Question 1

Technician A says that automatic transmissions will change gear ratios based upon winter weather conditions. Technician B says that on a vehicle with traction control, the transmission will change shift programming to reduce wheel spin. Who is correct?
A) Technician A
B) Technician B
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Accepted Answer

Technician B is correct because vehicles with traction control systems can adjust transmission shift programming to help reduce wheel spin, especially in slippery conditions. Technician A is incorrect as automatic transmissions do not change gear ratios based solely on winter weather conditions.

Question 2

In a fully electronically controlled automatic transmission, the shift points are controlled by hydraulic and mechanical devices such as springs and valves.

Accepted Answer

In a fully electronically controlled automatic transmission, shift points are managed by electronic control units (ECUs) using sensors and actuators, not by hydraulic and mechanical devices.

Question 3

If the transmission oil is hot, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may decrease line pressure to compensate for internal leaks, as thinner oil flows past valves and seals more easily.

Accepted Answer

The PCM typically increases line pressure when the transmission oil is hot to maintain proper function and compensate for the reduced viscosity of the oil.

Question 4

Most modern vehicles cannot identify and adapt to a driver's individual style and to environmental conditions.

Accepted Answer

Many modern vehicles are equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and artificial intelligence that can learn and adapt to a driver's style and environmental conditions to enhance safety and performance.

Question 5

What information is provided via the anti-lock brake sensors that may confirm poor tire traction, and a winter shift program can be initiated by the PCM on a vehicle with traction control?
A) Split Coefficient Determination
B) Wheel Slip Monitoring
C) Vehicle Deceleration Rate
D) Brake Lining Temperature Calculation

Accepted Answer

Wheel slip monitoring helps in detecting poor tire traction, allowing the PCM to initiate a winter shift program to improve vehicle control.

Question 6

Which of the following actions enhances traction and the stability of motion of the vehicle in slippery conditions?
A) Decreasing line pressure
B) Torque converter clutch engagement
C) Selecting the appropriate gear ratio
D) Increasing line pressure

Accepted Answer

Selecting the appropriate gear ratio helps maintain better control and stability by providing the right amount of power and torque to the wheels, which is crucial in slippery conditions.

Question 7

Identification of an environment means identifying unusual ambient conditions in which the vehicle is operating.

Accepted Answer

Identifying an environment involves recognizing any atypical or unique conditions that could affect the operation of a vehicle, such as weather, terrain, or other external factors.

Question 8

Technician A says the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) cannot identify and adapt to environmental conditions. Technician B says the first step in a PCM's fault detection system is a basic circuit test. Who is correct?
A) Technician A
B) Technician B
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Accepted Answer

The PCM can identify and adapt to environmental conditions, so Technician A is incorrect. Technician B is correct because the first step in a PCM's fault detection system is typically a basic circuit test to ensure all components are functioning properly.

Question 9

Slippery conditions require a _______ that enhances traction and the stability of motion of the vehicle.
A) Shift solenoid
B) Gear ratio
C) Fast apply clutch
D) Torque converter clutch

Accepted Answer

A gear ratio can be adjusted to enhance traction and stability by optimizing the power delivery to the wheels, which is crucial in slippery conditions.

Question 10

Technician A says that to prevent adaptive transmission shifting concerns when servicing the battery, a memory saver should be used. Technician B says that when performing a battery service, the customer must be advised that the adaptive memory was lost and the vehicle will relearn transmission shifting after driving it for a few days. Who is correct?
A) Technician A
B) Technician B
C) Both technicians
D) Neither technician

Accepted Answer

Using a memory saver can prevent the loss of adaptive memory, but if it is not used, the customer should be informed that the vehicle will need to relearn transmission shifting. Both technicians are correct in their statements.

Question 11

Most vehicle manufacturers have integrated the Powertrain Control Module into the Transmission Control Module.

Accepted Answer

Most vehicle manufacturers have separate Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) and Transmission Control Modules (TCM), although some may integrate them for specific models or purposes.

Question 12

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) have memory that contains the software for the computer. Which of the following is also retained in memory in these modules?
A) DTCs
B) Freeze-frame data
C) Learned data
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

The PCM and TCM retain Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), freeze-frame data, and learned data in their memory to help diagnose and adapt to vehicle performance issues.

Question 13

Which of the following statements are True about the input sensor section of the PCM?
A) It is responsible for sending the proper reference voltage to many of the sensors
B) It receives the sensor signals and processes them into information that the main computer processor can use
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Accepted Answer

The input sensor section of the PCM both sends the proper reference voltage to sensors and processes the signals received from them into usable information for the main computer processor.

Question 14

Which of the following sends either simple on/off signals or pulse-width-modulated signals to the actuators, depending on the actuator being controlled?
A) Input drivers
B) Output drivers
C) Analog / Digital converter
D) Digital / Analog converter

Accepted Answer

Output drivers are responsible for sending signals to actuators, either as simple on/off signals or as pulse-width-modulated signals, depending on the type of actuator.

Question 15

The processor and drivers make up the physical portion of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

Accepted Answer

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) consists of two main components: the processor and the drivers. The processor is the central processing unit of the PCM, and it is responsible for executing the software that controls the engine and transmission. The drivers are responsible for controlling the various actuators and sensors that are connected to the PCM.

Question 16

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) performs basic circuit checks as part of the electronically controlled transmissions self-diagnostic routine. Which of the following would qualify as a basic check?
A) Open sensor circuit check
B) Grounded sensor circuit check
C) Out of range value check
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the listed checks are basic checks that the PCM would perform as part of the self-diagnostic routine.

Question 17

A more sophisticated type of fault detection is when the (PCM) monitors the input shaft speed sensor and compares it to the VSS to determine ________.
A) Torque converter clutch solenoid operation
B) Gear ratios
C) Torque converter flare
D) Transmission slippage

Accepted Answer

The PCM compares the input shaft speed sensor to the VSS to determine gear ratios, ensuring the transmission is operating correctly.

Question 18

Newer PCMs have logic programmed into them that allows more sophisticated self-diagnosis.

Accepted Answer

Newer Powertrain Control Modules (PCMs) are designed with advanced logic and algorithms that enable them to perform more complex self-diagnostic functions, improving vehicle performance and maintenance.

Question 19

Manufacturers have found that by using torque management to reduce the amount of torque during shifting, they can _________.
A) Install a smaller transmission in the vehicle
B) Install a larger transmission in the vehicle
C) Allow the transmission to operate in two gears at once
D) Allow the solenoids to directly operate the clutches and bands

Accepted Answer

Torque management during shifting reduces stress on the transmission, allowing for the use of a smaller, lighter transmission without compromising performance or durability.

Question 20

To manage the engine's torque, the PCM may be programmed to cut back on the ________ of the engine right before the transmission shifts.
A) Shift solenoids
B) Ignition timing
C) Gear ratio
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) can manage engine torque by adjusting the ignition timing, which can be retarded to reduce torque before a transmission shift.

Quiz 11: Electronically Controlled Transmission

Technician A says that automatic transmissions will change gear ratios based upon winter weather conditions. Technician B says that on a vehicle with traction control, the transmission will change shift programming to reduce wheel spin. Who is correct?

In a fully electronically controlled automatic transmission, the shift points are controlled by hydraulic and mechanical devices such as springs and valves.

If the transmission oil is hot, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may decrease line pressure to compensate for internal leaks, as thinner oil flows past valves and seals more easily.

Most modern vehicles cannot identify and adapt to a driver's individual style and to environmental conditions.

What information is provided via the anti-lock brake sensors that may confirm poor tire traction, and a winter shift program can be initiated by the PCM on a vehicle with traction control?

Which of the following actions enhances traction and the stability of motion of the vehicle in slippery conditions?

Identification of an environment means identifying unusual ambient conditions in which the vehicle is operating.

Technician A says the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) cannot identify and adapt to environmental conditions. Technician B says the first step in a PCM's fault detection system is a basic circuit test. Who is correct?

Slippery conditions require a _______ that enhances traction and the stability of motion of the vehicle.

Most vehicle manufacturers have integrated the Powertrain Control Module into the Transmission Control Module.

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) have memory that contains the software for the computer. Which of the following is also retained in memory in these modules?

Which of the following statements are True about the input sensor section of the PCM?

Which of the following sends either simple on/off signals or pulse-width-modulated signals to the actuators, depending on the actuator being controlled?

The processor and drivers make up the physical portion of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) performs basic circuit checks as part of the electronically controlled transmissions self-diagnostic routine. Which of the following would qualify as a basic check?

A more sophisticated type of fault detection is when the (PCM) monitors the input shaft speed sensor and compares it to the VSS to determine ________.

Newer PCMs have logic programmed into them that allows more sophisticated self-diagnosis.

Manufacturers have found that by using torque management to reduce the amount of torque during shifting, they can _________.

To manage the engine's torque, the PCM may be programmed to cut back on the ________ of the engine right before the transmission shifts.