Suspension, Brakes, Electrical Flashcards
1
Q
What is the primary purpose of suspension systems?
A
Support vehicle weight, maintain ride height, ensure tire contact with road, absorb shock and maintain control
2
Q
What are the two main types of suspension systems?
A
Independent and Dependent (Solid Axle)
3
Q
Name three types of independent front suspension systems.
A
- MacPherson strut
- SLA
- Multi-link
4
Q
What are the main components of a suspension system?
A
- Springs
- Shocks/Struts
- Control Arms
- Ball Joints
- Bushings
- Sway Bar
5
Q
What are common problems associated with suspension systems?
A
- Worn shocks
- Broken springs
- Worn bushings
6
Q
Define camber in wheel alignment.
A
Tilt of the wheel (in/out)
7
Q
What does positive camber indicate?
A
Top tilts out
8
Q
What does negative camber indicate?
A
Top tilts in
9
Q
What is caster in wheel alignment?
A
Steering pivot tilt (forward/back)
10
Q
What is toe in wheel alignment?
A
Direction wheels point (in/out)
11
Q
What is the thrust angle in wheel alignment?
A
Rear wheel direction vs. vehicle center
12
Q
What are the two main types of brake systems?
A
- Disc Brakes
- Drum Brakes
13
Q
What is the function of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)?
A
Prevents wheel lock-up
14
Q
List the main components of a hydraulic brake system.
A
- Master Cylinder
- Brake Booster
- Calipers
- Wheel Cylinders
15
Q
What is the downside of brake fluid?
A
Absorbs moisture over time - hygroscopic
16
Q
What are common brake issues?
A
- Spongy pedal
- Hard pedal
- Pulling
- Grinding
- Pulsation
17
Q
What is the voltage of a fully charged automotive battery?
A
12.6V
18
Q
What does the alternator do in the charging system?
A
Converts mechanical to electrical energy (AC → DC)
19
Q
What voltage range should a voltage regulator maintain?
A
13.5–14.5V
20
Q
What is a common symptom of a weak battery or starter drawing too much?
A
Cranking voltage below 9.6V
21
Q
What does a blown fuse indicate?
A
Symptom, not the problem
22
Q
What is the function of a relay in electrical systems?
A
Switch high current circuits using low current triggers
23
Q
What does Ohm’s Law state? (Formula)
A
V = I x R
24
Q
What is the purpose of an oxygen sensor?
A
Measures oxygen in exhaust to adjust air/fuel mixture
25
What are the symptoms of a failing mass air flow sensor (MAF)?
* Hesitation
* Rough idle
* Stalling
* Black smoke
26
Where is the throttle position sensor (TPS) located?
On throttle body
27
What does the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) indicate?
Crankshaft position and RPM
28
What is the signal range of an oxygen sensor? (Lean/rich)
0.1V (lean) to 0.9V (rich)
29
What type of signal does a vehicle speed sensor (VSS) produce?
Digital pulses
30
What is the purpose of the Engine Control Module (ECM)?
Adjusts timing, fuel, air, emissions, and more
31
What is the purpose of the knock sensor?
Detects engine knock (pinging) using a microphone
32
What should you check first when diagnosing electrical problems?
Check for power and ground
33
What is the typical voltage of a weak battery?
Below 11.9V
34
What are the symptoms of a blown fuse?
* No power to circuit
* Circuit malfunction
35
What does a clicking noise when starting the engine typically indicate?
Low battery or bad connection
36
What is the purpose of circuit protection devices such as fuses?
Blow when circuit draws too much current
37
What is the purpose of a fuel tank pressure sensor?
Detects leaks and fuel system pressure
38
What is the voltage range for a pressure sensor?
0.5-4.5V
39
What type of sensor is a TPS?
Potentiometer
40
What is the function of a thermistor in automotive sensors?
Resistance
41
What type of signal do CKP/CMP sensors produce?
Magnetic/Hall effect AC or digital pulses
42
What does a piezoelectric sensor produce?
Voltage pulses
43
What is the primary function of actuators in automotive systems?
Turn electrical commands from the ECM/PCM into mechanical action
44
What do fuel injectors do?
Spray fuel into the intake/cylinder
45
What does the ignition coil do?
Turns low voltage into spark voltage
46
What is the role of the Idle Air Control Valve (IAC)?
Adjusts air at idle
47
What system does the EGR valve control?
Exhaust gas into intake
48
What does the purge solenoid do?
Opens to burn fuel vapors from EVAP
49
What is the function of the cooling fan relay?
Turns fan on/off
50
What does the TCM control?
Transmission shifting
51
What does the BCM control?
Body systems like locks, lights, windows
52
What is the function of the ABS module?
Brake control and traction
53
What does the SRS module control?
Airbags
54
How does the CAN Bus function in automotive systems?
Allows modules to share information quickly and reliably
55
What are the two wires used in a CAN Bus?
CAN High and CAN Low
56
What are symptoms of CAN Bus issues?
* No communication with scan tool
* Multiple systems down
* U-codes (communication faults)
57
What is the first step in sensor diagnosis flow?
Check for codes with scan tool or code reader
58
What should be verified after checking for codes?
Verify power & ground
59
What does a high fuel consumption symptom indicate?
Bad O2 or ECT sensor
60
What does a CKP failure indicate?
No RPM reading
61
What is a symptom of an ECT failure?
Fan runs all the time
62
What should be checked if the CEL is ON after warm-up?
O2 sensor slow or heater circuit failure
63
True or False: If voltage is stuck high, it indicates a short to ground.
False
64
Where is the minimum rotor thickness marked on a rotor?
Usually stamped on the rotor outer edge or centre of the rotor
65
What is the purpose of the master cylinder in a brake system?
Transforms mechanical force into hydraulic pressure
66
What type of brake fluid is DOT 3?
Glycol-based with a lower boiling point
67
What causes squeaking in brake pads?
A metal wear indicator on the pad
68
What does grinding noise indicate in brake pads?
Pads are completely worn down
69
What is the function of the ABS control module?
Controls ABS pump and valves to regulate braking force
70
What is a symptom of a failing self-adjusting drum brake?
Brake drag or uneven brake performance
71
What are the two types of drum brake designs?
* Leading-Trailing
* Self-Adjusting
72
What is the function of hydraulic pressure in drum brakes?
Pushes the brake shoes outward against the drum
73
What is a common failure in duo-servo brakes?
Uneven braking due to one shoe not applying enough pressure
74
What does the secondary shoe in duo-servo brakes do?
Applies additional braking force to increase efficiency
75
What is the minimum thickness pad wear limit?
Pads should be replaced at 2mm thickness
76
What is the function of the brake fluid reservoir?
Holds the brake fluid, keeping the system topped up
77
What is a common issue with brake adjustments?
Incorrect adjustment can lead to poor braking performance
78
What is the manual adjustment mechanism used in older vehicles for drum brakes?
Star wheel mechanism
79
What can incorrect adjustment of brake shoes lead to?
* Poor braking performance
* Brake drag
* Uneven braking
80
What are symptoms of brake shoes being too tight?
* Excessive wear
* Increased pedal force
81
What can loose or misaligned brake shoes result in?
Uneven braking
82
What is a common symptom of pulling to one side during braking?
Uneven brake shoe wear, damaged wheel cylinder, stuck caliper
83
What is the likely cause of brake pedal pulsation?
Warped rotors or drums, uneven shoe wear
84
What can cause increased brake pedal effort?
* Air in the system
* Low fluid
* Frozen wheel cylinder
85
What is the drum wear limit typically?
0.060” (1.5mm) beyond minimum thickness
86
At what thickness should brake shoes be replaced?
2mm they HAVE to be replaced but can be recommended at 4mm
87
What is the boiling point of DOT 3 brake fluid?
205°C
88
What are the basic components of the automotive electrical system?
* Battery
* Alternator
* Starter Motor
* Fuses
* Relays
* Grounding
89
What does the alternator do in an automotive electrical system?
Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, recharges the battery
90
What is the function of a starter motor?
Uses electrical energy to crank the engine and start it
91
What do fuses protect in an electrical system?
Electrical components by breaking the circuit if excessive current flows
92
What symbol represents a battery in electrical diagrams?
Two parallel lines (one longer than the other)
93
What is the function of an oxygen sensor (O2 Sensor)?
Measures the level of oxygen in the exhaust gases
94
What does a mass air flow (MAF) sensor measure?
The amount of air entering the engine
95
What symptoms indicate a failing crankshaft position sensor?
* Engine won’t start
* Intermittent stalling
* Poor engine performance
96
What does the throttle position sensor (TPS) detect?
The position of the throttle valve
97
What is a common cause of a blown fuse?
Excessive current draw, symptom of bigger issue
98
What are the symptoms of a failing alternator?
* Dimming lights
* Warning lights on the dashboard
* Battery warning light
99
What type of testing is a multimeter used for?
* Measuring voltage
* Measuring current
* Measuring resistance
100
What does a circuit tester do?
Detects open or short circuits
101
What color wire typically indicates a ground connection?
Black
102
What is the purpose of the suspension system?
* Provides vehicle stability
* Ensures comfort
* Controls handling
103
What is the function of springs in a suspension system?
Absorb energy from road irregularities and help maintain vehicle height
104
What does a shock absorber do?
Controls the oscillation of the springs, providing a smooth ride
105
What is a sway bar's function?
Reduces body roll during turns by transferring forces from one side of the vehicle to the other
106
What is the angle of the wheel in relation to the road surface called?
Camber
107
What does uneven tire wear indicate?
Poor alignment or worn suspension components
108
What is the maximum allowable play for control arms?
No more than 1/8 inch of movement when tested
109
What is the typical spring rate range for standard vehicles?
100 to 350 lbs/in
110
What is the rebound action in suspension?
The downward movement of tire/suspension (pot hole, etc.)
111
What should be inspected regularly in suspension maintenance?
Suspension components for signs of wear, leaks, or damage
112
When should shocks or struts be replaced?
If they show signs of leakage or loss of dampening performance
113
What is the maximum control arm play allowed when tested?
No more than 1/8 inch
114
What is the normal camber angle for most vehicles?
Typically 0 to -1°
115
What is the typical caster angle for stability and steering response?
+2° to +6°
116
What is the usual toe angle for vehicles?
0 to 1/16 inch of toe-in or toe-out
117
What does the cylinder head house?
Valves and camshaft
118
What is the function of pistons in an engine?
Convert combustion energy into mechanical power
119
What does the crankshaft do?
Transfers rotational energy from piston movement to the transmission
120
What issues can burnt valves cause?
Affect engine performance
121
What is the normal compression range for most vehicles?
120-180 psi
122
What does a low compression reading indicate?
Worn rings, valves, or gaskets may be present
123
What is the normal fuel pressure for fuel-injected vehicles?
35-45 psi
124
What may low fuel pressure indicate?
Issues with the fuel pump, filter, or pressure regulator
125
What does Ohm's Law (V = IR) relate to?
Electrical components
126
What is the voltage of a fully charged battery?
12.6V
127
What voltage indicates a battery is nearing the end of its useful life?
12.0V-12.4V
128
What is the normal alternator voltage when the engine is running?
13.5V-14.5V
129
What are symptoms of a failing starter motor?
Slow cranking or clicking noises
130
What do oxygen sensors monitor?
Oxygen levels in exhaust gases
131
What does the crankshaft sensor provide to the ECU?
Timing information, RPM
132
What is the typical resistance range for crankshaft sensors?
200 to 1000 ohms
133
What is the function of coil springs?
Absorb shock and support vehicle weight
134
What type of springs are primarily used in trucks?
Leaf springs
135
What do shock absorbers control?
The rebound of the springs
136
What is a common test for worn shocks or struts?
Bounce test
137
What do control arms connect in a vehicle?
The suspension to the vehicle’s body
138
What does negative camber indicate?
Tires tilted inward
139
What is the purpose of power steering?
Assist with steering using hydraulic fluid or electric motors
140
What is the typical thickness at which brake pads should be replaced?
Less than 3mm
141
What is the function of the hydraulic system in brakes?
Master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake lines, and fluid
142
What does the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) prevent?
Wheel lockup during heavy braking
143
What are common symptoms of transmission issues?
Slipping gears, rough shifting, or hard starting
144
What does a differential do?
Distributes engine power between the drive wheels
145
What is a sign of low fluid in a differential?
Whining noises
146
What does a transfer case do in 4WD or AWD vehicles?
Distributes power between the front and rear axles
147
What is the typical free play in a manual clutch pedal?
1-1.5 inches
148
What tool is used for reading trouble codes in vehicles?
OBD-II Scanner
149
What does a P0420 code indicate?
Catalytic converter efficiency below threshold
150
What is the purpose of a multimeter?
Measures electrical current, voltage, and resistance
151
What is the typical resistance range for O2 sensors?
5-20 ohms
152
What is the role of brake fluid in the braking system?
Transmits force from the brake pedal to the brake components
153
What types of brake fluid are commonly used?
DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5 (synthetic)
154
What should be done if moisture is detected in brake fluid?
Bleed the system and replace fluid
155
What is the function of duo-servo brakes?
Both brake shoes apply pressure to the drum during braking
