ASE Practice Test (A2: Automatic Transmission/Transaxle)
You're inspecting the color of the fluid in an automatic transmission/transaxle. Which of the following will cause the fluid to be varnished with a light to dark brown color?
Correct answer: Oxidation from overfilling
Oxidation from under or overfilling will cause the fluid to be varnished with a light to dark brown color.
An automatic transmission does not hold in PARK. Technician X says that misadjusted shift linkage could be the cause. Technician Y says that a roller clutch installed backwards could be the cause. Who is right?
Correct answer: X only
Misadjusted shift linkage is the cause of an automatic transmission that does not hold in PARK.
An automatic transaxle loses pressure as it shifts from first to second gear. Technician X says this could be caused by the clutch piston seal. Technician Y says this could be caused by a stuck servo. Who is correct?
Correct answer: X only
Technician X is correct. The cause of an automatic transaxle loses pressure as it shifts from first to second gear is by the clutch piston seal.
Shifting from Neutral to Drive with an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transaxle produces a "shock." Which of these requires an off-vehicle repair?
Correct answer: Forward clutch
The other three repairs can all be done on-vehicle. If you experience shock when shifting through the N to D range, repairing a forward clutch requires off-vehicle repair. To access the forward clutch, you need to remove the front pump first.
The torque converter does which of the following when an engine is removed from a vehicle with an automatic transmission?
Correct answer: Stays with transmission
This is the proper procedure when the transmission is not going to be disassembled. If left on the engine, all of the oil will leak out and make a huge mess.
When it's cold, the transmission slips. Which of these possibly be the cause of the problem?
Correct answer: Low line pressure
The reason why the transmission slips when cold because of the low line pressure.
Hard shifting is the problem with an automatic transmission in a light truck. Technician X says a problem with the accumulator will result in this condition. Technician Y says a sticking restricting orifice/check ball will result in this condition. Who is correct?
Correct answer: Both X and Y
Both technicians are correct. Some reasons why transmission suffers from hard shifting: problem with the accumulator and sticking restricting orifice/check ball.
You intend to diagnose a RWD, electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission that makes an unusual noise while in drive using your diagnostic symptom chart. Technician X believes that the oil pump assembly might the cause and requires an OFF-vehicle procedure. Technician Y states it is the control valve and that requires an OFF-vehicle procedure. Who is correct?
Correct answer: Technician X
Technician X is right. The oil pump assembly might be the diagnostic item and this requires an OFF-vehicle procedure.
Which of the following will an automatic transmission pressure test reveal?
Correct answer: Dirty transmission filter
A dirty filter will cause lower line pressure and the other choices listed will not.
During normal acceleration, the automatic transaxle upshifts harshly. It's possible that the cause is a failure:
Correct answer: throttle position sensor
Failed in throttle position sensor can make the automatic transaxle upshifts harshly during normal acceleration.
All of the following components can prevent the torque converter clutch from applying, except :
Correct answer: the intake air temperature sensor
The intake air temperature sensor is included to prevent the torque converter clutch from applying.
Technician X believes you should listen to the customer’s concerns and find them as described in the online service information. Technician Y thinks that you should pick the symptom that matches the online information the closest based on the customer’s concern. Who is correct?
Correct answer: Technician Y
It’s up to you to pick the symptom from the online service information that matches as close as possible to the concern. Because most customers aren’t familiar with the online service information, they aren’t going to describe the symptoms the same way they are listed.
All of the tests listed below are used to make a preliminary diagnostic on an electronically controlled automatic transmission/transaxle, except:
Correct answer: Flex plate check
Checking the flex plate is not part of the preliminary diagnosis process.
The best technique to pinpoint an oil pressure leak with the transmission pan removed is to:
Correct answer: perform an air pressure test
The best way to pin-point an oil pressure leak is to perform an air pressure test.
About bushing inspection and measurement, all of the following are correct except:
Correct answer: normal bushing clearance is 0.015 to 0.025 inch (0.381 to 0.635 mm).
Normal bushing clearance is 0.015 to 0.025 inch (0.381 to 0.635 mm) is not related about bushing inspection and measurement.
Technician X believes that driveline, suspension and engine problems might look like they were caused by the transmission or transaxle. Technician Y says that you must start with a simple inspection to first ensure there’s nothing overlooked requiring a diagnostic scan tool. Who is correct?
Correct answer: Both X and Y
Both technicians are accurate. Tech X knows that noises and concerns with the driveline and suspension can often appear to come from the transmission or transaxle. To determine if it’s a transmission issue, put it in neutral and see if it changes or disappears. If it goes away, the transmission needs diagnostics. Tech Y is also correct because you should always start with simple inspections to make sure there’s nothing you’ve overlooked and can use a scan tool to get more information.
Technician X says low line pressure on an electronically controlled line pressure can cause the transmission to slip and operate sluggishly. Technician Y says line pressure varies with engine speed. Who is right?
Correct answer: X only
Technician X is correct because low line pressure can cause the transmission to slip and operate sluggishly. Technician Y is wrong because the line pressure should not vary with engine speed. It must remain at a constant level to correctly operate the friction components. It will be lower at idle because of lower RPM as sensed by the TCM or PCM.
Too much automatic transmission shaft end play could be caused by any of the following EXCEPT a worn:
Correct answer: Clutch
Too much automatic transmission shaft end play cannot be caused by the clutch.
All transmission pressures are normal at idle speed, but low at wide open throttle. Technician X says the Throttle Valve (TV) cable may need adjusting. Technician Y says the vacuum modulator may be damaged. Who is right?
Correct answer: Both X and Y
Both technicians are correct. The Throttle Valve (TV) cable may need adjusting and the vacuum modulator may be damaged.
During the stall test, the RPM is lower than specified. Technician X claims that the turbine in the torque converter could be damaged. Technician Y thinks that some of the transmission clutches are slipping. Who is correct?
Correct answer: Neither Technician
Tech X is wrong because a damaged stator one-way clutch would lead to low engine stall speed. It would not cause an inoperative turbine. Tech Y is incorrect because having slipping clutches lead to higher engine stall speeds.
On an electronically controlled automatic transmission, a line pressure testing shows low pressure at idle in all ranges. Which of the following could be the source of the problem?
Correct answer: Oil pump pressure regulator
A problem in the oil pump or oil pump pressure regulator will cause low pressure at idle in all gear ranges.
From a stop, a vehicle with an automatic transaxle and a properly tuned engine accelerates poorly. Above 35 mph, acceleration is normal. Which of these possibly be the source of the problem?
Correct answer: A failed torque converter
A vehicle with an automatic transaxle and a properly tuned engine accelerates poorly from a stop because of a failed torque converter.
A transmission with high pressure in all gears and ranges during a pressure test may be caused by:
Correct answer: a stuck pressure regulator valve
A transmission with high pressure in all gears and ranges during a pressure test caused by a stuck pressure regulator valve.
Technician X believes that many vibration issues are caused by an unbalanced torque converter. Technician Y thinks that vibration problems are the cause of a faulty output shaft. Who is correct?
Correct answer: Both X and Y
It’s true that many vibration problems are the result of an unbalanced torque converter. It’s also true that a faulty output shaft can lead to vibration. This makes both technicians correct.
All of these are industry-standard methods for reprogramming the EEPROM, except:
Correct answer: Indirect programming
Indirect programming does not exist.