Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
AUTOD063.
Course Title (CB02)
Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Principles of operation, service and repair procedures for automatic transmissions and transaxles. Hydraulic and mechanical system operation. Power flow and component repair techniques. Preparation for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification examination in Area A2.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This CTE, CSU transferable course is a recommendation from industry advisory committees to help better prepare students to diagnose and repair automatic transmissions. The course is part of an AS degree in Automotive Powertrain Technology and is also required for NATEF certification.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
9.0
Maximum Credit Units
9.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours9.018.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
108.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
108.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
216.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
216.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

  • ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.
  • Elementary algebra or equivalent (or higher), or appropriate placement beyond elementary algebra

AUTO D050A and AUTO D050B

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments from textbook and handouts
  2. Observe demonstration of the following tasks.
    1. Teardown and assemble and automatic transmission and transaxle
    2. Describe the operation of an automatic transmission and transaxle
    3. Perform basic diagnosis of automatic transmission and transaxle

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Multiple choice and/or essay questions that cover the topics discussed in class and from reading assignments. Tests will be graded and scored with points awarded for each correct answer.
  2. A midterm examination consisting of multiple choice questions that cover all of the material covered in class to that point and from reading assignments. Test will be graded and scored with points awarded for each correct answer.
  3. A comprehensive final examination of multiple choice and/or essay questions. Test will be graded and scored with points awarded for each correct answer.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Safety glasses for lab demonstrations
Essential College Facilities:
  • Lecture classroom and automotive laboratory for demonstrations
  • Information web sites
  • All DATA electronic information system (WEB based), http://library.alldatapro.com
  • Mitchell on demand electronic information system (WEB based), http://Shopkey5.com

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles by James Halderman 7th edition 2018, Pearson.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Manufacturers' service manuals as required
All Data and Mitchell transmission on line information systems, http://library.alldata.com, http://Shopkey5.com
Printed transmission repair reference manuals

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Explain powerflow through automatic transmissions and transaxles.
  • Explain and demonstrate basic hydraulic principles, planetary gears, clutches, bands and servos
  • Explain and demonstrate throttle valves, vacuum modulators and governors
  • Classify, explain and demonstrate electronic controls
  • Explain rebuilding standards for automatic transmissions and transaxles
  • Determine a diagnostic procedure

CSLOs

  • Show an understanding of how a torque converter works.

  • Show an understanding of the inputs to transmission that create both up and downshifts.

Outline

  1. Explain powerflow through automatic transmissions and transaxles.
    1. Theory of operation of torque converters and oil pumps.
    2. Service requirements and repair procedures
    3. Planetary gear flow
    4. Clutch/Band application charts
  2. Explain and demonstrate basic hydraulic principles, planetary gears, clutches, bands and servos
    1. Theory of operation. Understand failure diagnosis of each component
      1. Pascals laws of hydraulics
      2. Determining between lubrication, stress, or mechanical failure.
    2. Service requirements and repair procedures
      1. Fluid level inspection
      2. Fluid types
      3. Fluid level adjustment
  3. Explain and demonstrate throttle valves, vacuum modulators and governors
    1. Theory of operation
      1. Throttle cable input
      2. Vacuum modulator input
      3. Shift valve operation based on inputs.
    2. Service requirements and repair procedures
      1. Symptom based diagnosis of inputs
      2. Proper input adjustments
      3. Valve body inspection procedures.
  4. Classify, explain and demonstrate electronic controls
    1. Theory of operation
      1. Speed sensors
      2. Pressure sensors and switches
      3. Range sensors and switches
    2. Service requirements and repair procedures
      1. Diagnosis with a scan tool and digital volt meter
      2. Replacement of failed components
      3. After repair computer based reset procedures
  5. Explain rebuilding standards for automatic transmissions and transaxles
    1. Observe transmission tear down and inspection
    2. Estimating repair parts and labor costs
      1. Determining parts cost and mark up for profit.
      2. Determining correct labor time for repair per industry standards.
  6. Determine a diagnostic procedure
    1. Symptomatic approach
      1. Road test techniques
      2. In car inspections
    2. Trouble codes and data
      1. Retrieving codes with a scan tool
      2. Follow manufacturers diagnostic procedure to determine failure.
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