ASE G1 Exam Questions

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101.

Technician A says modern additives cause transmission fluid to have a pink and milky appearance. Technician B says if the transmission fluid level is low and was filled to the proper level, there is a leak somewhere. Who is correct?

  • Technician B

  • Technician A

  • Both A and B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Technician B

Technician B is correct. If the fluid level of an automatic transmission is low, there is a leak somewhere. Transmission fluid doesn't get consumed or used up.

Technician A is incorrect because pink transmission fluid with a milky appearance is caused by water or coolant contamination. Transmission fluid should be red. Common causes of water contamination include a damaged transmission cooler in the radiator, which allows coolant and transmission fluid to intermix, or a vehicle that has had flood water enter through a vent or dipstick tube.

102.

Which of the following is MOST LIKELY to be the minimum specification for brake pad lining thickness?

  • .125"

  • .050"

  • .250"

  • .500"

Correct answer: .125"

Generally, brake pads should be replaced if the lining thickness is less than .125". If the brake pad lining is .050", excessive heat would build up under normal braking conditions. 

103.

Two technicians are discussing cable-operated parking brakes on a vehicle equipped with rear drum brakes. Technician A says the cable-operated parking brakes should be adjusted before the service brakes. Technician B says cable-operated parking brakes are usually adjusted at the equalizer. Who is correct?

  • Technician B

  • Technician A

  • Both A and B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Technician B

Technician B is correct because most cable-operated parking brakes are adjusted at the equalizer. The parking brake equalizer is located under the vehicle and is usually near the floor pan. The equalizer joins the single cable operated by the driver's park brake lever or pedal to two cables leading to each rear brake assembly. The equalizer has an adjusting nut that lengthens or shortens the effective length of the cables as necessary.

Technician A is incorrect because the service brakes need to be in good working order and adjusted first. Most parking brake concerns are caused by service brake issues. 

104.

Which of the following tools would the technician be LEAST LIKELY to use when servicing tapered roller-type wheel bearings?

  • A grease gun

  • A seal remover

  • A seal installer

  • A bearing packer

Correct answer: A grease gun

A grease gun is not used when servicing tapered roller wheel bearings. Grease guns pressurize grease to force it through a grease fitting. Grease fittings are often found on suspension components.

Hubs with serviceable tapered wheel bearings will have a seal that must be removed and installed during the course of wheel bearing service. Seal removers and installers are often used to make seal removal easier and seal installers prevent seal damage during installation. A bearing packer will assure the technician that the tapered roller bearings have fresh grease throughout the bearing rollers, cage, and races. 

105.

Fluid leaking from the transmission clutch housing MOST LIKELY indicates a failed:

  • Rear main seal

  • Transmission output shaft seal

  • Manual control lever shaft seal

  • Axle seal

Correct answer: Rear main seal

Fluid leaking from the clutch housing of a vehicle is usually engine oil from a leaking rear main seal. It could also be oil from a failed input shaft bearing seal. Check the engine oil and manual transmission fluid to make sure they are at the proper level.

A faulty transmission output shaft seal will cause a leak at the rear of the transmission. Manual control lever shafts are only found on vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Axle seals will only leak near the axle.

106.

A load test is being performed on a battery. A good battery should measure AT LEAST how many volts at the end of the test?

  • 9.6

  • 8.5

  • 10.5

  • 12.0

Correct answer: 9.6

A battery load test is performed to check the capacity of the battery. Typically, a load equaling half of the battery's cold cranking amps rating is placed on the battery for 15 seconds. The battery should be above 9.6 volts at the end of the test. If it is not, the battery is faulty and should be replaced. This test is performed using test equipment that was designed in the 1960s. Modern battery testers have internal timers and menus for technicians to input information about the battery being tested. 

107.

A technician wants to know whether or not a light bulb's filament is good. Which of the following should be used for testing?

  • An ohmmeter

  • An ammeter 

  • A test light

  • A noid light

Correct answer: An ohmmeter

The internal filament and connections of a light bulb can be tested for continuity using an ohmmeter. This is an easy way to determine whether a bulb has failed or not. Some filaments can be damaged near their connections and cannot be observed through visual inspection.

Ammeters and test lights are not used for testing components while disconnected from the circuit, and a noid light is used for checking power and ground to the fuel injector.

108.

A customer has a concern about an inoperative courtesy lamp. Technician A says the wiring to the bulb could have an open circuit. Technician B says the negative side of the circuit may be shorted to ground. Who is correct?

  • Technician A

  • Technician B

  • Both A and B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Technician A

Technician A is correct because an open circuit on the power wire or the ground wire could prevent the lamp from working.

Technician B is incorrect because a ground wire shorted to ground would not prevent the lamp from operating. 

109.

A technician performs a cooling system pressure test and sees coolant leaking from the weep hole of a belt-driven water pump. The water pump is mounted to an aluminum surface on the engine. Which of the following would NOT be part of the procedure for replacing the water pump?

  • Use a metal gasket scraper to clean the water pump mounting surface.

  • Perform another pressure test after installing the new water pump.

  • Inspect the water pump bolts for excessive corrosion prior to reassembly.

  • Drain the coolant from the system.

Correct answer: Use a metal gasket scraper to clean the water pump mounting surface.

Metal gasket scrapers are not suitable for use on aluminum surfaces. In addition, most motorized gasket removers can damage aluminum surfaces. Chemical gasket removers and plastic scrapers are the best option for gasket and sealer removal from aluminum surfaces.

Many technicians perform a cooling system pressure test after installing a new water pump as a quality control measure. Many water pump bolts are exposed to coolant and are prone to corrosion. The water pump bolts should be replaced if damaged. Water pump bolts can be coated with special sealants prior to assembly to prevent corrosion. Draining the coolant from the system prior to service avoids coolant spillage as cooling system components are removed.

110.

A vehicle is brought to the service drive with noticeable negative camber on the left front wheel. Which of the following components would be MOST LIKELY to cause this condition if damaged?

  • Control arm bushings

  • Strut rod bushings

  • Inner tie rod ends 

  • Radius arm bushings

Correct answer: Control arm bushings

Worn control arm bushings can affect the camber angle and can cause the top of the wheel to lean in.

Strut rod bushings and radius arm bushings effect the caster angle and would not be noticeable from a distance. Loose tie rod ends affect the toe setting on a vehicle.

111.

Which of the following input signals is most critical for electronic power steering operation?

  • Vehicle speed sensor

  • Ride height sensor

  • Manifold absolute pressure sensor

  • Engine coolant temperature sensor

Correct answer: Vehicle speed sensor

One of the main inputs for electronic power steering is vehicle speed. The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) adjusts the power steering effort according to vehicle speed. Low speeds require higher steering effort and higher speeds require less effort.

112.

Two technicians are discussing procedures for checking ball joints. Technician A says a vehicle should be lifted by the outer part of the lower control arm before checking for wear on a lower load-carrying ball joint. Technician B says vehicles equipped with MacPherson strut suspension do not have load-carrying ball joints and can be lifted by the body to check for ball joint play. Who is correct?

  • Both A and B

  • Technician A

  • Technician B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Both A and B

Both technicians are correct.

A load-carrying lower ball joint can be checked by lifting the tire off of the ground slightly while a jack or jackstand is supporting the outer portion of the control arm. This procedure unloads the ball joint and makes it easier to check it by prying up on the tire while looking for ball joint movement. You can also grasp the lifted tire at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions while alternating between pushing on the top and pulling on the bottom of the tire. Any movement will require inspection to find the source.

MacPherson strut suspension systems use the strut to carry the load of the vehicle and do not have a load-carrying ball joint. Always use a jack with a locking mechanism or a jackstand while working under a vehicle.

113.

Technician A says antifreeze concentration should be checked with a thermometer. Technician B says some cooling systems need to be bled after being filled. Who is correct?

  • Technician B

  • Technician A

  • Both A and B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Technician B

Only Technician B is correct. The coolant should be checked with a hydrometer or refractometer to determine the freezing point. Some cooling systems will develop air pockets when a cooling system service or repair requires refilling the cooling system. Some cooling systems have air bleeds that can be opened to allow pockets of air to escape. Techniques used to remove air pockets include special cooling system fill kits or the use of an air lift tool and adapter. 

114.

A vehicle with independent rear suspension is about one inch lower on the right rear than on the left rear. Which of the following would be LEAST LIKELY to cause this customer concern?

  • Broken rear stabilizer bar link

  • A weak spring on the right rear side

  • A broken spring on the right rear side

  •  Uneven loading of the vehicle

Correct answer: Broken rear stabilizer bar link

A broken stabilizer bar link will not affect ride height. It will affect stability during cornering and maneuvering at higher speeds.

A weak or broken spring will cause one corner of the automobile to be lower. Uneven loading of the vehicle will also cause one side or corner of the vehicle to be lower.

115.

A bounce test is performed to check the condition of:

  • Shock absorbers

  • Leaf springs

  • Coil springs

  • Torsion bars

Correct answer: Shock absorbers

Shock absorbers are tested by performing a bounce test. This may also be called a jounce test. Press down on one corner of the vehicle two or three times and release. If the vehicle continues to bounce, the shock absorbers are defective. 

116.

A hissing sound can be heard coming from the power steering pump after the steering wheel reaches and is held at the end of travel. The power steering system fluid is filled to the proper level and the fluid is not bubbly or foamy. The MOST LIKELY cause of this noise is:

  • Normal pressure relief valve operation

  • A leak in the low pressure line connection causing air to enter the system

  • A slipping serpentine belt

  • A steering gear with an internal leak

Correct answer: Normal pressure relief valve operation

A pressure relief valve is likely to make a hissing noise when the steering wheel is held at the end of travel. Continuing to hold pressure on the steering wheel after it reaches the end of travel or a fully locked position can cause the power steering pump to overheat in a minute or less. Holding the steering wheel in the fully locked position for a short period of time while making a maneuver is a part of normal driving.

A leak in the low pressure line is likely to cause fluid to drip from the line and may cause aeration of the power steering fluid. A belt may slip without a noticeable noise. If a belt causes a noise from slipping, it will make a high-pitched squealing noise. A steering gear with an internal leak would not typically make any noticeable noise.

117.

A technician presses the brake pedal two times within two seconds. The brake pedal reserve distance is higher when the pedal is pressed down the second time. This indicates:

  • The brake shoes need to be adjusted

  • The parking brake is stuck in the applied position

  • A caliper piston is seized

  • The brake fluid needs to be flushed

Correct answer: The brake shoes need to be adjusted

Less brake pedal reserve distance on the second brake application indicates the brake shoes need to be adjusted. Proper brake shoe adjustment reduces the distance they need to travel before contacting the brake drum. The brake pedal reserve distance is the measurement between the brake pedal and the floor with the brakes applied. Numerous publications use the word "depressed" to describe a pedal that is pushed down. 

118.

Which of the following is the LEAST LIKELY place for a transaxle to leak?

  • Between the dipstick and the dipstick tube

  • From the pan gasket

  • From the front seal 

  • From the drive axle seals

Correct answer: Between the dipstick and the dipstick tube

Transmission fluid flowing from the area between the dipstick and dipstick tube indicates severe overheating of the fluid. This is a rare occurrence.

The most likely place for a transaxle to leak is from the pan gasket, front seal, or axle seals. 

119.

Which of the following is the BEST definition of voltage drop?

  • The difference in electrical potential between two points in a circuit

  • The difference in electrical flow between two points in a circuit

  • The difference in resistance between two points in a circuit

  • The difference in amperage between two points in a circuit

Correct answer: The difference in electrical potential between two points in a circuit

Voltage drop is the difference in electrical potential between two points in a circuit. Voltage is described as electrical potential or electrical pressure. As electrical current goes through an electrical load, voltage drops or is used up. To measure voltage drop, connect the digital multimeter leads across the load or cable to be tested, power up the circuit, and observe the reading.

120.

A vehicle equipped with a hydro-boost system has an extremely firm brake pedal feel with no brake assist immediately after the engine is turned off. Technician A says this is a normal condition because the hydro-boost system relies on power steering hydraulic pressure for assist. Technician B says power assist should be available for at least 2-3 brake applications after the engine is turned off. Who is correct?

  • Technician B

  • Technician A

  • Both A and B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Technician B

Technician B is correct because the hydro-boost system is designed to allow the driver to stop the vehicle in the event of a loss of hydraulic boost pressure. The hydro-boost system has an accumulator that stores hydraulic boost pressure in the event of a stalled engine, broken power steering belt, or other event that adversely impacts the system. 

Technician A is incorrect because manufacturers have a fail-safe feature to prevent catastrophic brake assist loss.