Dave

Yes, the alternator is fine. Everything is fine. I just stupidly drained the battery.

Thanks for your replies. In the end I remembered that I had a motorcycle battery in a cupboard... I charged that and then jumped the Alphard from that. Moral of the story: don't use a car-powered tyre pump without the engine running.

I last changed my brake pads in 2021 (car: 2006, 2.4) and I noticed that the front pads had what I believe are called shims. They weren't in the best of condition at that point but I already had the new pads (with no shims) so went ahead and reused the old shims. I'm planning to change the pads again soon so the shim issue has arisen. I can't find anywhere selling either the shims or pads with shims. Are they actually necessary? If they are, does anyone know where I can get them? Many thanks, Dave

Is it ok to charge the battery while it is still connected to the car? I want to avoid having to reset this and that after disconnecting and reconnecting. The car is 2.4, non-hybrid, 2006 and my charger is 1984 vintage, if that makes any difference. Many thanks, Dave

Any clues about what you did? I've just had an LEZ ticket from Edinburgh. I appealed on the basis that my Alphard is Dec 2006 and passed on the tfl checker... but they want evidence eg a CoC.

I've just received a PCN from Edinburgh council for unwittingly driving in their LEZ. I thought that a December 2006 2.4 petrol Alphard would be compliant (even if their database doesn't know this). Can anyone tell me if this vehicle is compliant, or how I can find out, prove it etc? Or should I just pay up. Many thanks, Dave

I've been meaning to post this update for the last year having finally got to the bottom of what the dipstick was telling me: This is how to interpret/take the transmission dipstick readings (2 dipstick marks, 3 scenarios): 1. Engine running but not warmed up: dipstick should read cold 2. Engine running and warm: dipstick should read warm 3. Engine cold and not running: dipstick should read above the warm mark Confusion arose from my initial belief that the cold mark on the dipstick meant scenario 3, above. (Leaving aside other oddities caused by the leak and low levels). I couldn't understand why a cold, non-running engine was giving a reading of hotter than warm.

It had a leak from the cooler pipes which is why I thought the level might be low. I've found the dipstick to be hard to interpret as it has always shown the same level whether the engine is hot or cold. This makes no sense to me but I've been unable to get to the bottom of it. The whole thing is very frustrating. All I want to do is to put the right amount of fluid in and naturally I'm worried about overfilling due to what I've read in other conversations here.

Alphard G - 2006, 2.4, front wheel drive I've just drained my transmission fluid through the sump plug (I've had a suspicion that there might not be enough in there and was curious to see what came out). Just under 2 litres has come out. From other discussions here I gather that there might be 4L remaining in the torque converter (but how would anyone know? Perhaps this is low, too). I'm proposing to add 4L but as above, this might not be enough. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks Dave

** it is 10mm after all. I would delete this post if I could ** I was all set to drain my transmission fluid this morning but can't shift the plug. (Alphard G 2006, 2.4 front wheel drive) It looks like an Allen key is needed; my 8mm is too small and my 10mm seems just too big. I'm guessing that 9mm is required which I don't have - but I'm keen not to damage it so if anyone could confirm if I'm on the right lines here, or let me know what I actually need, I'd be grateful. Many thanks, Dave

Windows 10, 64 bit

Hi, I've just bought this and am attempting to install the software. Unfortunately my laptop is claiming to detect ransomware in the software. As the whole thing has a bit of a pirate feel about anyway it I'm wary of continuing. Did you, or has any one else, come across this? Thanks Dave

I've tried putting what I believe to be my VIN in - ANH10-0167331 - and it says nothing found. Is this format number what works for other people? (it's a 2006 Alphard 2.4)

I've checked the level cold - seems fine. Gone for a run, switched off and checked again - level looks the same as cold. Does this seem reasonable? I'd have expected it to be up around the hot mark.

Thanks - is that off hot or off cold? Perhaps immaterial and one just looks at appropriate markings on dipstick.