registration will be reassigned to the vehicle for a fee ! Happy Days

It could be an override switch to allow you to watch DVDs / TV while on the move. Some Japanese owners fit them. As a rule the DVD video will not function if the parking brake is applied. Other than that, it have been for any aftermarket gadget the Japanese owners may have had. Mine had a pay as go entertainment system that was removed before auction. I believe it is illegal in the UK for the driver or front passenger to be able to view video while the vehicle is in motion.

I read every thread, and do not recall ever having read one about heavy steering. I have read about worn rack bushes though. If a new battery does not solve the issue, send picasso a PM

Hello Stuart, Welcome to the Forum. I wish I had a pound for every time I have advised members to ensure their 12v starter battery remains fully charged at all times. Keep your 'old battery' as a spare and keep in under trickle charge

Yes you can charge without disconnection, although it is better to disconnect. Ensure Ignition is OFF. Whichever you do; make ABSOLUTELY sure you do not make any reverse polarity connections; even for a moment. If you do, the main 100A (or so) fuse will blow. Not good news ! After you have disconnected your battery a few times, you will soon getting the hang off resetting the windows.

Perhaps garages do know how to adjust the blades, but prefer to sell you a new pair. Perhaps me just being cynical !

Please add the balance of the missing info Sal. I really don't want to delete your advert.