Mixed Deck — All ASE A2 Topics Flashcards

When inspecting a planetary carrier assembly, a technician checks pinion gear end play by inserting a feeler gauge between each pinion and the carrier. What does a reading above specification indicate?

Answer: The pinion thrust washers or carrier are worn and the assembly should be replaced or repaired

Excess pinion end play means the thrust surfaces or the carrier are worn beyond limits. The assembly needs repair or replacement.

During inspection of a clutch drum, a technician finds that the check ball in the piston area is stuck in its seat. What problem can this cause?

Answer: The clutch may drag because residual fluid is not released from the apply chamber

The check ball opens to dump trapped fluid when apply pressure drops. If it sticks, centrifugal pressure may keep the clutch partly applied.

While inspecting a gear-type oil pump, a technician needs to measure gear end clearance. Which method is correct?

Answer: Lay a straightedge across the pump body and measure the gap to the gear face with a feeler gauge

End clearance is the gap between the gear face and a straightedge laid on the pump body. A feeler gauge measures that gap, and the reading is compared to specification.

While a technician slowly moves the throttle from closed to wide open, the scan tool throttle position value drops to zero for an instant at one point in the sweep and then recovers. The transmission shows harsh, erratic shifts. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: A worn spot in the throttle position sensor resistance track

A smooth sensor should give a continuous, gradual signal. A momentary dropout points to a worn spot or open in the sensor's resistive track.

When air testing an assembled clutch drum by directing compressed air into its apply passage, which result points to a failed piston seal?

Answer: Air escapes with a hiss and the piston moves weakly or not at all

If the piston seals leak, air escapes and the piston cannot build enough force to move. A good clutch applies with a dull thud and releases when air is removed.

While checking fluid on a torque converter automatic, a technician finds the fluid on the dipstick is pink and milky. Which is the most likely cause?

Answer: Coolant entering the fluid through a leaking transmission cooler in the radiator

A milky, pink appearance indicates water or coolant contamination, commonly from an internal leak in the cooler inside the radiator tank. Overfill leads to foaming, not a milky color caused by coolant.

A technician is checking the fluid level on a vehicle with a transmission dipstick, and the manufacturer's procedure does not specify anything unusual. Which condition is the usual requirement for the check?

Answer: Engine idling, transmission at normal operating temperature, vehicle level, selector in Park

The usual dipstick procedure is a level vehicle with the engine idling, the fluid at normal operating temperature, and the selector in Park (or as the manufacturer specifies). Reading the level under other conditions gives a false reading.

A technician is installing an automatic transmission on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. After sliding the converter onto the input shaft and stator support, which check best confirms the converter is fully seated in the pump before the transmission is raised to the engine?

Answer: The converter drive lugs or studs sit slightly behind the bell housing mounting face when checked with a straightedge

Measuring the converter lugs or studs against the bell housing face with a straightedge shows whether the hub is fully engaged with the pump drive gear. If the lugs sit proud of the specification, the converter is not seated.

A vehicle clunks and the engine visibly rocks each time the shifter is moved from Park to Drive. The transmission shifts normally otherwise. Which component should be inspected first?

Answer: Powertrain mounts

Excessive engine movement at engagement points to worn or broken engine or transmission mounts.

A technician uses scan tool data to divide turbine (input) speed by output shaft speed while the transmission is commanded into a gear. What is the main reason for this calculation?

Answer: To compare the actual gear ratio with the expected ratio and detect internal clutch or band slippage

The input-to-output speed ratio gives the actual gear ratio, which can be compared to the specified ratio for the commanded gear. A mismatch indicates slip in an apply element.

After installing a band with an external adjusting screw, what is the correct adjustment procedure?

Answer: Torque the screw to specification, then back it off the exact number of turns specified and tighten the lock nut

Bands are adjusted by torquing the adjusting screw to specification and then backing it off the specified number of turns before locking it.

Which tools are used to accurately measure the inside diameter of a transmission bushing so it can be compared to specification?

Answer: A telescoping gauge and an outside micrometer

A telescoping gauge is set inside the bushing and then measured with a micrometer, which gives the inside diameter.

A transmission that recently had a major internal failure is being fitted with a replacement unit. What should be done to the external cooler and lines?

Answer: Flush and flow-test them per the manufacturer, and replace the cooler if it cannot be cleaned

Debris trapped in the cooler can destroy the new unit, so the cooler must be flushed and flow-tested or replaced.

A customer says the transmission "slams" into gear only after the vehicle sits overnight. What should the technician do FIRST, before ordering parts or removing the transmission?

Answer: Verify the concern by duplicating it, then check fluid level and condition and scan for DTCs

A concern must be verified by duplicating it under the reported conditions, along with basic checks of fluid and stored codes, before any repair is chosen. Replacing parts or reflashing without verification is guessing.

A technician measures clutch pack clearance with a feeler gauge between the pressure plate and the snap ring and finds it greater than specification. Which correction is appropriate?

Answer: Install a thicker selective snap ring or pressure plate

A thicker snap ring or pressure plate takes up space in the stack and reduces clearance. A thinner one would increase it.

Why must new clutch friction plates be soaked in the specified ATF before assembly?

Answer: To saturate the lining so it does not scuff or burn on its first engagements

Soaking saturates the lining with fluid so it is lubricated and cooled from the first apply. Dry plates can scuff or burn before fluid reaches them.

A technician measures transmission input or output shaft end play with a dial indicator mounted on the case. If end play is outside specification and the unit uses selective parts, how is it normally corrected?

Answer: Change to a selective thrust washer or spacer of different thickness

End play is adjusted with a selective thrust washer or spacer in the correct thickness. The dial indicator measurement determines which size is needed.

A technician replaces a valve body and clutch pack during an overhaul and the new components shift harshly even though no DTCs are stored and the pressure control solenoid tests good. What should the technician do next?

Answer: Clear the old adaptive values and perform the manufacturer's adaptive learn procedure

Adaptive shift strategies store correction values for the old clutch wear. After mechanical repairs these must be reset and relearned.

Which statement correctly describes a Hall-effect input speed sensor used in an electronically controlled transmission?

Answer: It requires a supply voltage and produces a digital on/off signal

Hall-effect sensors contain electronics that need a reference or battery supply and output a square-wave digital signal.

Which test equipment is best for observing the waveform from a permanent-magnet (variable reluctance) output speed sensor, including amplitude and signal dropouts at low speed?

Answer: A digital storage oscilloscope

A DSO shows the AC waveform's amplitude, frequency, and any dropouts or noise over time, which a DMM average reading cannot show.