ASE ASE Automatic Transmission and Transaxle 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of the governor assembly in an older hydraulically controlled automatic transmission?
- It regulates line pressure based on engine load
- It provides a vehicle-speed-sensitive signal to allow upshifts (Correct answer)
- It controls the apply pressure to the clutch packs
- It monitors transmission fluid temperature
Correct answer: It provides a vehicle-speed-sensitive signal to allow upshifts
The governor produces a hydraulic signal that increases with vehicle speed, signaling the valve body to allow upshifts at the appropriate speed.
Question 2: Milky or foamy automatic transmission fluid MOST likely indicates:
- Normal oxidation from heat
- Water or coolant contamination (Correct answer)
- Incorrect fluid type was used
- Air being drawn in through a cracked pan gasket
Correct answer: Water or coolant contamination
Milky or foamy ATF indicates water or coolant has mixed with the fluid, often caused by a leaking transmission oil cooler inside the radiator.
Question 3: A transmission has normal operation in all forward gears but no reverse. Technician A says a low-reverse band could be worn. Technician B says the reverse clutch pack could be faulty. Who is correct?
- Technician A only
- Technician B only
- Both Technician A and B (Correct answer)
- Neither Technician A nor B
Correct answer: Both Technician A and B
Both the low-reverse band and the reverse clutch pack are applied to achieve reverse gear, so failure of either can result in no reverse.
Question 4: When performing a stall speed test on an automatic transmission, a stall speed that is LOWER than specification indicates:
- A slipping clutch or band
- A faulty torque converter stator one-way clutch (Correct answer)
- Low line pressure
- A plugged transmission filter
Correct answer: A faulty torque converter stator one-way clutch
A stall speed below specification means the torque converter cannot multiply torque properly, which points to a faulty stator one-way clutch that is freewheeling in both directions.
Question 5: An electronically controlled automatic transmission sets a code for an input speed sensor rationality fault. What symptom would MOST likely accompany this code?
- Engine runs rough at idle
- Harsh or erratic shifts (Correct answer)
- No reverse gear
- Transmission stuck in park
Correct answer: Harsh or erratic shifts
The input speed sensor tells the TCM how fast the turbine shaft is spinning; a rationality fault means the TCM cannot accurately calculate gear ratio, causing harsh or erratic shifts.
Question 6: What is the correct procedure to check automatic transmission fluid level on most vehicles that use a traditional dipstick?
- Check fluid cold with engine off
- Check fluid at operating temperature with engine running in Park (Correct answer)
- Check fluid hot with engine off for 5 minutes
- Check fluid cold with engine running in Neutral
Correct answer: Check fluid at operating temperature with engine running in Park
ATF level should be checked at normal operating temperature with the engine running in Park so the fluid is circulating and the torque converter is filled.
ASE ASE Automatic Transmission and Transaxle 2
What is the purpose of the governor assembly in an older hydraulically controlled automatic transmission?