State Test – Automatic Transmission

[dave]

In the state of Michigan, all mechanics are required by law to pass a state test before performing automotive work. It is similar to an ASE test, but much cheaper (only $6).

Anywhoo, after the test, I went back to my car and wrote down as much stuff as I could remember. I can remember 36 out of the 55 questions. So here is what I’ve come up with. Maybe it can help some of ya’ll who are trying to get state or ase certified. Feel free to correct me on some of these or just otherwise throw in your two cents:

State Test
Automobile – Automatic Transmission
55 Questions

This is all the stuff that I could remember:

1) In a THM700R4 transmission, what gear is direct drive?
My answer: 3rd Gear

2) What is this mechanic doing? (Has a feeler gage between a geroter-type oil pump and the case?)
My guess: measuring oil pump clearance?

3) What is this mechanic doing? (has a ‘snap gage’ at the end of a splined shaft coming from the torque converter; the “transmission input shaft”)
My guess: measuring bushing wear?

4) What is the most likely cause of no forward gears or reverse working?
My answer: very low oil pressure

5) If the transmission cooler lines had to be cut during a rebuild, what is the best method of putting them back together?
a) piece of hose with hose clamps
b) piece of high pressure line with hose clamps
c) brass compression fittings (my answer)
d) none of the above

6) During a rebuild, it is best to:
a) re-use old transmission cooling lines
b) install new cooling lines
c) flush the lines (my answer)

7) What is the name of the component shown below? (A diagram with a bunch of parts that appears to be a clutch pack)
My answer: clutch pack

8 ) The transmission is low of fluid, but no leak can be identified below the transmission. Where is the most likely place of the leak?
My answer: vacuum diaphram

9) There were a bunch of questions concerning delayed upshifts/downshifts, and poor takeoff performance vs. good cruise performance. I don’t remember the questions exactly, but be down with this stuff.

10) Under what condition will the TCC disengage?
a) passing gear
b) hard acceleration
c) coasting (my answer)
d) none of the above

11) What is average mainline pressure while in ‘Drive’ and sitting at idle?
a) 30-45 psi
b) 50-70 psi
c) 80-95 psi (my guess)
d) 100-125 psi

12) What is the most likely cause of chocolate milkshake looking transmission fluid?
a) transmission overfilled
b) bad clutches
c) worn planetary gears
d) aerated fluid (my guess)

13) If two members of a planetary gear set are held together:
My answer: the output will spin in the same direction as the input

14) Know what the ouputs are of a simple planetary gear set if one member is held (reaction member) and another member is driven (input.) This can be studied on pg. #1558 and #1559 in the new book. There will be at least two questions on this:
What is the result if the sun gear is held and the planet carrier is the input?
My answer: overdrive

What is the result if the planet carrier is held and the sun gear is driven?
My answer: reverse

15) What is the most likely cause of a car not being able to shift out of first?
My answer: defective governor

16) What is the mostly likely cause of a car not being able to shift back into first?
My guess: defective governor

17) What is the most likely cause of all forward gears shift fine but reverse gear slips?
My answer: worn sprag clutch

18) What are the first signs of a clogged transmission filter that you would notice?
a) delayed shifting
b) slipping (my guess)

19) The throttle valve, governor valve, and pressure regulator are all located in the:
My answer: valve body

20) What is the mostly likely cause of a transmission that slips when cold but is otherwise fine at operating temperature ?
My answer: bad seals

21) Transmission shifts late, what do you check first?
My answer: vacuum modulator

22) What is the best way to remove a burr from a torque converter hub?
a) file
b) wire wheel
c) crocus cloth (my guess)
d) none of the above

23) What components are applied in a common 3 speed transmission to provide first gear?
My answer: forward clutch & intermediate band

24) What is the result of a applied forward clutch and direct drive clutch in a common automatic transmission?
My answer: direct drive

25) When transmission temperature is cold:
a) the fluid level will be lower than normal
b) the fluid level will read the same as hot fluid
c) the fluid level will read correctly as long as the vehicle is level regardless of temperature (my answer)
d) cold fluid level will vary depending on the vehicle

26) Know the relationship between engine load, engine vacuum, and modulator valve pressure.

27) Torque converter multiplies engine torque by:
My answer: double

28) Most likely cause of pink/gummy fluid?
My answer: coolant leak

29) What is the most likely symptom of low transmission fluid?
My answer: i forgot

30) There is one question with a shift chart, kinda like what you’d see on pg. #1582 in the new book. It was an easy question and the question was something like “transmission does not shift into 4th gear, what is the most likely cause?” and my answer was “B0” or “Band 0 failure.”

31) There were at least 3 questions concerning ‘end play’, I believe one of them was something like “What is one way to adjust [some wacky shaft] endlplay?

My guess: adjust the number of cluthes and steels. another possible answer had something to do with adding shims.

32) A transmission band is glazed, what is the proper repair?
a) replace the band (my guess)
b) rough up the drum with sand paper
c) A & B
d) none of the above

33) How are clutches applied in an automatic transmission?
My answer: Hydraulically applied piston

34) A transaxle is:
a) is bolted directly to the differential
b) contains the differential assembly inside the transmission case (my guess)
c) is exclusively front-wheel drive
d) is not vented

35) after removing the transmission, what should be the next step?
My guess: measure input shaft clearance?

36) transmission has a hard time shifting, what should be the first test you should make?
My guess: pressure test

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Attachments:

• stateautotranstest.txt

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