This 2001 Honda Civic came in with a multitude of problems one of which was a code P1298 stored for an ELD fault (electric load detector circuit input high). I had never had to actually test one of these before although I knew that they existed. The ELD sends a signal to the engine control computer so that the computer can adjust the alternator output in relation to power consumption. The ELD is located in the underhood fuse box. I am pointing to it with my screw driver.
To test the ELD I had to lift the underhood fuse box and remove the bottom cover. Once removed I could access the wiring for the ELD. The wire on the far right of the connector is power supply (battery voltage).
The wire in the middle of the connector is battery ground.
The wire on the far left of the connector is a five volt signal sent from the computer. The ELD will pull the voltage lower with increased system load and should vary with a change in load. For example if the blower or headlights are turned on it should drop. This particular unit was stuck at 3.81 volts and would not change with no loads or full loads applied. If the voltage had been near zero I would have had to unplug the connector and see if the five volt reference signal was being sent by the computer and wiring.
After testing and finding a faulty ELD, it was very easy to change. I removed the four adjoining phillips headed screws that held the two PAL fuses in place.
I released the latch on the harness connector and unplugged the connector.
With the wiring removed I simply lifted the unit. Slid the bar out and installed the new unit.
Below are a couple of pictures of the actual ELD part from Honda.
Your comment is a little hard to follow but here goes. If the alternator or it’s wiring shorts out you may blow a fuse that can cause your problems. If the alternator is not charging and the battery goes dead as a result. Then shifting problems could develop from the resulting low voltage. If you charge the battery with a battery charger and the car drives normally for about an hour and then the shifting problems start and the battery is dead. Look into a problem with the alternator/charging system.
I have honda civic 2000 dx automatic. D4 light flashing and jerks when putting in d4 never had problems when the car shut off on me on a stop sign. I replaced all the solenoid and the eld and still nothing can a bad alternator caused the ecm to not shift proper cause the battery. A took it to charge and I turn the car for mabey one hour then dies can alternator be bad? The code are p1768 p1753 p1298
I do not think anyone at Honda has intentionally done a disservice to HX owners. One of two likely scenarios; cataloging error or a low car count coupled with the need for a different part that reduces the number of available replacement parts.
Thanks Sparky, that is pretty disappointing that Honda decided to basically screw HX owners or maybe this is isolated to just 2-door’s? Any way I might be able to argue with Honda about this lol?
Concerning the Civic HX ELD, I looked it up and Honda does not have one listed for the the HX which does lead one to believe that the fuse box has to be purchased. The right thing to do, if testing shows the ELD id faulty, is to replace the fuse box. The other option would be to bring your ELD to the dealership and compare it to one for a non HX version. Wiring diagrams would also have to be consulted to see if they are wired the same.