Rep Power: 0

Ok so i just installed my third alt. Went with brand new OEM because i'm tired of all these problems and wanted to try something different. I have a 500 watt RMS mono amp Powering a 500W Rms sub. Also have a hid retro if it matters but i had these problems before i did it. I check the volts everyday because i dont think the alt is the real problem. It does go up to around 14V but i notice when i drive it drops sometimes down to low 12's at idle or when driving. This is with or without lights, A/C, stereo on. It doesn't matter. I know the ELD controls the voltage but is it normal to be down at 12V when driving?? If i tap the P/W switch or turn up the ac or hit the brakes it jumps back to 14v like the ELD is supposed to do but why wont it stay there?? Upgraded my ground wires last week and didn't make a diff. Any ideas because i'm stumped and don't want to buy a new alt in 6 months.

 
Rep Power: 517

Yes. Normal.

Some copy and paste from Honda Service News 12/00

Since the early ’90s, Honda vehicles have come with
an electrical load detector (ELD) unit in the
under-hood fuse/relay box. This unit allows the
ECM/PCM to regulate the alternator (switch it
between high output and low output) to provide the
best combination of fuel economy and electrical
system operation. The ELD sends a signal to the
ECM/PCM that’s proportional to the electrical
demand. The ECM/PCM switches the alternator
between high output and low output depending on
several factors, which include electrical demand,
battery charge level, and the driving cycle. When the
alternator is in low output, the engine load is reduced
and fuel economy improves.



HTH

 
Rep Power: 0

I understand how the ELD works but my real question is why have i gone thru 3 Alts in 4 yrs? I know there are ppl on here with ICE that blow my mods out of the water and haven't had as many problems as i have. There has to be something i haven't looked at causing my alt to die so often.

 
Rep Power: 517

I understand how the ELD works

Really?


but my real question is why have i gone thru 3 Alts in 4 yrs?

Gee, I have no idea.


and haven't had as many problems as i have.

You haven't described any problems here yet.

There has to be something i haven't looked at causing my alt to die so often.


1) Are you sure it really has a problem? Your "complaint" at the top appears to be normal operation. You aren't going to change that.

2) Cheapass remans from discount parts stores rarely last long. Some don't even make it out of the shop.
Factory remans seem to last about as long as the originals on most of the cars.

HTH

 
Rep Power: 0

I have the same issue. Every 2 years new battery and a new alternator.
Not sure if you own a 2003 Civic Si (1.7) Canadian Model.
ELD circuit is missing, not installed at factory. Thus your alternator works continuously over charging the battery. There is a Bus Bar where the ELD socket is.
Will work on a solution for this..

USA CIVIC WITH the Electrical Load Detector...


Canadian Civic without the ELD ...

 
Rep Power: 811

in summer my voltage with ELD can be sometimes 11.5-11.8v with the alt shut off, and 13.5-13.8v with alt running. winter will be higher.

 
Rep Power: 0

also have a 2003 si civic did you find a fix. Thanks goat69 Canada car voltage high and low

 
Rep Power: 0

check this out. i dont know if its related but maybe it will help
http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/boa...ivicaccordfit/

 
Rep Power: 0

PURCHASED: Ontario, Canada(Toronto dealership/Brand New Purchase in 2003)
Country where car resides/Registered currently: USA-Milwaukee

Model: CIVIC SI
Engine: 1.7 L
Year: 2003
ECU/PCM # 37820-PLR-CO7 also there's an upgrade to C08 or a replacement part 37820PMR405 (I think)
Modifications: None, Factory Original

Recent Major Service(8Months ago): New clutch replacement/gearbox rebuilt/All new front rear shock and struts/New belts/Spark plugs/water pump/brakes pads, rotors/fluid flush/alignment.. total cost $3,500 US. An awesome service, felt like a new car and still is.

Maintenance: Dealer Maintained
Past issues/Concerns: Question. My Alternator and Battery failure within 1.5 years / now on my 4th Alternator. Answer. The ELD doesn't protect anything it is only there for fuel economy to put the alternator in low power mode and it doesn't protect the battery from over charging either. The alternator in the car is bad I'm sure which is why the voltage is low cause it seems to be a common issue for this with early failure after market parts.

Recent Issues (ECM/PCM FAILURE): Dead Tachometer/temp gauge/Immobilizer ON/Loss of power, max rpm idle at 2,000 RPM, wont go over 50Mph, can shift within the 2K RPM slowly.

Action Taken: USA HONDA Dealer unable to fix, unable to communicate ECU/PCM with programmer due to country specific data base access. Contacted HONDA Canada, unable to assist, they need the car to be at a Canadian dealership to program. The USA Honda has no access to the ECU nor do they have access to the mobilizer code. Country specific Liability Issue. Towing fees and dealer cost to repair is $2,500 to get it to Windsor, Canada. CIVIC is in the US for now, so now I offered the shop to start stripping the car, sell for parts, hood, engine, the entire car, OEM alloy rims, then trash the body at the junk yard. It comes down to the $70 (from junk yard) circuit (ECU/PCM), that has left my car in limp-mode. Total loss. Its nice to be equipped with a factory code immobilizer system and bad to be far away from its country of origin for service on ECU/PCM.
Note:
Also during diagnostic at the dealer: They mentioned something is wrong with the electrical system in the CIVIC, they said alternator is not charging the battery. FYI - I saw the electrical circuit diagram at the dealer and Canadian model is missing an ELD circuit (fuel economy), and the US model has the circuit in place.
So could my Alternator be an issue here, since its the only thing thats been causing me trouble from day 1. Could the defective alternator, low power output cause my mobilizer to act this way !!

 
Rep Power: 0

Answer.

 
Rep Power: 0

CORRECTION: ABOUT ELD CIRCUIT:
Answer. The ELD doesn't protect anything it is only there for fuel economy to put the alternator in low power mode and it doesn't protect the battery from over charging either. The alternator in the car is bad I'm sure which is why the voltage is low cause it seems to be a common issue for this with early failure after market parts.
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