1. cooling system pressure tester
   dry ice
2. smoke generation machine
   air pressure tester

When a radiator cap has gone bad, the cooling system's pressure will drop, so using a cooling system pressure tester will expose this problem.

1. coolant leak
   grinding gears
2. oil leaking
   hard shifting

A damaged transmission case will cause an oil leak, something people often notice and likely will attribute to another problem.

1. nothing
   vibrations
2. The vehicle will pull to one side.
   The suspension will make a snapping sound.

If the U-joints are in alignment, they won't cancel each other out and the vehicle will be subject to vibrations, which can vary from annoying to dangerous.

1. under the dash
   inside the radiator
2. behind the radiator
   separate from the radiator

Not all vehicles have this setup, but it is necessary in heavy-duty applications, especially vehicles that will be towing heavy loads.

1. rev the engine with the transmission in neutral
   check for diagnostic trouble codes
2. check the transmission fluid level
   look for disconnected sensors

Before you ever take a vehicle with a transmission problem out on the road, you should always check the transmission fluid level, or you might make a bad problem worse.

1. negative camber
   toe-in
2. positive camber
   positive caster

Too much positive caster means the wheel is too high, which will result in wheel kickback if it lifts too high. Steering dampers can change this.

1. grease up the CV joint
   burp any air out of the boot
2. mark the shaft for positioning the boot
   spread lubricant on the boot

If you don't burp the boot, when that air is heated it will balloon out and when it's cold it will collapse, causing problems later.

1. flush it
   drain it
2. keep it on the engine
   keep it on the transmission

The proper procedure when dealing with such a setup is to keep the torque converter with the transmission, always, unless you're disassembling the transmission as well.

1. reserve, pedal height, free play
   reserve, kickback pressure, height
2. height, kickback pressure, operating range
   apply pressure, height, free play

When dealing with a manual transmission you must take these measurements, otherwise the pedal might not operate correctly.

1. The cables wear out.
   The lining wears down.
2. wheel bearings loosen
   to reduce fluid loss

The lining wears down, so the clearance between the drum and brake lining must be decreased through adjustment.

1. run the car in a closed bay
   run the AC in fresh mode
2. run the AC in recirculating mode
   dump baking soda through the vents

Evaporator odor can be a problem when testing an air conditioner, so using the system in fresh mode will avoid this, while recirculating mode will make it worse.

1. across the circuit or component
   touching only non-conductive parts
2. at the positive end only
   at the negative end only

Always measure voltage with the leads in parallel or across the circuit or device.

1. a seized brake caliper
   excessive tire pressure
2. fault with the steering gear
   misalignment

The only thing too much air pressure in the tires will affect is the tire tread wear, since it will cause the middle of the tread to wear out faster.

1. water contamination
   oil pollution
2. overfilling/under filling
   a loose plug

When someone either adds too much transmission fluid or not enough, the result is oxidation, which varnishes the fluid to be a brownish color.

1. a loose wheel bearing
   too little brake fluid
2. fresh brake adjustment
   a seized caliper piston

When a brake caliper piston can't move, the pedal will sit too high, while overall braking power will be reduced.

1. a sheared shift tube
   misaligned steering column assembly
2. worn steering rack
   loose tie rod

The misalignment of a steering column assembly will lead to binding, which increases steering effort.

1. make, model and year
   vehicle VIN
2. manufacturing date
   model year

Virtually all online data services require you to put in the make, model and year for the vehicle you are servicing.

1. grinding
   intermittent power loss to the front wheels
2. vibrations
   the steering locks up

Older four-wheel-drive vehicles might have this setup, but owners don't realize this is normal and nothing to worry about.

1. brakes dragging
   a short power assist brake booster push rod
2. brake light sensor fault
   line lock

If the push rod is too short, the brake pedal will need to travel further to make contact.

1. nothing
   The system is overcharged.
2. There's an electrical short.
   The system needs to be charged.

It's completely normal for the compressor outlet to be hot, but if it's cold that's from an overcharge.

1. logic probe
   voltmeter
2. megger meter
   analog meter

The only device that can measure digital signals at all is a logic probe.

1. electrical shock
   cutting the fuel line
2. triggering the airbag
   locking the steering mechanism

You always need to look up OEM information for airbag disabling procedures before working on a vehicle's steering column, otherwise the airbag could deploy and injure you.

1. bad engine shutoff solenoid
   a dirty transmission filter
2. defective shift solenoid
   bad position sensor

When thee transmission filter is dirty, line pressure will be lower as a result, so this test is perfect for detecting this problem.

1. talk to the vehicle owner
   retrieve any diagnostic trouble codes
2. take the vehicle for a test drive
   look up symptoms in the service manual

Before you begin, getting an accurate description of what's been happening with the vehicle is key, and you can only get that from the owner.

1. stripped planetary gears
   broken shift shaft
2. mangled shift shaft spring
   shift indicator has blown

While there are other potential causes, a broken shift shaft is the most likely, so you should begin any diagnostic work there.

1. no sound
   slapping
2. whining
   grinding

As the cogs on the belt come into contact with the cogs on the sprocket, they combine to make a whining sound.

1. damaged mounting bracket
   worn pulley bearing
2. worn pulley
   a clutch air gap

An air gap in a clutch doesn't wear down a belt at the edges or elsewhere.

1. The flywheel is defective.
   The solenoid is defective.
2. The shims were left out.
   The wrong starter is in the car.

If the clearance between the starter drive pinion and flexplate or flywheel teeth isn't correct, a whining noise will be produced. Shimming during the installation will prevent this.

1. 5.3 volts
   12.6 volts
2. 2.6 volts
   1.8 volts

The standard car battery has six cells, and the standard open circuit voltage is 2.1 volts per cell.

1. belt tension
   cracks or chipping
2. correct orientation of the belt
   correct seating at the pulley

No matter how much you look at a belt, you cant' see the tension, which you must measure with an instrument or ruler.

1. bad fluid filter
   bearing is worn out
2. simple evaporation
   transmission breather filter is clogged

If the breather filter is clogged, it will increase internal pressure for the transmission, resulting in leaks on such a low-mileage vehicle.

1. breaks the glass
   causes microscopic cracks
2. shortens bulb life
   nothing

The oil on your skin leaves a residue, which traps more heat in the bulb than in normal operation, causing it to burn out sooner.

1. low brake fluid
   air in the hydraulics
2. worn brake pads
   defective metering valve

When air enters the brake lines or master cylinder, it creates a gap in the flow of brake fluid, which is what causes the spongy feel.

1. right rear
   left rear
2. right front
   left front

The modified X-method of tire rotation goes in this order.

1. line pressure test
   forward clutch
2. temperature sensor test
   control valve repair

While there are other off-vehicle repairs for this type of a transmission, this is the only one relating to a shock when shifting between neutral and drive.