I have a 1996 civic dx (hatchback). It originally had the D16y7, but after piston rings went bad I swapped to a D16A (only d16 I could find from a local import warehouse). I’ve had the swap for over a year and it drives absolutely perfect but ever since the day of the swap it’s thrown a check engine light for the electronic load detector (P1298). I replaced the fuse/relay several times to no success so my question is, what’s needed to turn that light off? Do I need a different ecu or something? I’ve searched high and low and can’t find any forums with this topic.

 

Did you keep your original alternator or did one come with the D16A ? Also, did you use your original D16Y7 engine harness too ?

 

The d16a came with an alternator and I kept that same one in there. And yes I am using the factory y7 harness.

 

Many JDM alternators do not have the ELD wire inside the housing, so even though you are using the OE Y7 engine harness (and it plugs into the D16A alternator), this circuit is incomplete in your car, and thus, you get the code. You need to use a USDM alternator and your code should go away.

 

did you have to do any harness or motor mount modifications