Themadscotsman

Not to worry, It isn’t necessary for me to be able to use the buttons as the keys do a perfect job of unlocking, I was just curios to know. The main door lock switch on the drivers door can be programmed to lock/unlock in certain scenarios, ie above 15mph to lock all doors and unlock when in park mode. Other functions may be in the owners handbook that I haven’t got round to reading fully yet. Thanks for your advice nonetheless.

The small black buttons have a little bit of give on them hence my thinking I should press them when grabbing the door handle or unlocking the tailgate before using the latch to open it. Can you explain what you mean by drivers door lock switch enabled?

So during the week I got around to fitting the cigarette socket. I bought a cigarette socket extension and cut the plug off, wired into the unused heated seats fuse with a 15a fuse tap then ran the cable under the carpet after removing the plastic kick guards from both left hand side doors. I then used strong double sided tape to secure it next to the cubby hole at the left rear hidden under the rear seat. Works a treat, I may look into a more permanent fitting later on if I want to try routing the cable over the inside of the wheelarch. I also connected the USB thingy taking a fused feed from the factory cigarette socket and running the cable under the carpet, sticking the module to the front of the centre console at floor level. This meant no drilling of holes anywhere to feel cables through. Pics to follow if anyone is interested.

Hi All, I have a 2006 Gen 1 facelifted Alphard. I have a couple of keys, a Toyota 4 button one and a lookalike generic 4 button one, (see pic). On my drivers door handle and the tailgate there is a small black button which I think may require a smart fob (see pic) in order to unlock as at present they do not respond when pressed. Would I be correct in my assumption? All 4 buttons on the key work for unlocking all and both side doors as both mine are powered.

Thanks Chris and Pete, Helpful advice which I will take on board. My first job is the cigarette lighter socket and once I have the cable I will crack on as Pete advised. After that I plan on adding some USB connections via a module from Aliexpress ( see pic) to the centre console allowing rear passengers to charge phones etc using the 12 volt feed to the inverter underneath the console.

I have an alpicool compressor fridge which runs on either the cigarette lighter socket when driving and a power station when the engine is off. I’m looking to have a socket behind the front seats to plug in the fridge or powerstation to charge it up when the fridge isn’t in use. I’ve ordered some good cable to do the job, I just need to figure out how to route it from the fusebox to the rear of the van.

Has anyone fitted a second cigarette lighter socket to their Alphard/Vellfire? I’m looking to fit one in mine to run a coolbox for days out without trailing a cable under peoples feet up to the dashboard. I’m thinking of installing next to where the car jack is located as the fusebox I would use for power is on the left of the car meaning potentially an easier cable run. I’m thinking of piggybacking of the 15amp power outlet fuse using a separate 10 amp inline fuse. I have a 2006 Alphard. Any advice suggestions gratefully received. Andrew

Thanks Roger.

Hi everyone. After some extensive research on Japanese minivans, I was torn between a Nissan Elgrand and a Toyota Aplhard. I went for the latter as I understand them to be more reliable as Toyota are well known for it. I’m awaiting collection of a 2006 MV model after UK registration is complete.