When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have had my GE fit sport for a few years and recently have been having trouble with it blowing headlight bulbs and I have done some diagnosing myself and reading live data via obd scan tool.(image attached at bottom of post) What i have found out so far is that under heavy acceleration and let say some spirited driving I'm getting random voltage spikes. I have had to replace multiple sets of headlight bulbs because when this happens a few things happen that I can tell at night I can visually see the headlights get brighter just before the go out which is a major concern
,I also see the airbag fault light come on the dash for about a second ,and I also feel the power steering get stiff and makes the wheel hard to turn also another safety concern. I am not super familiar with the charging systems in these cars and just don't know the next logical step. Battery has been tested and is good ,alternator has been tested and is showing good as well. I just know that it is an electrical issue somewhere and need to get it fixed before it possibly progresses and causes further damage. Any help and advice is appreciated thanks in advance.
Mm.. Besides the alternator having a failing voltage regulator, maybe failure within ignition coils? they amplify current and generate radio waves which are then blocked by some kind of tiny wizard in their casings.
On another car that had a separate RF interference module (ours are in the coils, so don't buy sketchy coils) which had been removed by a previous owner, the gauges would sweep when the throttle was pressed. It would reset the dashboard
Another consideration, perhaps less likely: do you have any added LED lighting? I recall a dude whose car was immobilized due to replacement of brake lights with LED bulbs..
Check and test direct output from alternator as these have internal voltage regulators. The fact that more than one sub system(s) are having issue leads me to believe it is a generation -> filter (regulation) issue and must be ruled out first. If it were just bulbs or just ABS for example I would say otherwise.
Note: My 2015 would cut out during or near WOT randomly at high load above 80mph before alternator replacement due to failing VR (high demand and high heat = stress).. Must start there. GL