CODE 20 = ELD (electric load detected)

Well I did a mini-me swap in my CRX (using d15b2 and d16z6 cylinder head/intake manifold)

And the code from HELL appeared CODE 20.

I drove this car after the swap up to the gas station and back, coolant leak so I fixed the leak and the car wouldn't start up afterwards.

PROBLEMS:

1. Won't Start (starter won't even engage)
2. When the doors open the warning lights come on
3. When step on the brake the warning lights get bright
4. Interior accessories don't work (radio, dome light, etc.)
5. Headlights extremely dim
6. Brights won't turn on

THINGS I'VE DONE
1. Replaced under-HOOD fuse box
2. Replaced ECU with pr4 (is this okay?)
3. Replaced/Checked Alternator (turned out to be good)
4. Checked ignition wires (from the key cylinder)
5. Replaced ELD wire from underdash fusebox to ecu
6. Cleaned Grounds (going to double check thermostat one)

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
1. I hooked up the Alternator wire in the Battery place on the under-HOOD fusebox (and the battery in the alternator place), possibly burnt some wires
2. I cut the a/c relay and left it dangling the bare wires could have touched
3. Alternator wire (thick one to the fuse box) possibly bad
4. Battery (although it checks out at 12.64/6)
5. Main Relay (makes clicking noise)
6. Main Harness fried (but I never smelt any burnt plastic (wire insolation)
7. Thermostat ground, I cleaned off all of my ground with a wire brush, but would this cause all of these symptoms?

Also I have since made a ECU test harness so I hope to be able to trouble shoot it better (test harness took 3 days to make )

Well I listed all that I that has happened, what I've done, and what could be the problems.

Any help would be appreciated

Shane




Modified by vtecn8ive at 11:17 PM 6/26/2005

 

bump

 

bumpers

 

pr3/ pr4 ecu dont have eld as far as i know i am sure the pr3 doesnt because you have to disconnect those wires from the ecu to put vtec in, i believe that part(ELD) is built in to the fuse box under the hood, it shouldnt be a problem to drive with that code it should not affect it running properly,

 

Well its the only code I am throwing and my car is not running. When it is ever thing seems like it lacks power . I suppose I better charge up one of the spare batteries and see if tha makes a difference.

**** Also checked/cleaned thermostat housing and still didn't work!!!! *****

 

haha, oops I accidentally put underdash fusebox rather then underHOOD sorry about the confusion.

-Shane

 

bump help me out.

I just got done doing the flow chart (troubleshooting for the ELD) but no luck. It says to use a known good ecu and I used the pr4 (obdo) but it did the same thing.

HELP. I am going to replace my ground from the valve cover to the rad support tomorrow.

Also the wire loom that goes under the intake manifold appears to be all intact.

I am going to see how much a new ELD (fuse box) cost from Honda man this is getting expensive

-Shane

 

bump help me out!!!

 

check all your grounds thats what it sounds like,
just my opinion

 

okay I will triple check my grounds. Thats what I think it is but they all have good contact.

 

Anybody else? Bump cause I need some assistance. Changed 2 of the 3 grounds out. the Thermostat is good. I took the engine harness apart and it was all good.

 

bump

 

sounds like your shortin the whole car out...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Skinflute22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sounds like your shortin the whole car out...</TD></TR></TABLE>


How could this be though? I mean I never messed with anything but the motor when doing the engine swap. The only wiring I touched was the engine harness, a/c (near the front crossmember), and hooking up the battery to where the alternator should have gone. This is why I am lost, I dont' get it all the wiring I have touched I have gone through and checked and there is no problems.

I am stumped. Cause I was told the ELD shouldn't affect the starting of the car but I can't start my car. I've followed the Troubleshooting steps in Honda Manual and it says either the ECU or Fusebox. I have changed both!!! No luck

HELP

 

bump it up

 

Help me out.

 

damn shane i hate cars!!! lol. i dont understand the problem, my first problem that popped into my head when i read the first post was a bad ground, but if u checked all those i dont understand at all. did u check all the wires running into the harness to make sure none of them are shorted out?

 

yeah i dont know if u busted out the wire tester yet but u may need to just start checking everything to see if u can narrow down where the problem is starting.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecn8ive &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
1. Won't Start (starter won't even engage)
[/i]</TD></TR></TABLE>

Checked to jump start the starter?

 

Your car cannot start with Code 20..!!! Check your wiring connections in your underhood fuse box like I told you before.. (4 wire plug) It might be loose between the wire and the plug.
But, if you are also have a shortage problem.. You need to check your speedo cable.. (cable from speedometer to transmition) It is also a ground..

 

I guess I forgot to mention the STARTER WILL engage if I jump it from battery right to where the black/white wire is. (signal wire?)

The 4 wire plug? Are you talking about the ELD wiring which only has 3 or like the a Main Harness plug?

I never the Speedo cable was a ground. I will double check that. Thanks for the advice keep it coming.

I plan on checking the connectors to make sure they are solid and clean. Then I will begin to attack the Main Harness

Also could the Main Relay cause some of these symptoms (besides the no start)

 

the speedo cable is not a ground... i did not have it connected in either of my da's for a while because they were shot and it ran perfect.

 

I feel for you bro. A code 20 is a real bitch. I recently just fixed mine. I actually had a code 1 (o2 sensor) and a code 20. It turned out my o2 sensor wire came loose somehow and was disconnected. I simply connected the o2 sensor wire and everything went away. So I guess other things can trigger a code 20.

 

okay thanks for the input. I will check my wiring on one of the sensors (its on the back of the intake manifold nearest driver side, d16z6 intake manifold). I had to cut and add a connector to get it to plug in.

-Shane

 

I know you said you checked all the grounds but I didn't see you mention the one from the frame to the tranny?