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.
Hey sparky got a 01 civic that’s been firing out p1298 fo over a year Honda dealer said it wasn’t major so didn’t change anything about 2 months ago bunch of electrical problems occurred at once, a/c out, wipers only work on higher speeds ,power locks no longer work, n still all fuses are good. Do you think changing the ELD will help my electrical failures? In need of your help on this one, exhausted a few avenues with all dead end results…thank you
Two things come to mind initially. A shorted A/F ratio(oxygen)sensor or an exhaust leak in the manifold or pipe upstream of the sensor. There are a multitude of things that could be going on but this would be a starting point. In either case, you should be able to disconnect the sensors’s harness connector and the engine performance should improve. If it does improve you will need to decide if it is a shorted sensor or a diluted exhaust caused by an air leak into it.
Hey sparky I have 2002 Civic lx that has p1298, p0131, p0171 I got these codes from autozone and was wondering if it might be a faulty o2 sensor or a eld I was just wondering if they can be related the car runs fine but it the exaust stinks and at times the car would hesitate when I first press on the gas it’s an automatic by the way, I was just wondering if you can steer me to the right direction
I know that you stated that the belt tension is good but how is the condition of the belt. Your data suggests a slipping belt. A more rare condition would be high resistance in the wire between the alternator output post and the battery positive terminal. Even at that it would have to have just the right amount of separation do allow a higher voltage at no load.
Hey Sparkey I have a question on a Honda civic 01, it a charging issue I just replace alternator It was putting out 12.5volts under load, at Idell it was 13Volts. The replaced one is re-manufacture from advanced auto. Now it is putting out 14.7 Volts at idle and when under load only 11.6. I already checked all my fuses all ok the crazy #15 ok and #4 ok. I also checked my Eld the battery is 12.4 and the 5volt signal only 3.52 at idle and when I turn on lights and A/C it goes down to 1.3. Battery terminals all clean and the belts right tension, What else have I forgotten to do Please help?