Michael Brown

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 ??

Hi All, very interesting reading about all the battery problems. I have broken down twice now out on the road and twice needed to be transported home via RAC. When I try to start Alfie, there does not seem to be enough power to do it and the green READY light goes off and it wil not start. Alfie started up fine for 3 months since the last new battery fitted. My last 12. If the 12volt battery does not start the vehicle, what does and is there a battery charging issue ? The 12 volt battery I have is mounted at floor level to the rear of front 2 seats. YUASA YBX 3000, 60 A/h 500 A(EN). The guy who got the battery for me, I'd asked for a suitable battery for a stop/start engine. it cost enough at £260. ( not bought through Brightspark ) I expected more than 3 months out of it. The guy who fixed it before was Brightspark Automotive in Southbourne, Hampshire, Nr Emsworth. tel : 07774152660 Peter is a very busy man and Alfie is going there in a few week time. No need to rush out to buy a new 12volt battery if its not the problem, it can't be that quick a fix could it.

I'm sure I do not have the right battery, many thanks for your suggestions. The 12 volt battery is mounted to the rear of the front seats, at floor level, so size is important to fit

When I had my 1st breakdown sorted out, 2 of the hybrid cells were replaced at the cost of £50. each and I was told that no new cells were available, so he coud not guarantee them

Thank you Rojie and PaulE. The battery fitted presently is a YUASA YBX 3000 60Ah 500 A(EN) I have been told this is a stop start/battery. I had this fitted after the first breakdown. The battery that was on it when I bought Alfie was a YUASA YBX 3000 60Ah 540 A(EN). Means diddly squat too me. A host of lights came on inc VSC

Hello All I have had my 07 hybrid since August last year and it has broken down twice. Each time it could not be fixed on the side of the road and had to be transported home on a recovery vehicle via RAC. first time it broke down was back in November. My local mechanic Colin Campbell recommended a specialist and Alfie was taken to Brightspark Autos in Southbourne nr Emsworth. Peter Holland gave it a check over, replacing 2 hybrid battery cells, checked the electronics gave it a road test and it was good to go. This cost £530. I broke down on side of A34 this last monday. I'd stopped for some lunch and engine would not start. The green READY light started to illuminate, then nothing, engine did crank a bit. Peter who fixed before is busy for a month. Any suggestions please.