#engine starts

[sngl-led-auto-lights]

Why do headlights dim when a car engine is turned on?

Headlights dimming when you start the car’s engine is usually normal, but it can also signal an underlying electrical issue. Here’s why it happens and when to be concerned:

1. Normal Behavior: Momentary Dimming During Engine Startup

Cause: When you turn the key (or push the start button), the starter motor draws a massive surge of power (150–300+ amps) from the battery. This temporarily drops the battery voltage (from ~12.6V to 9–10V), reducing power to the headlights.

Duration: Dimming lasts 1–2 seconds while the engine cranks. Lights should brighten once the alternator begins charging (~14V).

Typical in: Older vehicles, cars with weaker batteries, or halogen headlights (LEDs are less affected due to lower power draw).

2. Abnormal Dimming: Persistent or Severe Voltage Drop If headlights stay dim after the engine starts or dim while driving, it indicates a problem:

Common Causes

Weak or Failing Battery: • A degraded battery can’t maintain voltage under load. • Test: Check battery voltage (engine off: <12.4V = weak; running: <13.5V = alternator issue).

Faulty Alternator: • Worn brushes, bad diodes, or a loose belt reduce charging capacity. • Symptom: Lights dim when using accessories (AC, heated seats).

Corroded or Loose Connections: • Corrosion on battery terminals, ground straps, or headlight wiring increases resistance, causing voltage drop.

Overloaded Electrical System: • Aftermarket upgrades (amplifiers, light bars) strain the alternator.

3. How to Diagnose

Test the Battery: • Use a multimeter to check voltage (engine off: 12.6V ideal; engine running: 13.5–14.5V). • Load-test the battery at an auto parts store.

Inspect the Alternator: • Rev the engine to 2,000 RPM while monitoring voltage (should stay steady at ~14V).

Check Wiring: • Clean battery terminals with baking soda/water and a wire brush. • Trace ground connections (engine block to chassis) for corrosion.

Reduce Load: • Disconnect aftermarket electronics to see if dimming stops.

4. Solutions

Replace the Battery: Opt for a higher CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating if you live in a cold climate.

Repair/Replace Alternator: Rebuild or upgrade to a high-output alternator if needed.

Upgrade Wiring: Replace corroded cables or install a headlight relay harness to reduce voltage drop.

Switch to LEDs: LED bulbs draw less power and are less affected by voltage fluctuations.

When to Worry

Lights stay dim even after the engine starts.

Flickering or random brightness changes while driving.

Battery warning light appears on the dashboard.

Cost Estimates Fix Cost Range Battery replacement $100–$300 Alternator repair/replace $200–$600 Wiring harness upgrade $50–$150 (DIY) LED bulb conversion $40–$200

Key Takeaway: Brief dimming during startup is normal, but persistent dimming means your electrical system needs attention. Address issues early to avoid being stranded with a dead battery! 🔧🔋

[parisoonic]

Well, he didn't say it wasn't mechanically impossible.

[quixoticprince]

And of course, Administration:

Remember the naked version I drew as a body ref? Well I decided to dress them up for a uniform ref lol Headshots below

[batsyheere]

I sometimes just imagine the first time Phantom is introduced to the league as like, a fellow big league hero. As someone who works with Justice League Dark and took down the Ecto Acts with his own team and allies to be included under the meta acts like aliens. He knows Constantine and Zatanna and is a pretty common name in the magical community now even if usually as his human form "just Danny".

And suddenly he is surrounded by these "big time heroes" and aliens and champions and most would assume he'd be overwhelmed or in awe. Maybe nervous, or weirdly fixated on being in space.

But here's the kicker- Danny is dead. Technically part of the category ecto-entity, ghost, and thus belonging to the Infinite Realms. He has met a vast variety of characters who are far more chaotic and legendary than these people who have so much interpersonal drama it looks like one of the soap operas Tucker refuses to admit he watches. Wonder Woman? Danny has lunch with Pandora and visits the Greek sections of the realms when he needs to research old prophecies. Superman? Kryptonite is like rock candy and the dead of Krypton are either very sweet or very condescending and Danny has seen both in the Boy Scout. The less said about the Green Lanterns the better. The Flash family are entertaining but also headache inducing because Danny has heard the complaints about the timeline. Half a dozen other heroes and vigilantes have their own dramas that Danny could pick apart at the source for the many issues that started said drama, and that's not even beginning on the issues with Batman and the weird galley of children he has who are sometimes even worse than the dark knight himself.

Meanwhile the League find themselves growing more concerned and horrified the more Phantom manages to reference his adventures and rather stressful start as a vigilante. Constantine hasn't been more entertained in years.

[afterthelambs]

This side by side makes me cry. Those are the exact same eyes. Despite everything it's still you :(

[triptychofvoids]

quick draw and trigonometry

[ongoingexperiment]

Gossip partners

[bluerosefox]

Hmmm we should play around with the idea of Tim going undercover more. Especially when he goes out as Caroline Hill btw.

Dead Tired prompt once again.

Danny knows the people he's working for are... shady at best but he needed this job, ever since he left Amity Park after getting into a bad fight with his parents, they wanted him to become a Ghost Hunter (funny how they never really pressured Jazz into it.), he made sure to shut down the portal now since he learned to make portals (and made sure to delete and burn his parents blueprints for it), renounced himself as Ghost King (he really didn't want the responsibility and helped set up a kinda self governing and kinda 'I will come back to help the Realms keep stable but I am NOT ruling' thing)

[Basically Danny is still technically the King, the Realms need him to keep stable (personal head canon the Realms reflect its Ruler, Danny is much more stable than Pariah Dark and thus the Realms are healing and slowly returning to its natural state), but Danny set up a somewhat self governing thing where he can leave but returns very so often to keep the Realms stable and healing. Its complicated but it works.]

AND because his grades tanked hard due to the accident and being a young ghost hero in high school, Danny didn't have a lot of choices for work or even school (he is in college, none of his dream ones though, and is juggling between it and odd jobs here and there)

Anyways so yeah, Danny knows the people he's working for aren't... great. He knows they're shady AF and knows he could maybe find out what if he used his ghost powers but he does need this job for just a bit longer, until his next paycheck that's all.

He also know his new co-worker might be an undercover cop and is investigating them.

Caroline Hill is a nice lady though, even if it was an act to get closer, polite, works hard when paired with him, and very pretty.

So Danny decides to help cover up tiny mistakes or distract their other co-workers/employers when she's snooping around their work areas/offices.

[vacueye]

looking through old tf2 stuff again + felt like reuploading some of my favorite (mostly spy) art throughout the years

[velveteen-vampire]

are you havin’ a good time?

[bluebellowl]

Aiden is having his first day at Fazbear Entertainment.

His department: taking care of the Subway Bosses' mechanic wellbeing together with Elesa and Vincent.

Aiden can barely believe his luck...

The twins just had a rough month and need complete repair.

Aiden is an OC by the wonderful @toriblayde

Part 1/5

--- Part 2

[homkamiro]

To tie a horse with it's own mane

[fbfh]

leo valdez with a breeding kink… i’d literally give that man anything he wants 😫

OHHHHHH FUCK ME. I WANNA KISS YOU ON BOTH CHEEKS FOR THIS ONE. Leo does not realize he has a breeding kink until it hits him like a fucking semitruck. you're with some family and friends at a little get together, and you end up looking after a baby cousin to give their parents a break. you have the kiddo on your lap while you chat with your friend, and when Leo gets back with drinks he nearly drops them. Boom. Light switch on, breeding kink in full force. He doesn't even realize what's happening, not quite yet, but all he knows is that it's going to take every ounce of self control he has to wait until the party's over. after a physically painful eternity that he suspects is his eternal punishment from the gods worse than pushing a boulder or being strapped to a boulder or holding up a planet sized boulder (it's maybe an hour and a half max) you're finally on your way home. He nearly pulls an irish goodbye just to get his beautiful beautiful hands on you sooner, and Leo is NOT the type to leave without at least a dozen hugs and cheek kisses and leftovers and plans to meet up next time, so you know something must be going on with him. the only reason he doesn't fuck you in the car (and he is this fucking close) is because he knows that he wants to take his time with you. Also, he can get pretty vocal. Also so can you. (anyone would with him jfc) so he keeps his hand on your thigh while he drives. He rubs it, inches it up higher and higher, higher than he ever has outside the bedroom until he's practically fingering you in the passenger seat. Honestly you wouldn't complain if he did. The sound of your flustered, surprised giggle when he pick you up and carries you into your house over his shoulder, all unga bunga like something primal has woken up inside him. And it has. When he lays you down on your bed which is still descheveled from the fun you'd had that morning, when he kisses you like he's hungry and strips you down like he's unwrapping a christmas present, neither of you know what's gotten into him yet. But he knows one thing for damn sure.

There's no way in hell he's pulling out tonight. Or ever again, if he's being honest.

So really, you'll both find out what's gotten into him (and you) in about nine months

[quimiri]

teamfortes :)

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Get Lost: Project Safari, 2025. A restomod series 1 Lotus Elise that has been reimagined as a high-riding safari-style rally car. Features include a custom roof scoop with spare wheel carrier, bespoke rectangular headlights, and a completely redesigned interior. Aside from the addition of a limited-slip differential the project retain's the Elise's mid-engine/rear wheel drive configuration. Get Lost: Project Safari is the first vehicle from Get Lost, with customer builds due to start later this year.

[ghostbsuter]

Danny had been around Gotham for a while.

The crime was never ending, but since Batman's arrival, it had gotten better.

The unmistakably CLANK! From around the corner had him jump, wary now. The man walks around the wall, eyes on the black car with— with Batman's symbol at the front.

A child sitting on the ground with a car tire next to him, the Bat Symbol a stark contrast to the shadows.

"Shit, kid. You're bold to rob Batman." Danny didn't really realise he was speaking until the kid looks up, spooked.

"What the fuck?" The kid was clearly of Gotham breed, yelps with a glare.

"I'm impressed," Danny doesn't give the kid the chance to talk, not with the way the tiny terror seems to be glaring and holding his wrench.

"You're quick, got eyes for details and know how to work around cars."

The suspicion in the kids eyes didn't lessen, having gotten up to press himself against the wall, eyes never leaving Danny.

"Here," Our local spook threw a card on the hood of the car. It was his business card.

"If you need income with far fewer risks than stealing from Batman, call me."

He didn't really wait to see the kids reaction, just leaving, bot before shooting a look into the sky the kid clearly caught.

As danny left, the kid looked at the entrance of the alleyway, back to the car, and then to the card.

They had talked for too long. Jason had to leave now, lest Batman actually caught him.

With one last look to the tires and the car, he leaves eith a scowl.

Just barely missing the man with the cape.