Michael Brown

You should have a white sticker on the wheel arch on either side of front doors, with the doors open. Also you will have the Vin No and other info including the body colour code. You could try your local Toyota dealer. Some of them are agreeable when you say its for an import. Its a Toyota stock colour after all. Remember to give the year of manufacture.

All my other Estima's before my present Alfie I only ever used to listen too Radio 4 or the Digital version of Radio 4 on a DAB Pioneer head unit. But I am liking the Radio 2 now and will not now be changing the head unit. I have the various cameras and reverse cam is good and I occassionally stumble accross channels that have been recorded on the hard drive and thanks to the chap who did the You Tube video of setting up Bluetooth when I sign onto the Alphard site, I now have that working, thanks mate.

Success, I have Alfie back, picked him up from Peter Holland's, Bright Spark Automotive. To have the new Inverter fitted set up, codes cleared and road tested £372.

Hi, The new Inverter took 2.5 weeks to come from Japan and arrived this last Tuesday and being fitted today friday 19th May. So fingers crossed I will back driving later today. I now hope I will get a longer time to appreciate my Alfie.

Does anyone with a hybrid tow anything bigger than a boat trailer ?

Have you considered a digital aerial ? stuck on inside of windscreen, down left or right side. You'd have to remove the windscreen pillar cover to be able to stick the aerial close to the edge of the glass so part of it is earthed to the bodywork. Then hide the wire. some of this is much easier with a thin rodding kit to get behind the dashboard. Does the new head unit have digital ?

Hi All Are we looking for a day event, an evening event, or a camping weekend ?

Hello Adam Thanks for the thought, I don't profess to know the workings of engines these days, I rely on specialists who have been reccommended to me to work on them for me. Peter Holland told me he normally carries spares of all sorts but he was clean out of the parts he needed. One repairs one bit, then months down the line something else goes. I am hoping that buying a new Inverter I should get many years of uninterupted motoring, fingers crossed.

No it's not cheap, but without it the vehicle is worthless. I paid £9,500. for it last August. A new Inverter costs £5,200.24p and that's without the fitting and set up. So I have taken a bank loan out, paid up front for the Inverter, so now awaiting for its arrival from Japan. I hope when fixed I will get many years of happy motoring.

Hard luck, I too have that problem on my 2007 Hybrid, same side. Not done it yet but I am told take out the bulb and put a hair drier up to the hole and it should dry it out. Let all know how you get on. I cannot do mine at the moment, waiting for a new Inverter being shipped from Japan.

Thanks again

Thank you Alasdair, next question where did you buy it ?

Alasdair, how did you secure the lighting strip to your dashboard, looks good

Thanks Liz and all for your input. I have been using Peter Holland of Bright Spark Automotive. He tells me that he does not have and cannot source any of the parts he needs to repair my Inverter. He enquired to replace the whole Inverter from Japan and including VAT and shipping it was to be £5,200.23p. Bloody expensive, I know, but I have taken a bank loan out to pay for it and then I should get many happy years of motoring without a breakdown ( fingers crossed ). It will take 10 days to come over and I will report back progress. Am I doing the right thing.

Thank you Paul I will look into it

Hi All, I have been told that my Inverter has packed upon my 2007 2.4 Alphie and parts cannot be found to repair it. I have been told an option is to import a new one from Japan, takes 10 days at a cost of £5,200.23p inc VAT Agghh !! This I cannot afford. My lovely Alphard is slowly becoming a money pit. Any suggestions please. Michael

I used to drive Mk2 Estima's, the first mk2 I bought had 65,000 miles on it give or take. A couple of years later whilst in the Toyota Estima Owners Club ( it stopped in 2018). So I bought my 1st mk2 in 2011 and in 2013 a lady said she did a BIMTA (British Independant Motor Trades Association) done and found her Estima had been clocked, wound back somewhat and mentioned a garage by name and I thought that sounded familiar. So I had a BIMTA check done on mine giving the VIN number. You could have a mileage check done for around a tenner or a full rundown around £40. I just had the mileage check done. I was shocked to find 79,000 miles had been wiped from the clock. Prices will have changed over the years. If you are worried get a BIMTA done and good luck.

As Alfie has broken down twice now and it is at Peter Holland's BrightSpark garage, he tells me the Inverter has broken down which affects lots of things. He will be hunting around for parts to repair it if it can be repaired. Fingers crossed

Hi, I drive past the above place twice a week and they always have an event on or other and a big car park. I might pop in one day, when I eventually get my Alfie back from being fixed, presently running around in a hire car. Michael

Hi, I ordered 2 stickers £4.99p for the 2 Many thanks Michael

Hello Oli When I had the orange engine management light come on on last car, 2000 W reg Estima I was told the O2 sensor needed replacing. So I had it done. End of problem. It sorted out my problem, never had that again. It may be something else but it was an easy fix. Good Luck Michael

or My local garage in Sidlesham has serviced all 3 of my Mk2 Estimas and performed a service on my 2.4 2007 Alphard Hybrid and what he does'nt know he asks a friend. So far getting parts has not been a problem. Colin Campbell at C.M.C. Autos, Unit 4 Enbourne Business Park, Selsey Road, Sidlesham, 01243 641134 or Mob : 07970 072239. Or Steve at Bright Spark Automotive www.brightsparkautomotive.co.uk 07774 152660. Sorted out the Hybrid. Lastly Listers Toyota in Stratford Upon Avon did work and supplied parts for the Estima's. Many main Toyota dealers will not touch imports. You can only ask. Good luck

Hi, So is it okay to have a towbar fitted to a Alphard Hybrid ? I have a 2007 and i had been advised not too. I towed a Gobur Carousel folding caravan, less tan 1000Kg, behind my Toyota Estima 2.4.

Hi, I have been told its not advisable to fit a tow bar to an Alphard Hybrid. Is this correct and why ?

So what is the correct 12volt battery to fit to a 2007 2.4 hybrid taking that it fits between to the rear of the front seats. I will measure mine when I go outside. Have folks had problems with the battery charging via alternator ??