Hi! I have a bone stock 2004 Civic LX that is a great car, all except for one thing. Whenever I turn on anything that uses a lot of electricity (like the A/C, power windows, etc.), the voltage drops causing the headlights to dim signifcantly, the fan blower to slow down, and the low battery alarm to go off on my inverter.

After I noticed that these problems didn't occur right after I started the car, I did some research and determined that my problem is probably caused by the electrical load detector putting the alternator into low output mode. I simply can't stand the dimming lights, so I was wondering what the easiest/cheapest way to disable the ELD/force the alternator into high output mode all the time would be.

Thanks!

 

Unplug the ELD in the back of the underhood fuse/relay box or replace it: part# 38255-S5A-003

This is the front of the ELD:


Have you scanned it for codes? Are you actually getting code P1298?

 

Thanks for the reply!

I don't think my ELD is "broken" per se, I am just dissatisfied with its function altogether. I had read about just unplugging it, but I was under the impression that would make the check-engine light turn on. I don't have a code scanner.

 

or you can just hardwire your headlights to your battery and no more dimming. Of course there's a lil more to that but just to give you an idea if the headlights are bugging you.

 

Autozone will check it for free. ELD doesn't usually make the MIL come on, it just stores the code.

 

Is there anything that states what some of these fuses or relays are for?
The reason for this is that my 2001 EU1 Civic has a similar fusebox, but some relays and fuses only have labels referring me to the operator's manual (which only comes in Japanese) and doesn't mention the component. My English service manual doesn't list the items in those specific locations of the fusebox either, but I know that they are being used for something. I've tried to unplug them one by one to see what stops working, but this hasn't generated anything substantial.