ASE B5 Mechanical & Electrical Components

A vehicle pulls to the right after a left-front collision repair. A new steering knuckle and lower control arm were installed. What should the technician check FIRST?

• ATire pressures and a four-wheel alignment, including camber and caster
• BPower steering fluid level only
• CBrake pad wear on the right side only
• DThe radio antenna routing

Increased positive caster on a front wheel will MOST directly affect which of the following?

• ATire wear on that wheel at all speeds
• BDirectional stability and steering-wheel return
• CBrake balance front to rear
• DEngine cooling airflow

Tech A says excessive positive camber causes wear on the outer edge of the tire. Tech B says excessive toe-in causes a feathered wear pattern. Who is correct?

• ATech A only
• BTech B only
• CBoth A and B
• DNeither A nor B

Before removing a MacPherson strut assembly damaged in a collision, the technician should mark the strut-to-knuckle relationship in order to:

• ABleed the power steering
• BIdentify the brand of strut
• CLocate the wheel speed sensor
• DPreserve the approximate camber setting for reassembly

A coil spring must be removed from a damaged strut. The SAFEST practice is to:

• AUse an approved spring compressor and keep hands clear of the compression path
• BPry the spring off with a long bar
• CCut the spring with a torch while installed
• DLoosen the strut shaft nut before compressing the spring

After replacing a bent tie rod end, the MOST important follow-up service is to:

• AReplace the power steering pump
• BSet toe and verify the steering wheel is centered
• CFlush the brake fluid
• DRecharge the A/C system

A clunk is heard over bumps after a front-end collision repair. Which component is the MOST likely cause?

• AA weak battery
• BA discharged A/C system
• CA loose or worn ball joint or sway bar link
• DA clogged cabin air filter

Setback on a front axle is BEST described as:

• AThe difference between front and rear toe
• BThe fore/aft tilt of the steering axis
• CThe included angle of the spindle
• DOne front wheel positioned rearward of the other front wheel

A vehicle dog-tracks after a rear-impact repair. Which alignment measurement is MOST relevant?

• ARear thrust angle
• BFront caster
• CBattery state of charge
• DA/C high-side pressure

When reinstalling a front lower control arm after collision repair, the control arm pivot bolts should be final-torqued:

• AWith the wheel fully drooping on the lift
• BWith the suspension loaded at normal ride height
• COnly after the alignment is complete
• DBefore the bushings are installed

A steering wheel is off-center after a collision alignment even though toe is within spec. The MOST likely remaining cause is:

• AA blown headlight fuse
• BA discharged battery
• CUnequal left/right toe split (toe not centered on the steering)
• DA clogged condenser

Tech A says a bent steering knuckle can be straightened with heat and reused. Tech B says collision-damaged steering knuckles should be replaced, not heated and straightened. Who is correct?

• ATech A only
• BNeither A nor B
• CBoth A and B
• DTech B only

Excessive negative camber on both front wheels would MOST likely produce:

• AInner-edge tire wear
• BOuter-edge tire wear
• CA feathered wear pattern
• DNo tire wear at all

A power steering rack was replaced after frame rail damage was repaired. After the job, the steering is hard only when cold. The MOST likely cause is:

• AA bent rear control arm
• BInternal valve binding or trapped air not yet purged
• CA discharged A/C accumulator
• DA blown taillight bulb

When measuring ride height after suspension R&I on a collision vehicle, the technician should:

• ASkip the measurement if the alignment passes
• BMeasure only the right front corner
• CCompare measurements to manufacturer specification at both ends and side to side
• DMeasure with the vehicle on a jack

A clicking noise from the front while turning after a collision repair MOST likely indicates:

• AA loose radio bracket
• BA weak battery
• CA clogged cabin filter
• DA worn or damaged outer CV joint

Steering Axis Inclination (SAI) is GREATER on the left than the right after a collision. This MOST likely indicates:

• AA bent strut, knuckle, or structural damage on the left
• BLow tire pressure on the left
• CA worn left brake pad
• DA discharged battery

After replacing a damaged sway bar, the end-link nuts should be torqued:

• AAs tight as an impact gun will go
• BTo the manufacturer's specified value
• CHand-tight only
• DUntil the rubber bushing is fully crushed flat

A vehicle wanders and requires constant steering correction after a front collision repair. Which is the LEAST likely cause?

• AA worn center link or idler arm
• BInsufficient caster
• CA fully charged battery
• DLoose or worn tie rod ends

A rear leaf-spring vehicle was repaired after a rear impact. The rear axle is shifted, causing a thrust angle. The correct repair is to:

• AReplace the steering rack
• BAdjust front toe to compensate
• CIncrease tire pressure on one side
• DInspect and replace bent leaf springs, shackles, or spring center bolt as needed

A wheel bearing/hub was disturbed during knuckle replacement. Excessive bearing play would MOST directly cause an inaccurate reading of which alignment angle?

• ACamber
• BCaster offset only
• CThrust angle only
• DSet-back only

The PRIMARY reason a four-wheel alignment is required after most collision repairs involving suspension R&I is to:

• AReset the radio presets
• BRestore correct tire-to-road geometry for safe handling and tire life
• CRecharge the A/C system
• DBleed the brake hydraulics

Before disconnecting the battery to begin electrical repairs on a late-model collision vehicle, the technician should FIRST:

• ADrain the engine coolant
• BCut every wire near the damage
• CNote the manufacturer's battery disconnect procedure, including SRS power-down wait time
• DDischarge the A/C refrigerant

When disconnecting a vehicle battery, the technician should remove which cable FIRST?

• AWhichever is more corroded
• BThe positive cable
• CBoth at the same time
• DThe negative (ground) cable

A circuit has high resistance at a connector damaged in the collision. Measured across that connector, voltage drop would be:

• AHigher than normal, indicating excessive resistance
• BZero in a good circuit but irrelevant here
• CAlways exactly battery voltage
• DNegative

The correct method to repair a collision-damaged wire in a critical circuit is to:

• ATwist the wires together and tape them
• BSplice with the OEM-approved method (e.g., crimp-and-seal or solder per procedure) and pr…
• CUse a household wire nut
• DLeave it disconnected if the circuit still partly works

A damaged ground point under a repaired quarter panel causes dim, flickering taillights. The BEST repair is to:

• AReplace the taillight bulbs only
• BAdd resistance to the circuit
• CClean the ground point to bare metal, restore the connection, and protect it from corrosi…
• DIncrease the alternator output

Tech A says a blown fuse should be replaced with one of the same amperage rating. Tech B says you can install a higher-rated fuse if the original keeps blowing. Who is correct?

• ANeither A nor B
• BTech B only
• CBoth A and B
• DTech A only

An ohmmeter is being used to check a suspected open wire. The ohmmeter should be connected with the circuit:

• ADe-energized (power removed) and the wire isolated
• BPowered up with key on
• CUnder full load
• DConnected to battery positive

A short to ground in a circuit will MOST commonly cause:

• ASlightly higher resistance only
• BA blown fuse for that circuit
• CNo symptom at all
• DIncreased alternator life

While restoring a harness routed near a repaired structural rail, the technician should:

• ARun it across a moving suspension arm
• BZip-tie it to the exhaust pipe
• CReroute it in the original path with proper clips and away from heat/sharp edges
• DLeave it loose in the wheel well

A waterproof connector was damaged in a front-end collision. The CORRECT repair is to:

• ABypass the connector entirely
• BCut the connector off and butt-splice the wires bare
• CFill the connector with silicone and reuse it
• DReplace the connector with the correct OEM-type sealed connector and proper terminals

On a high-voltage hybrid involved in a collision, before any electrical work the technician must:

• AFollow the OEM high-voltage shutdown/service-disconnect procedure and wear proper PPE
• BDisconnect only the 12V battery and proceed
• CCut the orange high-voltage cables to be safe
• DIgnore the high-voltage system if the vehicle still drives

After a collision repair, the headlights are dim and the battery keeps discharging. A voltage-drop test on the charging circuit shows high drop on the alternator-to-battery cable. The cause is MOST likely:

• AA weak coil spring
• BA damaged or corroded charging cable/connection from the impact
• CA bent tie rod
• DLow refrigerant

The PRIMARY purpose of a relay in a body circuit such as headlamps is to:

• AReplace the fuse
• BIncrease system voltage
• CUse a small control current to switch a larger load current
• DStore electrical energy

A power window stopped working after door skin replacement. The motor runs in neither direction and no other door-circuit fault is present. The technician should check FIRST:

• AThe A/C compressor clutch
• BThe wheel alignment
• CThe brake fluid level
• DThe connector and wiring disturbed during the door repair

When using a test light to probe a circuit on a vehicle with sensitive control modules, the technician should:

• APrefer a high-impedance DMM or a logic/LED probe to avoid loading the circuit
• BUse a high-wattage 12V test bulb on every wire
• CProbe directly into airbag circuits to verify them
• DPierce every wire to test it

A parasitic battery drain appears after a collision repair. The BEST approach to find it is to:

• AReplace the battery and alternator first
• BMeasure key-off current draw and pull fuses systematically to isolate the circuit
• CAdd a larger battery
• DDisconnect the radio permanently

Tech A says corrosion at a terminal increases circuit resistance. Tech B says you should always reuse stretched or burned terminals to save parts. Who is correct?

• ABoth A and B
• BTech B only
• CTech A only
• DNeither A nor B

After welding near a vehicle's harness during structural repair, an unprotected control module can be damaged by:

• ALow coolant level
• BExcess A/C refrigerant
• CHigh tire pressure
• DWelding current finding a path through the module if the ground clamp is poorly placed

A DTC for a wheel speed sensor sets after a front knuckle was replaced. The MOST likely cause is:

• AA damaged sensor, tone ring, or its connector disturbed during the repair
• BA weak coil spring
• CLow power steering fluid
• DA clogged cabin filter

When measuring source voltage available to a load, the voltmeter should be connected:

• AIn series with the load
• BIn parallel with the load (across it)
• CIn place of the fuse
• DOnly to chassis ground

After collision repair, an electric power steering (EPS) system requires a calibration/initialization because:

• AThe tires were rotated
• BThe battery was charged
• CThe steering angle/torque sensor zero point must be relearned after disturbing the steeri…
• DThe A/C was recharged

A jumper wire (fused) is used during diagnosis to:

• AReplace the ground connection forever
• BPermanently repair the open circuit
• CIncrease circuit voltage
• DTemporarily bypass a suspected open component or switch to confirm the fault

A repaired vehicle shows multiple unrelated electrical faults. Before chasing each code, the technician should verify:

• ABattery condition and the integrity of main grounds/power feeds
• BTire tread depth
• CBrake pad thickness
• DEngine oil level

A connector terminal must be removed for repair. The CORRECT tool/method is:

• AA small screwdriver forced into any slot
• BThe proper terminal release/pick tool for that connector to avoid damaging the terminal o…
• CPliers to pull the wire out
• DHeat to melt the connector body

After a memory-saver was NOT used during battery disconnect, the customer reports the windows auto-up no longer works. The technician should:

• ARealign the front end
• BReplace the window motor
• CPerform the power-window/anti-pinch initialization per the service procedure
• DRecharge the A/C