Question 1

Which of the following is not a component of a typical torque converter?

Accepted Answer

All three components listed (turbine, impeller, and stator) are typically included in a torque converter.

Question 2

Technician A says the flexplate must be flexible enough to allow the front of the converter to move forward and backward if it expands or contracts due to heat or pressure. Technician B says the torque converter's rear hub is bolted to the flexplate. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Technician A is correct because the flexplate does need to have some flexibility to accommodate movements of the torque converter due to thermal expansion or pressure changes. Technician B is incorrect because the torque converter's rear hub is not bolted to the flexplate; instead, the torque converter bolts to the flexplate around its perimeter, allowing it to transmit engine torque to the transmission.

Question 3

Which of the following is the fluid coupling that connects the engine's crankshaft to the transmission's input shaft.

Accepted Answer

The fluid coupling that connects the engine's crankshaft to the transmission's input shaft is the torque converter. The solenoid converter is not a type of fluid coupling, the stator is a component inside the torque converter, and the clutch assembly connects the transmission output shaft to the drive shaft.

Question 4

Technician A says all automatic transmissions use a torque converter to transfer power from the engine to the transmission. Technician B says some automatic transmissions use a torque converter to transfer power from the engine to the transmission.

Accepted Answer

Technician B is correct because while many automatic transmissions use a torque converter, there are also automatic transmissions, such as dual-clutch transmissions (DCTs), that do not use a torque converter but instead use a clutch system similar to manual transmissions.

Question 5

Technician A says that CVTs offer an infinite number of gear ratios. Technician B says that CVTs allow the engine to always operate at its most efficient rpm. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Both technicians are correct. CVTs do offer an infinite number of gear ratios, which allows for smooth acceleration and better fuel efficiency. Additionally, CVTs allow the engine to always operate at its most efficient rpm, which further improves fuel economy.

Question 6

Which of the following is not true of a torque converter?

Accepted Answer

All of the given statements about a torque converter are true, making D the correct answer.

Question 7

Technician A says most late-model GM transmissions feature their Electronic Controlled Capacity Clutch (ECCC) system. Technician B says the ECCC allows for a variable amount of clutch slippage. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Both technicians are correct. The Electronic Controlled Capacity Clutch (ECCC) system is featured in most late-model GM transmissions, and it allows for a variable amount of clutch slippage.

Question 8

Technician A says that late-model Hondas and Acuras use a four-speed transmission. Technician B says that in late-model Hondas and Acuras partial lock-up of the converter clutch is not allowed. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Late-model Hondas and Acuras often use transmissions with more than four speeds, such as five-speed, six-speed, or continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), not just four-speed transmissions. Additionally, partial lock-up of the converter clutch is allowed and used in these vehicles to improve fuel efficiency and performance, contradicting both technicians' statements.

Question 9

Technician A says a drive chain is used in some transaxles to connect converter output with the transaxle input shaft. Technician B says the torque converter is mounted in line with the transmission's input shaft. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Technician A is correct because in some transaxle designs, a drive chain is indeed used to connect the torque converter output with the transaxle input shaft, allowing for the transmission of power within the system. Technician B is also correct because the torque converter is typically mounted in line with the transmission's input shaft in automatic transmissions, serving as a fluid coupling that transfers rotating power from the engine to the transmission.

Question 10

Technician A says that the late model Chrysler EMCC and the late model GM ECCC are similar in design and have similar operating characteristics. Technician B says that on Chryslers Converter Controls 62TE the converter clutch is never engaged during first-gear operation. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Both technicians are correct. Technician A is correct in stating that the late model Chrysler EMCC (Electronically Modulated Converter Clutch) and the late model GM ECCC (Electronic Converter Clutch Control) have similar designs and operating characteristics, as both systems are designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce heat by controlling the lock-up of the torque converter clutch electronically. Technician B is correct in stating that on Chrysler's 62TE transmission, the converter clutch is never engaged during first-gear operation, which is a design choice to improve drivability and smoothness at low speeds.

Question 11

Technician A says that most vehicles that use CVTs do not use a torque converter. Technician B says that the diameter of the drive and driven pulleys does not change and this provides for a constant gear ratio. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Technician A is correct because many vehicles with Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) do not use a traditional torque converter; instead, they rely on a different mechanism for torque transfer. Technician B is incorrect because the diameters of the drive and driven pulleys in a CVT do change, allowing for a variable, not constant, gear ratio.

Question 12

Which of the following CVT components is used in place of a torque converter.

Accepted Answer

An internal start clutch is used in some CVT designs in place of a torque converter to connect the engine to the transmission, allowing for smoother starts and improved efficiency.

Question 13

Technician A says excessive pressure in the torque converter will cause a torque converter to balloon. Technician B damage to the pump can be the result of a ballooned torque converter. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Excessive pressure in the torque converter can cause it to balloon, and damage to the pump can be a result of a ballooned torque converter. Therefore, both Technician A and Technician B are correct.

Question 14

Technician A says in order to force TCC lock-up, an automatic transaxle uses a solenoid. Technician B says two hollow shafts from the transmission splined to separate gear set members in the converter are found in an automatic transaxle. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Both technicians are correct. Technician A is referring to the TCC (torque converter clutch) solenoid that is used to apply and release the lock-up clutch in order to improve fuel economy and reduce heat generation. Technician B is describing the twin hollow shafts found in the converter of an automatic transaxle, which provide a pathway for transmission fluid to pass between the pump and turbine while still allowing the input and output shafts to rotate independently.

Question 15

While discussing GM torque converters: Technician A says the TCC assembly allows for a mechanical link between the impeller and the turbine. Technician B says this is true during all gear ranges except Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive Range-First Gear. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Both technicians are correct. The TCC (torque converter clutch) assembly allows for a mechanical link between the impeller and the turbine during all gear ranges except for Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive Range-First Gear.

Question 16

Vortex fluid flow provides for which of the following scenarios?

Accepted Answer

Vortex fluid flow provides for torque multiplication, where a vortex chamber is used to increase the torque output of a fluid by reducing its rotational speed. This is commonly used in gearboxes and other mechanical systems to increase power output without increasing the size or weight of the system. It is not directly related to stall speed, high turbine speed, or high impeller speed.

Question 17

Technician A says to replace the converter if it has signs of being overheated. Technician B says excessive hub runout is not a reason to replace the converter. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Technician A is correct, as an overheated converter can become damaged and cause further transmission problems. Technician B is incorrect, as excessive hub runout can cause vibration and torque converter shudder, which may require replacement of the converter.

Question 18

Technician A says the application of hydraulic pressure on the clutch will cause nearly all converter clutches to engage. Technician B says electrical malfunctions always result in torque converter clutch control problems. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Technician A is correct because applying hydraulic pressure on the clutch will indeed cause most converter clutches to engage. Technician B is incorrect because not all torque converter clutch control problems are caused by electrical malfunctions.

Question 19

Technician A says during the operation of the stator, only a portion of the fluid returning from the turbine to the impeller passes through the stator. Technician B says when the stator is in operation, it redirects the fluid leaving the turbine back to the impeller. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Technician B is correct. The stator redirects the fluid leaving the turbine back to the impeller, which helps to increase efficiency and power output. Technician A's statement is incorrect because the fluid passing through the stator is not just a portion of the returning fluid but rather all of the fluid leaving the turbine.

Question 20

Technician A says when the transmission is in gear, the fluid coupling allows the vehicle to stop without stalling. Technician B says this is because the impeller doesn't rotate fast enough to drive the turbine. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Both technicians are correct. Technician A is correct in stating that the fluid coupling allows the vehicle to stop without stalling because it can slip when necessary, such as when the vehicle is stopped while in gear. Technician B is correct in explaining that this is due to the impeller not rotating fast enough to drive the turbine, which allows for the necessary slippage to prevent the engine from stalling.

Quiz 6: Torque Converters and Oil Pumps