starider

PS. TOOLSTATION product code 17423. Forgot to say you will need a cigarette lighter plug to fit instead of the crocodile clips provided. A Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year to all Alphardians!

Hi, as your Alphard is a camper. the answer could be what I use,we have a camper conversion which has a 12volt hook up point and a 12v cigarette lighter socket.The socket and the cigarette socket can be used to charge each battery in turn using either socket with a 12v trickle charger[mine were purchased from Toolstation].These can be left on and once the batteries are charged will trickle charge as and when. If you have a 230volt hook up you can use that to charge the leisure battery via the 12v socket I can only speak from my experience as I have,besides the camper,2 tractors,a Quad bike a lawn mower and shredder, each connected to one of these chargers and I haven't had a flat battery since using this method.I am now going to run leads via fuses from the main battery to an extra lighter socket in the dashboard area for trickle charging the main battery. Hope this helps and your time in hospital was successful.

Hi,There has recently be quite a discussion on this very subject.If you look through posts in the last couple of weeks under the same headings as yourself[including my comments], you may find some help.

I recently posted details and pictures of the stainless steel exhaust I had fitted by a National chain of "agents" called Powerflow the work was beautifully done with all components in stainless steel.Have a look at the picture my wife took.I have been in and around the motor trade and eventually became a Secondary School teacher teaching 11 to 18 year olds Technology and Motor Vehicle Studies for many years. I been involved with motor vehicles for over 60years and now spend my retirement restoring classic cars[very slowly now a days].

Sorry forgot to ask, have you got a copy of the driver/owner hand book.In English and very informative, especially when looking for fuses! Look on forum for where to buy from.

Hi, recently had a similar problem.Towed our caravan back from Cornwall, the engine light came on, stopped for a few minutes started up light went out and stayed out until I had to put more power on an incline on the A30, light came on.Same problem as before so a careful drive home,no more light, but notice fuel consumption had increased. Used the Alphard solo a few times after and same problem. Asked around and read Hand book which suggested oxygen/fuel ratio sensor may need replacing. Replaced it, the one before the 2nd Cat,much better, but still came on on occasions. Then the wife noticed a rattle from the exhaust, onto the 4 poster and found a rattle from the 2nd Cat.which sounded like the internals had disintegrated.Had a complete S/S exhaust fitted[Described and as shown in my recent post]. Couldn't fit a new after Cat sensor, as the new one I received had a wiring harness that was too short. When I get time I'll take off the old one and splice the old wiring onto the new wiring. What I have found out since is that the 02-08 Alphards have 2 cats.One as part of the exhaust manifold,and one 1/3 of the distance from the front,this is because of the very strict polution laws in Japan. Hope this helps.

Just a reminder about fitting a flush fitted rear fog[s],some tow bars fit very close behind the rear valance/bumper,leaving little or no room for the light/s

Following the info regarding getting a price drop with a code,the deal has since been removed, sorry!!

Following help from doctor_car I have obtained the NGK number for Iridium plugs. Which is NGK 3764. Find them on ebay 31501576632. Use the code given and price drops by £15. This info was given to me by doctor_car who spent several messages to find me the info. needed.The seller lists these plugs for a Ford but x reference for the Alphard.

Forgot to say the small silencer before the main one was fitted to give a quieter exhaust note at my wife's request!!!

Hi Neville, apparently to comply with Japanese emissions regulations, this model Alphard has 2 cats. one is combined with the exhaust manifold and there is a secondary one in the exhaust pipe work, part the way from front with a sensor just after the cat. and yes the secondary cat was in with the price. Good value and excellent workmanship.

Secondly to the above post, it would appear that the internal collapse of the Cat. had been causing the engine light coming on and the increase in fuel consumption. Driving home, the engine response and the general response was really noticeable [plus no engine warning light] and no rattle.

Hi, Just collected our 2007 Alphard from having a new complete stainless steel exhaust fitted. An amazing piece of work,my wife and I were invited under the lift to examine the finished job.It may seem unusual to wax lyrical about something that is rarely seen,but as a trained motor engineer and having fitted numerous exhaust systems,this one literally took my breath away.It had been perfectly manufactured and fitted accurately down the underside ,all the various contours fitted to perfection. I elected to have a polished tail pipe and of course the whole length[including a new S/S Cat.] was stainless steel, all the clamps and new brackets were S/S. The sensor boss was also S/S but unfortunately the new sensor I supplied had wiring which was not long enough,so they had fitted the original until I can lengthen the wiring. The cost was £1000 + the usual. Considering the cost of a genuine exhaust at almost double, this is a very good price and should out last the rest of the vehicle. I expect they are able to supply this type of exhaust for Alphards. The exhaust was fitted in Tavistock by the national chain POWERFLOW. There must be one near you somewhere in the UK.

Hi, 4 plugs. Plenty for sale on ebay,buy a good make i.e. Bosch.

Hi, It sounds like it could be a front wheel bearing/CV joint needs replacing. It could be an intermittant misfire from the engine. a loose wheel/ damaged tyre. It certainly suggests something around the wheel/transmission/drive shaft area.

I suppose one idea would be to disconnect the whole"unit"and see if every thing still works.If every thing is still OK, I would take it off the battery and put in your shed!!!

Hi, Is your Alphard a camper conversion,if so it could be for charging the leisure battery. Perhaps someone will confirm this.

Hi,if you look back through the Camper posts, you will find my detailed photographs and how I fitted a rail onto my 2007. I also give the company who supplied me with the rail. starider.

Hi Lee, As I said these S/S bespoke exhaust "builders" are franchises from a national company and have heard good reports on the quality of product and workmanship. I'll ask my wife to find the name of the main company. We live a few miles out of Holsworthy where there is an outlet[the one which is closed for 6 weeks]. The one we have booked is about 25miles away in Tavistock. When we deliver the Alphard I'll get as much info. as is useful and report back when work is completed.

Thanks Roger, Have done. regards Tony PS Have just posted about the sliding door.

Bit of a disaster,someone tried to open the sliding door this week by wrenching on the handle before my wife could explain it was electric.The door worked OK for a couple of times then would only part way and eventually became impossible to move either way. Luckily there was a mechanic on hand to at least close the door for travel and we have to clamber over the front seats to get "stuff" from the rear. Before the door was persuaded to close I noticed on the centre slider, a thin metal cable which went round a bracket which disappeared each end of the the door. I assume the internals of the door contain mechanisms[i.e.electric motor which winds the cable too and fro to open and close the door. I have no real desire to have an electric side door if this is likely to happen again. The cable connecting point to the door appears to be via a bracket bolted to the central door slider, by 2 x 10mm bolts.I will then cut the cable front and rear and either pull out or push in the cable. Any comments please either with horror or other comments!!

Hi Lee, reg number:- F8 TCM 2007. {need to find how to send pm].

Hi Lee, Thanks for your help,I purchased the correct sensor and everything then worked fine,until I used the kick down at which point the engine light came on. Stopped for a few minutes started again engine light went out and remained out until once again I asked for extra power, light came on. Within the last three days went upto a caravan dealers near Burnham on Sea. Towed all the way there and towed new caravan back and managed to drive without asking for extra power,no light at all. The Alphard has developed a rattle in the exhaust system which seems to be coming from the Cat. The whole system looks rather delicate so I am looking to replace the lot.Any ideas where I might get a reasonable deal? Many thanks, Tony.

Hi Lee, Hope you're feeling better! Have ordered the Fuel Ratio Sensor. Thanks for the help. Regards. Tony.

Hi Lee, any luck with finding the correct front Lampda sensor for my 2007 Alphard?