Automatic Transmission Troubleshooting: Learn to Diagnose and Fix Transmission Problems

Question 1

Which component is not typically found in an automatic transmission system?

Accepted Answer

Differential

Answer

Torque converter

Answer

Planetary gear set

Answer

Hydraulic control unit

Question 2

Which symptom is characteristic of a problem with the torque converter?

Accepted Answer

Slipping or shuddering during gear changes

Answer

Difficulty engaging gears

Answer

Excessive noise from the transmission

Answer

Leaking fluid from the transmission pan

Question 3

What is the primary function of the transmission control module (TCM)?

Accepted Answer

To control shifting and lockup of the torque converter

Answer

To regulate transmission fluid pressure

Answer

To monitor engine performance

Answer

To provide power to the transmission components

Question 4

Which diagnostic tool is most commonly used to identify electrical faults in an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

Scan tool

Answer

Voltmeter

Answer

Pressure gauge

Answer

Stroboscopic light

Question 5

When troubleshooting a harsh shift, which component should be inspected first?

Accepted Answer

Valve body

Answer

Solenoids

Answer

Governor

Answer

Torque converter

Question 6

What is the purpose of a planetary gear set in an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

To provide multiple gear ratios

Answer

To reverse the direction of rotation

Answer

To transmit power from the engine to the wheels

Answer

To control the flow of transmission fluid

Question 7

Which type of automatic transmission employs a planetary gear set and clutches to transmit power and offer different gear ratios?

Accepted Answer

Planetary Gear Set Transmission

Answer

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Answer

Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT)

Answer

Toroidal Transmission

Question 8

Which of the following is an early indication of a slipping transmission?

Accepted Answer

Delayed or inconsistent gear engagement

Answer

Increased fuel consumption

Answer

Overheating engine

Answer

Excessive noise during operation

Question 9

Define the torque converter and its location within an automatic transmission system.

Accepted Answer

A fluid coupling that transfers power from the engine to the transmission, situated between the engine and transmission.

Answer

A planetary gearset that alters gear ratios, housed within the transmission casing.

Answer

A clutch pack that engages and disengages the transmission, found at the rear of the transmission.

Answer

A hydraulic pump that supplies pressure to the transmission, positioned on the side of the transmission casing.

Question 10

Describe the primary function of a governor in an automatic transmission system.

Accepted Answer

Determining the timing of gear shifts

Answer

Regulating transmission fluid pressure

Answer

Lubricating transmission components

Answer

Cooling the transmission fluid

Question 11

Which diagnostic tool is utilized to measure transmission fluid pressure accurately?

Accepted Answer

Pressure gauge

Answer

Multimeter

Answer

Compression gauge

Answer

Scan tool

Question 12

Identify the type of fluid commonly used in automatic transmission systems.

Accepted Answer

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)

Answer

Brake fluid

Answer

Power steering fluid

Answer

Engine oil

Question 13

Describe the primary function of a planetary gearset within an automatic transmission system.

Accepted Answer

Altering gear ratios

Answer

Transmitting power from the engine to the wheels

Answer

Regulating transmission fluid pressure

Answer

Cooling the transmission fluid

Question 14

Identify a common symptom associated with worn clutch packs in an automatic transmission system.

Accepted Answer

Slipping or shuddering during gear engagement

Answer

Transmission fluid leaks

Answer

Excessive noise during operation

Answer

Difficulty shifting gears

Question 15

Which driving habit can significantly shorten the lifespan of an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

Frequent towing

Answer

Regular fluid changes

Answer

Smooth acceleration

Answer

Avoiding sudden stops

Question 16

A common symptom of a slipping clutch in an automatic transmission is:

Accepted Answer

Difficulty accelerating or climbing hills

Answer

Erratic or untimely transmission shifting

Answer

Low transmission fluid level

Answer

Grinding noise during gear changes

Question 17

The primary purpose of a torque converter in an automatic transmission is to:

Accepted Answer

Increase torque and facilitate smooth gear engagement.

Answer

Convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.

Answer

Lubricate transmission components.

Answer

Provide a neutral zone between the engine and transmission.

Question 18

The type of fluid typically used in automatic transmissions is:

Accepted Answer

Transmission fluid

Answer

Brake fluid

Answer

Motor oil

Answer

Coolant

Question 19

The purpose of a transmission filter is to:

Accepted Answer

Remove contaminants from transmission fluid

Answer

Provide lubrication for transmission components

Answer

Regulate fluid pressure

Answer

Prevent gear wear

Question 20

The function of a planetary gearset in an automatic transmission is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide multiple gear ratios

Answer

Transmit power from the engine to the wheels

Answer

Change gears smoothly

Answer

Lubricate transmission components

Question 21

What is the primary function of a governor within an automatic transmission system?

Accepted Answer

Control shift points and transmission fluid pressure

Answer

Convert engine torque to rotational motion

Answer

Provide lubrication to moving parts

Answer

Engage gears according to driver input

Question 22

Identify the type of sensor responsible for monitoring engine speed and relaying this information to the transmission computer.

Accepted Answer

Input/output speed sensor

Answer

Vehicle speed sensor

Answer

Neutral safety switch

Answer

Intake air temperature sensor

Question 23

What is the primary objective of draining and replacing transmission fluid?

Accepted Answer

Remove contaminants and replenish lubricants

Answer

Adjust transmission pressure

Answer

Reset transmission computer settings

Answer

Clear diagnostic trouble codes

Question 24

Which of the following is not a recognized type of automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

Manual

Answer

Conventional

Answer

Continuously variable

Answer

Dual-clutch

Question 25

What is the primary function of the transmission filter?

Accepted Answer

Remove contaminants from transmission fluid

Answer

Regulate transmission fluid pressure

Answer

Cool transmission fluid

Answer

Lubricate moving components

Question 26

Which sensor is responsible for detecting transmission fluid level and providing a warning when fluid levels are low?

Accepted Answer

Transmission fluid level sensor

Answer

Neutral safety switch

Answer

Park/neutral position sensor

Answer

Input/output speed sensor

Question 27

Which of the following symptoms is commonly indicative of a torque converter problem?

Accepted Answer

Slipping clutch

Answer

Delayed gear shifting

Answer

Harsh shifting

Answer

Loss of reverse gear functionality

Question 28

What is the primary diagnostic tool used to measure fluid pressure within an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

Pressure gauge

Answer

Ohmmeter

Answer

Diagnostic scanner

Answer

Voltage tester

Question 29

What is the primary function of a governor in an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

To regulate transmission speed

Answer

To facilitate smooth gear shifting

Answer

To provide lubrication

Answer

To filter transmission fluid

Question 30

What is the most prevalent cause of transmission slippage?

Accepted Answer

Worn clutch packs

Answer

Low transmission fluid level

Answer

Faulty torque converter

Answer

Damaged gears

Question 31

Which sensor measures the temperature of the transmission fluid and relays this information to the transmission control module (TCM)?

Accepted Answer

Transmission fluid temperature sensor

Answer

Input speed sensor

Answer

Output speed sensor

Answer

Throttle position sensor

Question 32

What is the primary purpose of the transmission governor?

Accepted Answer

To control the speed of the transmission's output shaft

Answer

To regulate fluid pressure within the transmission

Answer

To provide lubrication for the transmission components

Answer

To activate solenoids

Question 33

Which component is responsible for generating hydraulic pressure within the transmission?

Accepted Answer

Transmission pump

Answer

Valve body

Answer

Solenoids

Answer

Torque converter

Question 34

What is the primary cause of burned clutches in an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

Excessive clutch slipping

Answer

Insufficient fluid level

Answer

Faulty shift solenoids

Answer

Worn brake bands

Question 35

The primary purpose of the transmission fluid filter is to:

Accepted Answer

Remove contaminants from the fluid

Answer

Provide lubrication to transmission components

Answer

Cool the transmission fluid

Answer

Regulate fluid pressure

Question 36

Which type of automatic transmission uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) system, enabling smooth gear ratio changes?

Accepted Answer

CVT transmission

Answer

Epicyclic transmission

Answer

Dual-clutch transmission

Answer

Automated manual transmission

Question 37

Which of the following is a common symptom of a torque converter clutch problem?

Accepted Answer

Slipping or shuddering during acceleration

Answer

Vehicle not moving in any gear

Answer

Harsh shifts

Answer

No reverse gear

Question 38

The primary purpose of a governor pressure solenoid in an automatic transmission is to:

Accepted Answer

Regulates hydraulic pressure to control shift timing

Answer

Controls fluid flow to the valve body

Answer

Provides lubrication to the transmission components

Question 39

The planetary gearset in an automatic transmission is responsible for providing:

Accepted Answer

Multiple gear ratios and torque multiplication

Answer

Controlling the flow of fluid through the transmission

Answer

Transmitting power from the engine to the wheels

Question 40

Which diagnostic tool is most commonly used to read and interpret transmission fault codes?

Accepted Answer

OBD-II scanner

Answer

Multimeter

Answer

Compression gauge

Question 41

The main function of the transmission fluid cooler is to:

Accepted Answer

Dissipates heat generated by the transmission

Answer

Provides hydraulic pressure for transmission operation

Answer

Filters contaminants from the transmission fluid

Answer

Stores transmission fluid for lubrication

Question 42

In an automatic transmission, the accumulator primarily serves to:

Accepted Answer

Dampen shock and provide a smooth transition during gear shifts

Answer

Control the flow of fluid to the hydraulic system

Answer

Act as a reservoir for excess transmission fluid

Answer

Provide lubrication to the transmission components

Question 43

Which of the following symptoms is a common indication of a malfunctioning torque converter in an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

Excessive heat buildup and shuddering during gear changes

Answer

Slipping gears and difficulty shifting

Answer

Loud grinding noises when engaging transmission

Question 44

Which component is primarily responsible for regulating the pressure of the transmission fluid in an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

Pressure regulator valve

Answer

Shift solenoid

Answer

Transmission filter

Answer

Governor

Question 45

Which diagnostic tool is specifically designed to measure and analyze the electronic signals in an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

Scan tool

Answer

Multimeter

Answer

Stroboscopic light

Answer

Pressure gauge

Question 46

What is the primary function of the governor in an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

To control the timing of gear shifts based on vehicle speed

Answer

To filter contaminants from transmission fluid

Answer

To engage and disengage clutches

Answer

To regulate transmission fluid pressure

Question 47

What is the purpose of the transmission filter in an automatic transmission?

Accepted Answer

To remove contaminants and debris from the transmission fluid

Answer

To regulate the flow of fluid within the transmission

Answer

To cool the transmission fluid

Answer

To provide lubrication for transmission gears

Question 48

The shift lever in an automatic transmission is used to:

Accepted Answer

Select the desired gear

Answer

Control the flow of transmission fluid

Answer

Engage and disengage the transmission

Answer

Regulate transmission pressure

Question 49

A crucial step in troubleshooting automatic transmission problems involves:

Accepted Answer

Collecting detailed information about symptoms and vehicle history

Answer

Guessing the cause without proper investigation

Answer

Replacing the transmission immediately

Question 50

To read trouble codes from the transmission control module (TCM), you would use:

Accepted Answer

OBD-II scanner

Answer

Multimeter

Answer

Pressure gauge

Answer

Voltmeter

Question 51

The recommended transmission fluid for most modern automatic transmissions is:

Accepted Answer

Dexron or Mercon

Answer

ATF+3

Answer

SAE 10W

Answer

Hydraulic fluid

Question 52

The transmission filter serves to:

Accepted Answer

Remove contaminants from transmission fluid

Answer

Lubricate transmission components

Answer

Control fluid pressure

Answer

Cool the transmission fluid

Question 53

The primary cause of transmission overheating is:

Accepted Answer

Low transmission fluid level

Answer

Faulty solenoid

Answer

Improper gear selection

Answer

Worn bearings

Question 54

Which of the following is a benefit of using a CVT transmission?

Accepted Answer

Improved fuel economy

Answer

Increased torque capacity

Answer

Lower maintenance costs

Answer

Faster acceleration

Question 55

What is the purpose of the transmission cooler?

Accepted Answer

Dissipate heat from transmission fluid

Answer

Store transmission fluid

Answer

Lubricate transmission components