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.
My Civic developed a weird issue again. When I start the car the Civic sputters, as it sputters the check engine light blinks on and off and a I hear one of the 4 relays under the glove box clicking. After about 1 minute the tach dies, temp gauge dies and the sputtering goes away , but it won’t rev up and it feels as if I’ve hit a fuel cut. I also can no longer run the OBD codes because none of my 3 readers can communicate with the ECU. I have replaced PCM before and it work for a month but now same problem, I have read the same problem list many times but not one fix is mentioned! PLEASE HELP!
My assumption is that your question is in regard to someone else’s comment. Could you give me a date and name attached to the comment? There are 100 + comments on this repair article and I do not know which one you may be referring to.
What were your voltage test results at the three wire connector for the ELD?
Sparky thanks for your reply,
Even after replacing the ELD my car still shows P1298 code, what might be the reason for it?
Thanks,
Raj
Hi Raj,
The maintenance light is supposed to be reset when the oil is changed or other services performed. If all maintenance has been performed, depress and hold the trip odometer button in. While holding the button in , turn the ignition switch on. Wait until you hear a beep or or the light changes. Then release the button and cycle the key off. Now check the Maintenance light operation.