I have a USA civic with a blown alternator. I got a canadian alternator for free, so it'd be cool to make it work. The issue is that my harness has a 4 pin connector with an ELD and the new alternator is a 3 pin with no spot of ELD. How detrimental would it be to swap my alternator plug to 3 pin and leave out the ELD?

Is the ELD THAATTT important? Or will it keep me running for a few months until i can afford a decent alternator? What will be the consequences? Is it a bad idea to splice the ELD wire into something running a low voltage? Helppppp. Haha. And thanks...

 

How do you define important?

The ELD is important for increasing your Civic's gas mileage.

 

You didn't list the model year of your Civic; but, for 96 - 00 Civics, U.S. model Civics has 4 pin connectors and Canada model Civics has 3 pin connector. A couple of the same wires to the different connectors (3 pin vs 4 in ) were at different numbered terminals.

Canada models did not have an ELD (located in the under-hood fuse/relay box); whereas, US models did.

I suppose you can get a matching 3 pin connector for the alternator; but, I am not sure if Canada and US model Civics used the same or different ECM/PCM and what effect that would have if you just used a matching 3 pin connector with no ELD as part of the US model charging circuit.

 

You will get an ELD code. This means that your Check Engine Light will remain lit at all times, so how will you know when another code/problem occurs ? Will you check codes twice each day ?

I suggest you get a replacement alternator that has a 4-wire plug... fixing your car wrong for "free" isn't really free.

 

Fuel economy (mentioned by Muellersfan) (Yes) + ELD trouble code (mentioned by JRCivic1) (possibly) are the consequences.

 

Thanks for all the responses. Its a 98 civic single cam vtec.
I called honda and gave them my vin, they told me I needed a 4 pin based on my Vin.... Looks like they were wrong! I checked for myself and its a 3 pin. Looks like I'm in luck haha.
next challenge is getting that darn bottom through bolt unstuck. EVERY PIN STYLE BOLT ON THIS CAR IS SEIZED IT DRIVES ME CRAZY!!! Ill get it though.. Just keep grabbing bigger hammers haha.
Anyways. Thanks again guys. Super appreciate the help.

 

The best penetrating oil I used is Kano Kroil for nuts and bolts. I tried others; but, in my experiences the Kano Kroil works and works faster, even when other penetrating oils won't work.

There are different Kano Kroil; but, this is what I use: