Maxim

I've done the same as you today - tried to replace the damper bush, only to find the one in there was perfectly good. Can I ask - when you say 'replace the column with one from Amayama' - did you replace the upper column that the spider is part of, or did you replace the lower part (intermediate shaft), like the one Picasso linked to?

Yes, I agree. A few months into ownership I understand that pressing the button activates drive of the rear wheels as well as fronts (discovered the same way you did). I still wonder what the 'auto' bit means. i.e. automatically activates rear wheels when needed, rather than permanent 4wd?

Thanks Picasso. Took your advice re battery and have replaced with a Bosch one. I've also edited the original post to remove security details, having thought about it some more overnight. Battery has fixed the problem but long term I will have the aftermarket wiring removed by an auto electrician. The module in question I believe is the SMART key control module. Will link resources which helped me below in case help anyone else in future. https://youtu.be/_5ochcNkM88?si=eGyM5wPJZMOJllm0 https://youtu.be/vYtU5-OLv-k?si=mvm3BnKRLgz1Xfyc

Hello, Not had my Alphard long (a couple of weeks). Bought privately so sold as seen. Within a few days I got warning lights on the dash. All four of VSC engine TRC 4wd. Based on other threads here I purchased the basic Toyota specific icarsoft code reader, and can reset the codes. If reset with engine running I can drive the car for hours without them coming back on, but pretty much as soon as I perform another start event, they come back on. Sometimes one light, sometimes all four, sometimes any two or three. The codes I get are U0129 C1280 C1201 The previous owner fitted a new battery recently, but based on threads here, I think it is below spec, and there is some spliced wiring into the module in the pictures which I think is the real problem. Does anyone know what that module in the photos is please? And can anyone comment on whether I should try a beefier battery before I investigate wiring connections? Photos of module and battery attached.

Thanks!

Hi, just acquired a 2010 3.5l Alphard last weekend. Seriously impressed so far. I've searched but can't find the answer to this question - apologies in advance if it is already posted somewhere obvious... What does the "4WD Auto" button do? e.g. is the car normally in 2WD and with the button activated it automatically decides when to drive the rear wheels, or is the car normally in 4WD and with the button activated it goes into 2WD with auto 4WD detection, or something else altogether? I looked under the car, it has a driveshaft and diff, so I know it has a mechanical 4WD system.