starider

Hi, has anyone fitted Cruise control to their Alphard? If so where did they get the kit from?

Hi Chris, thanks for the info, but I've already wired in the socket and the trailer lights all work fine.

Belay the request for a filter supplier, our motor factor ran one over from Barnstaple. If anyone is interested the one supplied was a purflux cabin filter AHC210 and fitted easily.

Hi, I agree the glovebox and trim are easily removed and replaced, but easy access to the fuses is greatly impared by the mass of wiring which crosses under the fuses,this is so bulky and inflexible that you can't move it aside,the little plastic removing tool is totally inadequate and impossible to use and the fuses having been undisturbed since manufacture, are extremely difficult to pull out,Lets hope we all do not have to change fuses. I certainly made sure which fuse I needed to remove, the diagrams of each numbered fuse it's location, it's value and which circuit it protects,are excellent in the Owners Handbook. One bonus with having to remove the glovebox was that I was able to inspect the Aircon filter on the fan, which was absolutely filthy and certainly needs replacing. If anyone knows of a supplier I would appreciate details.

The manual certainly shows the location of the various fuse boxes and the description of each location, but the sketches are very small and not cleary shown hence the time taken to even see the fuses. The two in the engine compartment are pretty standard and easily seen and checked, but both the ones in the cabin are difficult to find and even more difficult to see clearly, trim must be removed on both the one adjacent to the drivers seat and the one adjacent to the passenger seat. If I hadn't had the Owners Manual I would not of even found the two up under the dash let alone been able to see into them without a mirror. If anyone needs to replace the rear side light fuse,once you have found the rows of fuses you need to change fuse number 13.

At last managed to wire in the caravan/trailer socket. Firstly I worked out how to remove the rear light clusters, as the drivers hand book says:- the two hex.head self tapping bolts need to be removed[down the inner edge of the cluster],there is an open ended clip moulded into the plastic red part of the lens which when the lens is refitted, slides over a mushroom shaped clip on the bodywork to retain the rear of the lens. Pulling the lens rearward is a bit of a struggle but I overcame this by covering the blade off a large-ish flat screwdriver with the blade covered with cloth to prevent damage to the paintwork, then halfway between the top and bottom edge of the red part of the light cluster,very very carefully prised the cluster back and off. When I replaced the clusters I smeared Petroleum jelly around the clip to aid future removal. Make sure when the cluster is pushed back on: the peg on the bottom edge locates in its hole and the clip slides under the mushroom clip. It sound a little complicated, but once you see how it all works there should be no problem. A tip! if like I did you accidentally blow a fuse[in my case the sidelight circuit] be prepared for a major hunt for the fuse box! It took several hours of head scratching to locate the fuses I needed[There are 4 fuse boxes]. When I eventually found the correct f/box, my relief was short lived as it required the removal of the glovebox,the panel that used to hold a flare! I eventually managed ,using a mirror and moving huge bundles of wires to one side and some long nosed pliers to remove fuse 13 and replace it. The little plastic fuse remover supplied is pretty useless as it will not grip the mini fuses adequately. At least all is done and works as it should. Another tip, if you didn't know, all the light bulbs,sides,indicators,brake, are large CAPLESS.

Is'nt it amazing how one topic stirs up a lot of interest and comment,it only goes to show how useful, interesting and informative these club forums are for owners. Keep up the good work!!

Hi, I agree with Rojie, I'm afraid you will only know for certain if the lens is reflective is if you purchase one/pair. As I mentioned in a previous post, the reflector in the replacement rear lamp assembly I got for our Connect van has a reflector behind the red outer lens, but when a headlamp lights up the rear of the van, the fog lamp lens just looks red no bright reflected light at all. It would be great if you do take the plunge and they do reflect, it would remove all the speculation.

Hi, my wife has been researching the various awnings and her research seems to point to the Cayman Low having one of the best reviews We are going to have a chat with our converter in Barnstaple re the awning rail and perhaps getting them to fit a rail, unless they recommend the magnetic option. We're quite used to awnings from the many years of towing caravans, which of course had built in awning rails, . When we owned our VW Camper we bought a drive away awning for it, but it was never used before we sold the VW in favour of the Ford Freda.

Hi Rojie, been trying to find any firm recommendations or definitive comments on "inflatable drive away awnings". We are looking at the Outdoor Revolution Cayman Low. My main concern is the fitting of the awning rail, either a permenant or magnetic rail, any ideas or comments please. Thanks.

Brilliant, thanks for that will have a go on Saturday.

If you need to replace any of the rear light bulbs, the rear light assembly needs to be taken off ,which should be a reasonably easy job. As the operation is mentioned in the drivers handbook,it seems to describe a simple bulb replacement, so will have another look.

Hi Rojie, will print rest off tomorrow as the printer has just jammed! According to the drivers handbook, to rmove the rear light assembly the two screws need to be removed and the whole assembly pulls out,tried this a while back. but would not just pull out, so put the scews back and left it for later, have you removed either of the light assemblies on your Alphard?

Hi, about to wire the socket for caravan electrics, have done this many times in years gone by and I thought ,to save time, if anyone can tell me which side rear lamp cluster is best to wire into. It would be the side where the main rear section of the wiring looms comes from the front. Any special things to look for? Many thanks.

It's always advisable to replace any wiper blade as a complete unit.Having been in the motor trade for more years than I care to remember,we always advised customers to have a complete blade fitted, as labour costs for fiddling about with fitting just a blade was almost as expensive as a new product. Often the rivetted joints in the blade were worn.There are many universal blades available with fitting kits to allow fitment to most vehicles,although many Toyotas have a more streamlined rear wiper set-up,as does the Alphard.

Hi,we used them many years ago when they were in Bideford and we had a rear kitchen unit fitted to our Ford Freda. Always helpful and high quality work and that service still remains..

We have not been too happy with the table fitted in our Camper conversion It has a single spindley fold away leg, which when folded down makes the table quite sensitive to any slight pressure on the outer edge which tips the table. With this in mind we called into our local camper conversion business in Barnstaple who were able to supply a much,much more substantial ,stable and adjustable fold away leg.

Yes I replied on Sunday, I read your second post on the subject and understood they said they would exchange the nuts and washers. It would seem somehow you were sent a set of mixed nuts and washers especially if one of the washers does not fit on the nuts. I would try and get them to send out a new set and then return the faulty set. Quote the "Sale of Goods Act" if you don't satisfaction. I can't remember the exact wording, but something like"goods not fit for purpose". I'm sure the wording is somewhere online.

Thanks, when I get some spare time I'll have a look.

Fitted the new Xenon bulbs to the main beam head lamps and to coin a phrase "WOW!" what a difference,gone are the dullish light beams and replaced by clear bright white light.All for £5-88: 2 x HB3 9005 65W Super White XENON Upgrade Headlamp Bulbs. Pair 12volt.[Ebay].

I don't know if anyone else has noticed that the main beam headlights produce a different coloured light. The dip light is much whiter than the main beam, so with that in mind I'm just going to change the main beam bulbs to Xenon and see if they improve the brightness to match the dip lights.

Once,quite by chance whilst trying various combinations of buttons, managed to get a DVD to play, but because I couldn't remember how I achieved the result, have been unable to find the method again. It's a shame someone hasn't photographed each screen that pops up and then found someone to translate the various wording.

All this seems very hit and miss, We're just using the VHF Radio 2 and disc player and once we find the correct adaptor we will use our Sony MP3 player for music. There doesn't appear to be a straight forward replacement for the Japanese head unit, which doesn't require adaptors etc. to produce all the same functions as the original OE. We will manage until, if ever, someone finds an exact fitment. Of course there are several different units fitted anyway.

Kerr ching!!

PS Sorry I did't reply yesterday, we were without power from 9-15am yesterday until 1-00pm this morning.