2026 Edition

ASE A2 Practice Test

Take this free ASE A2 Practice Test to study for your ASE A2 certification exam. Our ASE A2 test prep is written by John Kershaw, an ASE test question developer and ASE Certified Master Technician. To prepare for the ASE A2 exam, use our ASE A2 Practice Test. See the links below for free ASE A2 flash cards and a video of the practice test. To prepare for additional ASE A certifications, use our Complete A1-A8 Practice Test Kit with 800 questions.

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General Transmission/Transaxle Diagnosis

1 You are using a diagnostic symptom chart to diagnose an electronically controlled 8-speed automatic RWD (rear wheel drive) transmission with a strange noise in drive. Technician A says the control valve could be the cause and is an OFF-vehicle procedure. Technician B says the oil pump assembly could be the cause and is an OFF-vehicle procedure. Who is right?

a. A only

b. B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Technician B is correct because the oil pump assembly could be the diagnostic item and is an OFF-vehicle procedure. Technician A is wrong because the control valve is likely to be the cause in an ON-vehicle procedure, NOT an OFF-vehicle procedure.

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2 On an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transaxle, you experience a "shock" when shifting from "N" to "D." Which of the following will require an OFF-vehicle repair?

a. Line pressure test

b. A/T fluid temperature sensor

c. Control valve assembly

d. Forward clutch

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

The only OFF-vehicle repair listed for a vehicle that exhibits a shock when shifting from "N" to "D" range is the FORWARD clutch. All of the other distracters are ON-vehicle repairs.

3 Technician A says you pick the symptom in the on-line service information that closely matches the customer concern. Technician B says the customer will describe their concerns as they are listed in the on-line service information. Who is right?

a. A only

b. B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

You pick the symptom in the on-line service information that closely matches the customer concern. The customer will generally describe their concerns much differently than they are listed in the on-line service information.

4 This question has the word EXCEPT. Read the question carefully before choosing your answer.

Preliminary diagnosis on an electronically controlled automatic transmission/transaxle consists of all the following tests, EXCEPT:

a. Line pressure test

b. Fluid check

c. Stall test

d. Flex plate check

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Checking the flex plate is not part of the preliminary diagnosis process.

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5 Technician A says engine, suspension and driveline problems may appear to be caused by the transmission or transaxle. Technician B says you start with the simple inspections first to ensure that you have not overlooked something and you can use the scan tool for further clarification. Who is right?

a. A only

b. B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Both technicians are correct. Tech A is right because many suspension and driveline concerns and noises may appear to be caused by the transmission or transaxle, when they are caused by the suspension. For diagnosis, you put the transmission in neutral and see if the concern changes or goes away. If it goes away, the automatic transmission should be investigated. Tech B is right because you always do the easy and simple inspections first to make sure that you have not overlooked something and you can use the scan tool for further clarification.

6 You are checking fluid color on an automatic transmission/transaxle. Which of the following will cause the fluid to be varnished with a light to dark brown color?

a. Oxidation from overfilling

b. Water contamination

c. Engine coolant contamination

d. Wear from friction material

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Oxidation from under or overfilling will cause the fluid to be varnished with a light to dark brown color.

In-Vehicle Transmission/Transaxle Maintenance and Repair

7 DTC (Diagnostic trouble code) P0705 PNP (park/neutral position) switch circuit is being diagnosed. Technician A says this code sets when the TCM (Transmission Control Module) or PCM (powertrain control module) does not receive the correct voltage signal from the park/neutral position (PNP) switch. Technician B says the park/neutral position (PNP) switch circuit could be open or shorted. Who is right?

a. A only

b. B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Both technicians are correct. Technician A is right because the (Diagnostic trouble code) sets when the TCM (Transmission Control Module) or PCM (powertrain control module) does not receive the correct voltage signal from the park/neutral position (PNP) switch. Technician B is right because the park/neutral position (PNP) switch being open or shorted would also set a DTC.

8 Technician A says low line pressure on an electronically controlled line pressure can cause the transmission to slip and operate sluggishly. Technician B says line pressure varies with engine speed. Who is right?

a. A only

b. B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Technician A is correct because low line pressure can cause the transmission to slip and operate sluggishly. Technician B is also correct because the line pressure will vary with engine speed. As engine speed increases, automatic transmissions require more fluid to move faster, resulting in higher line pressure. This is true for transmissions that use engine throttle position as a factor in adjusting line pressure. The GM PCM (powertrain control module) or TCM (Transmission Control Module) raises and lowers line pressure using an EPC (Electronic Pressure Control) solenoid to control shift quality and applied force to clutches and bands. During a GM WOT (Wide Open Throttle) test, the engine load should come up to 90-100% and solenoid command should drop to 0.2 – 0 amps, indicating a rise in line pressure as required. The precise pressure needed by the transmission is based on input from the sensors such as vehicle speed and engine load. Line pressure is reduced to improve fuel economy because lowering pressure reduces engine input, which is driving the pump. On hydraulic pressure control valves, there was s a TV pressure acting against the main line pressure to control it.

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9 A line pressure test shows low pressure at idle in all ranges on an electronically controlled automatic transmission. Which of the following can be the cause?

a. Maladjusted TP (throttle position) sensor

b. ATF (automatic transmission fluid) temperature sensor

c. Open in dropping resistor circuit

d. Oil pump pressure regulator

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

A problem in the oil pump or oil pump pressure regulator will cause low pressure at idle in all gear ranges. Answer option A is wrong because a misadjusted TPS can cause high line pressure at idle not low. B is wrong because a problem with the ATF temperature sensor will cause high line pressure at idle not low. C is wrong because an open in a dropping resistor circuit will cause high line pressure at idle not low pressure.

10 Using the chart below to diagnose a 4-speed automatic transaxle, which of the following is the MOST likely cause of no engine braking in manual second?

a. Forward clutch

b. Third clutch

c. Input Sprag

d. 2-4 Band

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

The 2-4 band is used for manual braking. The forward clutch is not used for braking and is ON in all forward speeds. The third or direct clutch is not used for braking and is ON for direct drive and reverse.

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Off-Vehicle Transmission/Transaxle Repair

11 When removing an engine from a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the torque converter does which of the following?

a. Stays with transmission

b. Stays with engine

c. Must be drained

d. Must be flushed

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

This is the proper procedure when the transmission or transaxle is removed. If left on the engine, all of the oil will leak out and make a huge mess.

12 This question has the word EXCEPT. Read the question carefully before choosing your answer.

When inspecting the flex plate shown in the photo below, you should check it for all of the following, EXCEPT:

a. Cracks.

b. Elongated bolt holes.

c. Damaged starter ring teeth.

d. Crankshaft pilot bearing

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Automatic transmissions do not use a crankshaft pilot bearing.

13 This question has the word EXCEPT. Read the question carefully before choosing your answer.

All of the following are industry-standard methods used to reprogram the EEPROM, EXCEPT:

a. Remote programming

b. Direct programming

c. Off-board programming

d. Indirect programming

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Indirect programming does not exist. The other three listed programming methods are all used. Use scan tool data, bidirectional controls, and/or diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) to diagnose electronic systems; interpret readings and determine needed action. Use scan tool to access, verify, and update software calibration settings and solenoid/valve body calibration identification numbers; perform control module re-learn and adaptation (basic settings) procedures as needed.

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14 An automatic transmission pressure test will identify which of the following?

a. Dirty transmission filter

b. Defective Engine Shutoff (ESO) solenoid

c. Defective torque converter

d. Shift solenoid

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

A dirty filter will cause lower line pressure and the other choices listed will not.

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