Automotive Terms

 

GLOSSARY

 

ABS: Anti-lock braking system. An electro-mechanical braking system which is designed to minimize or prevent wheel lock-up during braking.

 

ABSOLUTE PRESSURE: Atmospheric (barometric) pressure plus the pressure gauge reading.

 

ACCELERATOR PUMP: A small pump located in the carburetor that feeds fuel into the air/fuel mixture during acceleration.

 

ACCUMULATOR: A device that controls shift quality by cushioning the shock of hydraulic oil pressure being applied to a clutch or band.

 

ACTUATING MECHANISM: The mechanical output devices of a hydraulic system, for example, clutch pistons and band servos.

 

ACTUATOR: The output component of a hydraulic or electronic system.

ADVANCE: Setting the ignition timing so that spark occurs earlier before the piston reaches top dead center (TDC).

 

ADAPTIVE MEMORY (ADAPTIVE STRATEGY): The learning ability of the TCM or PCM to redefine its decision-making process to provide optimum shift quality.

 

AFTER TOP DEAD CENTER (ATDC): The point after the piston reaches the top of its travel on the compression stroke.

 

AIR BAG: Device on the inside of the car designed to inflate on impact of crash, protecting the occupants of the car.

 

AIR CHARGE TEMPERATURE (ACT) SENSOR: The temperature of the airflow into the engine is measured by an ACT sensor, usually located in the lower intake manifold or air cleaner.

 

ALDL (assembly line diagnostic link): Electrical connector for scanning ECM/PCM/TCM input and output devices.

 

AIR CLEANER: An assembly consisting of a housing, filter and any connecting ductwork. The filter element is made up of a porous paper, sometimes with a wire mesh screening, and is designed to prevent airborne particles from entering the engine through the carburetor or throttle body.

 

AIR INJECTION: One method of reducing harmful exhaust emissions by injecting air into each of the exhaust ports of an engine. The fresh air entering the hot exhaust manifold causes any remaining fuel to be burned before it can exit the tailpipe.

 

AIR PUMP: An emission control device that supplies fresh air to the exhaust manifold to aid in more completely burning ex­haust gases.

 

AIR/FUEL RATIO: The ratio of air-to-gasoline by weight in the fuel mixture drawn into the engine.

 

ALIGNMENT RACK: A special drive-on vehicle lift apparatus/measuring device used to adjust a vehicle's toe, caster and camber angles.

 

ALL WHEEL DRIVE: Term used to describe a full time four wheel drive system or any other vehicle drive system that continuously delivers power to all four wheels. This system is found primarily on station wagon vehicles and SUVs not utilized for significant off road use.

 

ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC): Elec­tric current that flows first in one direction, then in the op­posite direction, continually reversing flow.

 

ALTERNATOR: A device which pro­duces AC (alternating current) which is converted to DC (direct current) to charge the car battery.

 

AMMETER: An instrument, calibrated in amperes, used to measure the flow of an electrical current in a circuit. Ammeters are always connected in series with the circuit being tested.

 

AMPERAGE:The total amount of current (amperes) flowing in a circuit.

 

AMPLIFIER: A device used in an electrical circuit to increase the voltage of an output signal.

 

AMP/HR. RATING (BATTERY):  Measurement of the ability of a battery to deliver a stated amount of current for a stated period of time. The higher the amp/hr. rating, the better the battery.

 

AMPERE: The rate of flow of electrical current present when one volt of electrical pressure is applied against one ohm of electrical resistance.

 

ANALOG COMPUTER: Any microprocessor that uses similar (analogous) electrical signals to make its calculations.

 

ANODIZED: A special coating applied to the surface of aluminum valves for extended service life.

 

ANTIFREEZE: A substance (ethyl­ene or propylene glycol) added to the cool­ant to prevent freezing in cold weather.

 

ANTI-FOAM AGENTS: Minimize fluid foaming from the whipping action encountered in the converter and planetary action.

 

ANTI-WEAR AGENTS: Zinc agents that control wear on the gears, bushings, and thrust washers.

 

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM: A supplementary system to the base hydraulic system that prevents sustained lock-up of the wheels during braking as well as automatically controlling wheel slip.

 

ANTI-ROLL BAR: See stabilizer bar.

 

ARC: A flow of electricity through the air between two electrodes or contact points that produces a spark.

 

ARMATURE: A laminated, soft iron core wrapped by a wire that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy as in a motor or relay. When rotated in a magnetic field, it changes mechanical energy into electrical energy as in a generator.

 

ATDC: After Top Dead Center.

 

ATF: Automatic transmission fluid.

 

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE: The pressure on the Earth's surface caused by the weight of the air in the atmosphere. At sea level, this pressure is 14.7 psi at 32<deg.>F (101 kPa at 0<deg.>C).

 

ATOMIZATION: The breaking down of a liquid into a fine mist that can be suspended in air.

 

AUXILIARY ADD-ON COOLER: A supplemental transmission fluid cooling device that is installed in series with the heat exchanger (cooler), located inside the radiator, to provide additional support to cool the hot fluid leaving the torque converter.

 

AUXILIARY PRESSURE: An added fluid pressure that is introduced into a regulator or balanced valve system to control valve movement. The auxiliary pressure itself can be either a fixed or a variable value. (See balanced valve; regulator valve.)

 

AWD: All wheel drive.

 

AXIAL FORCE: A side or end thrust force acting in or along the same plane as the power flow.

 

AXIAL PLAY: Movement parallel to a shaft or bearing bore.

 

AXLE CAPACITY: The maximum load-carrying capacity of the axle itself, as specified by the manufacturer. This is usually a higher number than the GAWR.

 

AXLE RATIO: This is a number (3.07:1, 4.56:1, for example) ex­pressing the ratio between driveshaft revolutions and wheel revolutions. A low nu­merical ratio allows the engine to work easier because it doesn't have to turn as fast. A high numerical ratio means that the engine has to turn more rpm's to move the wheels through the same number of turns.

 

BACKFIRE: The sudden combustion of gases in the intake or exhaust system that results in a loud explosion.

 

BACKLASH: The clearance or play between two parts, such as meshed gears.

 

BACKPRESSURE: Restrictions in the exhaust system that slow the exit of exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.

 

BAKELITE: A heat resistant, plastic insulator material com­monly used in printed circuit boards and transistorized components.

 

BALANCED VALVE: A valve that is positioned by opposing auxiliary hydraulic pressures and/or spring force. Examples include mainline regulator, throttle, and governor valves. (See regulator valve.)

 

BAND: A flexible ring of steel with an inner lining of friction material. When tightened around the outside of a drum, a planetary member is held stationary to the transmission/transaxle case.

 

BALL BEARING: A bearing made up of hardened inner and outer races between which hardened steel balls roll.

 

BALL JOINT: A ball and matching socket connecting suspension components (steering knuckle to lower control arms). It per­mits rotating movement in any direction between the compo­nents that are joined.

 

BARO (BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR): Measures the change in the intake manifold pressure caused by changes in altitude.

 

BAROMETRIC MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (BMAP) SENSOR: Operates similarly to a conventional MAP sensor; reads intake manifold pressure and is also responsible for determining altitude and barometric pressure prior to engine operation.

 

BAROMETRIC PRESSURE: (See atmospheric pressure.)

 

BALLAST RESISTOR: A resistor in the primary ignition circuit that lowers voltage after the engine is started to reduce wear on ignition components.

 

BATTERY: A direct current electrical storage unit, consisting of the basic active materials of lead and sulfuric acid, which converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Used to provide current for the operation of the starter as well as other equipment, such as the radio, lighting, etc.

 

BEAD: The portion of a tire that holds it on the rim.

 

BEARING: A friction reducing, supportive device usually lo­cated between a stationary part and a moving part.

 

BEFORE TOP DEAD CENTER (BTDC): The point just before the piston reaches the top of its travel on the compression stroke.

 

BELTED TIRE: Tire construction similar to bias-ply tires, but using two or more layers of reinforced belts between body plies and the tread.

 

BEZEL: Piece of metal surround­ing radio, headlights, gauges or similar components; some­times used to hold the glass face of a gauge in the dash.

 

BIAS-PLY TIRE: Tire construction, using body ply reinforcing cords which run at alternating angles to the center line of the tread.

 

BI-METAL TEMPERATURE SENSOR: Any sensor or switch made of two dissimilar types of metal that bend when heated or cooled due to the different expansion rates of the alloys. These types of sensors usually function as an on/off switch.

 

BLOCK: See Engine Block.

 

BLOW-BY: Combustion gases, composed of water vapor and unburned fuel, that leak past the piston rings into the crank­case during normal engine operation. These gases are re­moved by the PCV system to prevent the buildup of harmful acids in the crankcase.

 

BOOK TIME: See Labor Time.

 

BOOK VALUE: The average value of a car, widely used to deter­mine trade-in and resale value.

 

BOOST VALVE: Used at the base of the regulator valve to increase mainline pressure.

 

BORE: Diameter of a cylinder.

 

BRAKE CALIPER: The housing that fits over the brake disc. The caliper holds the brake pads, which are pressed against the discs by the caliper pistons when the brake pedal is de­pressed.

 

BRAKE HORSEPOWER(BHP): The actual horsepower available at the engine flywheel as measured by a dynamometer.

 

BRAKE FADE: Loss of braking power, usually caused by ex­cessive heat after repeated brake applications.

 

BRAKE HORSEPOWER: Usable horsepower of an engine mea­sured at the crankshaft.

 

BRAKE PAD: A brake shoe and lining assembly used with disc brakes.

 

BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE: A valve on the master cylinder which restricts hydraulic brake pressure to the wheels to a specified amount, preventing wheel lock-up.

 

BREAKAWAY: Often used by Chrysler to identify first-gear operation in D and 2 ranges. In these ranges, first-gear operation depends on a one-way roller clutch that holds on acceleration and releases (breaks away) on deceleration, resulting in a freewheeling coast-down condition.

 

BRAKE SHOE: The backing for the brake lining. The term is, however, usually applied to the assembly of the brake backing and lining.

 

BREAKER POINTS: A set of points inside the distributor, operated by a cam, which make and break the ignition circuit.

 

BRINNELLING: A wear pattern identified by a series of indentations at regular intervals. This condition is caused by a lack of lube, overload situations, and/or vibrations.

 

BTDC: Before Top Dead Center.

 

BUMP: Sudden and forceful apply of a clutch or band.

 

BUSHING: A liner, usually removable, for a bearing; an anti-friction liner used in place of a bearing.

 

CALIFORNIA ENGINE: An engine certified by the EPA for use in California only; conforms to more stringent emission regu­lations than Federal engine.

 

CALIPER: A hydraulically activated device in a disc brake system, which is mounted straddling the brake rotor (disc). The caliper contains at least one piston and two brake pads. Hy­draulic pressure on the piston(s) forces the pads against the rotor.

 

CAPACITY: The quantity of electricity that can be delivered from a unit, as from a battery in ampere-hours, or output, as from a generator.

 

CAMBER: One of the factors of wheel alignment. Viewed from the front of the car, it is the in­ward or outward tilt of the wheel. The top of the tire will lean outward (positive cam­ber) or inward (negative cam­ber).

 

CAMSHAFT: A shaft in the engine on which are the lobes (cams) which operate the valves. The camshaft is driven by the crankshaft, via a belt, chain or gears, at one half the crankshaft speed.

 

CANCER: Rust on a car body.

 

CAPACITOR: A device which stores an electrical charge.

 

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO): A colorless, odorless gas given off as a normal byproduct of combustion. It is poisonous and extremely dangerous in confined areas, building up slowly to toxic levels without warning if adequate ventilation is not available.

 

CARBURETOR: A device, usually mounted on the intake manifold of an engine, which mixes the air and fuel in the proper proportion to allow even combustion.

 

CASTER: The forward or rear­ward tilt of an imaginary line drawn through the upper ball joint and the center of the wheel. Viewed from the sides, positive caster (forward tilt) lends directional stability, while negative caster (rear­ward tilt) produces instability.

 

CATALYTIC CONVERTER: A device installed in the exhaust system, like a muffler, that converts harmful byproducts of combustion into carbon dioxide and water vapor by means of a heat-producing chemical reaction.

 

CENTRIFUGAL ADVANCE: A mechanical method of advanc­ing the spark timing by using flyweights in the distributor that react to centrifugal force generated by the distributor shaft rotation.

 

CENTRIFUGAL FORCE: The outward pull of a revolving object, away from the center of revolution. Centrifugal force increases with the speed of rotation.

 

CETANE RATING: A measure of the ignition value of diesel fuel. The higher the cetane rating, the better the fuel. Diesel fuel cetane rating is roughly com­parable to gasoline octane rat­ing.

 

CHECK VALVE: Any one-way valve installed to permit the flow of air, fuel or vacuum in one direction only.

 

CHOKE: The valve/plate that restricts the amount of air entering an engine on the induction stroke, thereby enriching the air/fuel ratio.

 

CHUGGLE: Bucking or jerking condition that may be engine related and may be most noticeable when converter clutch is engaged; similar to the feel of towing a trailer.

 

CIRCLIP: A split steel snapring that fits into a groove to hold various parts in place.

 

CIRCUIT BREAKER: A switch which protects an electrical circuit from overload by opening the circuit when the current flow exceeds a pre-determined level. Some circuit breakers must be reset manually, while most reset automatically.

 

CIRCUIT: Any unbroken path through which an electrical cur­rent can flow. Also used to describe fuel flow in some instances.

 

CIRCUIT, BYPASS: Another circuit in parallel with the major circuit through which power is diverted.

 

CIRCUIT, CLOSED: An electrical circuit in which there is no interruption of current flow.

 

CIRCUIT, GROUND: The non-insulated portion of a complete circuit used as a common potential point. In automotive circuits, the ground is composed of metal parts, such as the engine, body sheet metal, and frame and is usually a negative potential.

 

CIRCUIT, HOT: That portion of a circuit not at ground potential. The hot circuit is usually insulated and is connected to the positive side of the battery.

 

CIRCUIT, OPEN: A break or lack of contact in an electrical circuit, either intentional (switch) or unintentional (bad connection or broken wire).

 

CIRCUIT, PARALLEL: A circuit having two or more paths for current flow with common positive and negative tie points. The same voltage is applied to each load device or parallel branch.

 

CIRCUIT, SERIES: An electrical system in which separate parts are connected end to end, using one wire, to form a single path for current to flow.

 

CIRCUIT, SHORT: A circuit that is accidentally completed in an electrical path for which it was not intended.

 

CLAMPING (ISOLATION) DIODES: Diodes positioned in a circuit to prevent self-induction from damaging electronic components.

 

CLEARCOAT: A transparent layer which, when sprayed over a vehicle's paint job, adds gloss and depth as well as an additional protective coating to the finish. 

 

CLUTCH: Part of the power train used to connect/disconnect power to the rear wheels.

 

CLUTCH, FLUID: The same as a fluid coupling. A fluid clutch or coupling performs the same function as a friction clutch by utilizing fluid friction and inertia as opposed to solid friction used by a friction clutch. (See fluid coupling.)

 

CLUTCH, FRICTION: A coupling device that provides a means of smooth and positive engagement and disengagement of engine torque to the vehicle powertrain. Transmission of power through the clutch is accomplished by bringing one or more rotating drive members into contact with complementing driven members.

 

COAST: Vehicle deceleration caused by engine braking conditions.

 

COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION: The amount of surface tension between two contacting surfaces; identified by a scientifically calculated number.

 

COIL: Part of the ignition system that boosts the relatively low voltage supplied by the car's electrical system to the high voltage required to fire the spark plugs.

 

COMBINATION MANIFOLD: An assembly which includes both the intake and exhaust manifolds in one casting.

 

COMBINATION VALVE: A device used in some fuel systems that routes fuel vapors to a charcoal storage canister instead of venting them into the atmosphere. The valve relieves fuel tank pressure and allows fresh air into the tank as the fuel level drops to prevent a vapor lock situation.

 

COMBUSTION CHAMBER: The part of the engine in the cylinder head where combustion takes place.

 

COMPOUND GEAR: A gear consisting of two or more simple gears with a common shaft.

 

COMPOUND PLANETARY: A gearset that has more than the three elements found in a simple gearset and is constructed by combining members of two planetary gearsets to create additional gear ratio possibilities.

 

COMPRESSION CHECK: A test in­volving removing each spark plug and inserting a gauge. When the engine is cranked, the gauge will record a pres­sure reading in the individual cylinder. General operating condition can be determined from a compression check.

 

COMPRESSION RATIO: The ratio of the volume between the piston and cylinder head when the piston is at the bottom of its stroke (bottom dead center) and when the piston is at the top of its stroke (top dead center).

 

COMPUTER: An electronic control module that correlates input data according to prearranged engineered instructions; used for the management of an actuator system or systems.

 

CONDENSER: 1. An electrical device which acts to store an electrical charge, preventing voltage surges. 2. A radiator-like device in the air conditioning system in which refrigerant gas condenses into a liquid, giving off heat.

 

CONDUCTOR: Any material through which an electrical cur­rent can be transmitted easily.

 

CONNECTING ROD: The connecting link between the crankshaft and piston.

 

CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT: Type of universal joint in a halfshaft assembly in which the output shaft turns at a constant angular velocity without variation, provided that the speed of the input shaft is constant.

 

CONTINUITY: Continuous or complete circuit. Can be checked with an ohmmeter.

 

CONTROL ARM: The upper or lower suspension components which are mounted on the frame and sup­port the ball joints and steer­ing knuckles.

 

CONVENTIONAL IGNITION: Ignition system which uses breaker points.

 

CONVERTER: (See torque converter.)

 

CONVERTER LOCKUP: The switching from hydrodynamic to direct mechanical drive, usually through the application of a friction element called the converter clutch.

 

COOLANT: Mixture of water and anti-freeze circulated through the engine to carry off heat produced by the engine.

 

CORROSION INHIBITOR: An inhibitor in ATF that prevents corrosion of bushings, thrust washers, and oil cooler brazed joints.

 

COUNTERSHAFT: An intermediate shaft which is rotated by a mainshaft and transmits, in turn, that rotation to a working part.

 

COUPLING PHASE: Occurs when the torque converter is operating at its greatest hydraulic efficiency. The speed differential between the impeller and the turbine is at its minimum. At this point, the stator freewheels, and there is no torque multiplication.

 

CRANKCASE: The lower part of an engine in which the crankshaft and related parts operate.

 

CRANKSHAFT: Engine component (connected to pistons by con­necting rods) which converts the reciprocating (up and down) motion of pistons to ro­tary motion used to turn the driveshaft.

 

CURB WEIGHT: The weight of a ve­hicle without passengers or payload, but including all fluids (oil, gas, coolant, etc.) and other equipment specified as standard.

 

CURRENT: The flow (or rate) of electrons moving through a circuit. Current is measured in amperes (amp).

 

CURRENT FLOW CONVENTIONAL: Current flows through a circuit from the positive terminal of the source to the negative terminal (plus to minus).

 

CURRENT FLOW, ELECTRON: Current or electrons flow from the negative terminal of the source, through the circuit, to the positive terminal (minus to plus).

 

CV-JOINT: Constant velocity joint.

 

CYCLIC VIBRATIONS: The off-center movement of a rotating object that is affected by its initial balance, speed of rotation, and working angles.

 

CYLINDER BLOCK: See engine block.

 

CYLINDER HEAD: The detachable portion of the engine, usu­ally fastened to the top of the cylinder block and containing all or most of the combustion chambers. On overhead valve en­gines, it contains the valves and their operating parts. On overhead cam engines, it contains the camshaft as well.

 

CYLINDER: In an engine, the round hole in the engine block in which the piston(s) ride.

 

DATA LINK CONNECTOR  (DLC): Current acronym/term applied to the federally mandated, diagnostic junction connector that is used to monitor ECM/PC/TCM inputs, processing strategies, and outputs including diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).

 

DEAD CENTER: The extreme top or bottom of the piston stroke.

 

DECELERATION BUMP: When referring to a torque converter clutch in the applied position, a sudden release of the accelerator pedal causes a forceful reversal of power through the drivetrain (engine braking), just prior to the apply plate actually being released.

 

DELAYED (LATE OR EXTENDED): Condition where shift is expected but does not occur for a period of time, for example, where clutch or band engagement does not occur as quickly as expected during part throttle or wide open throttle apply of accelerator or when manually downshifting to a lower range.

 

DETENT: A spring-loaded plunger, pin, ball, or pawl used as a holding device on a ratchet wheel or shaft. In automatic transmissions, a detent mechanism is used for locking the manual valve in place.

 

DETENT DOWNSHIFT: (See kickdown.)

 

DETERGENT: An additive in engine oil to improve its operating characteristics.

 

DETONATION: An unwanted explosion of the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber caused by excess heat and com­pression, advanced timing, or an overly lean mixture. Also re­ferred to as "ping".

 

DEXRON<reg.>: A brand of automatic transmission fluid.

 

DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCs): A digital display from the control module memory that identifies the input, processor, or output device circuit that is related to the powertrain emission/driveability malfunction detected. Diagnostic trouble codes can be read by the MIL to flash any codes or by using a handheld scanner.

 

DIAPHRAGM: A thin, flexible wall separating two cavities, such as in a vacuum advance unit.

 

DIESELING: The engine continues to run after the car is shut off; caused by fuel continuing to be burned in the combustion chamber.

 

DIFFERENTIAL: A geared assembly which allows the transmission of motion between drive axles, giving one axle the ability to rotate faster than the other, as in cornering.

 

DIFFERENTIAL AREAS: When opposing faces of a spool valve are acted upon by the same pressure but their areas differ in size, the face with the larger area produces the differential force and valve movement. (See spool valve.)

 

DIFFERENTIAL FORCE: (See differential areas.) digital readout: A display of numbers or a combination of numbers and letters.

 

DIGITAL VOLT OHMMETER: An electronic diagnostic tool used to measure voltage, ohms and amps as well as several other functions, with the readings displayed on a digital screen in tenths, hundredths and thousandths.

 

DIODE: An electrical device that will allow current to flow in one direction only.

 

DIRECT CURRENT (DC): Electrical current that flows in one direc­tion only.

 

DIRECT DRIVE: The gear ratio is 1:1, with no change occurring in the torque and speed input/output relationship.

 

DISC BRAKE: A hydraulic braking assembly consisting of a brake disc, or rotor, mounted on an axle shaft, and a caliper assem­bly containing, usually two brake pads which are activated by hydraulic pressure. The pads are forced against the sides of the disc, creating friction which slows the vehicle.

 

DISPERSANTS: Suspend dirt and prevent sludge buildup. double bump (double feel): Two sudden and forceful applies of a clutch or band.

 

DISPLACEMENT: The total volume of air that is displaced by all pistons as the engine turns through one complete revolu­tion.

 

DISTRIBUTOR: A mechanically driven device on an engine which is responsible for electrically firing the spark plug at a pre-determined point of the piston stroke.

 

DOHC: Double overhead cam­shaft.

 

DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAMSHAFT: The engine utilizes two camshafts mounted in one cylinder head. One camshaft operates the exhaust valves, while the other operates the intake valves.

 

DOWEL PIN: A pin, inserted in mating holes in two different parts allowing those parts to maintain a fixed relationship.

 

DRIVELINE: The drive connection between the transmission and the drive wheels.

 

DRIVE TRAIN: The components that transmit the flow of power from the engine to the wheels. The components include the clutch, transmission, driveshafts (or axle shafts in front wheel drive), U-joints and differential.

 

DRUM BRAKE: A braking system which consists of two brake shoes and one or two wheel cylinders, mounted on a fixed backing plate, and a brake drum, mounted on an axle, which revolves around the assembly.

 

DRY CHARGED BATTERY: Battery to which electrolyte is added when the battery is placed in service.

 

DVOM: Digital volt ohmmeter

 

DWELL: The rate, measured in degrees of shaft rotation, at which an electrical circuit cycles on and off.

 

DYNAMIC: A sealing application in which there is rotating or reciprocating motion between the parts.

 

EARLY: Condition where shift occurs before vehicle has reached proper speed, which tends to labor engine after upshift.

 

EBCM: See Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

 

ECM: See Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

 

ECU: Electronic control unit.

 

ELECTRODE: Conductor (positive or negative) of electric current.

 

ELECTROLYSIS: A surface etching or bonding of current conducting transmission/transaxle components that may occur when grounding straps are missing or in poor condition.

 

ELECTROLYTE: A solution of water and sulfuric acid used to ac­tivate the battery. Electrolyte is extremely corrosive.

 

ELECTROMAGNET: A coil that produces a magnetic field when current flows through its windings.

 

ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION: A method to create (generate) current flow through the use of magnetism.

 

ELECTROMAGNETISM: The effects surrounding the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

 

ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE (EMF): The force or pressure (voltage) that causes current movement in an electrical circuit.

 

ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT: A digital computer that controls engine (and sometimes transmission, brake or other vehicle system) functions based on data received from various sensors. Examples used by some manufacturers include Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM), Engine Control Module (ECM), Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Vehicle Control Module (VCM).

 

ELECTRONIC IGNITION: A system in which the timing and firing of the spark plugs is controlled by an electronic control unit, usually called a module. These systems have no points or condenser.

 

ELECTRONIC PRESSURE CONTROL (EPC) SOLENOID: A specially designed solenoid containing a spool valve and spring assembly to control fluid mainline pressure. A variable current flow, controlled by the ECM/PCM, varies the internal force of the solenoid on the spool valve and resulting mainline pressure. (See variable force solenoid.)

 

ELECTRONICS: Miniaturized electrical circuits utilizing semiconductors, solid-state devices, and printed circuits. Electronic circuits utilize small amounts of power.

 

ELECTRONIFICATION: The application of electronic circuitry to a mechanical device. Regarding automatic transmissions, electrification is incorporated into converter clutch lockup, shift scheduling, and line pressure control systems.

 

ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD): An unwanted, high-voltage electrical current released by an individual who has taken on a static charge of electricity. Electronic components can be easily damaged by ESD.

 

ELEMENT: A device within a hydrodynamic drive unit designed with a set of blades to direct fluid flow.

 

ENAMEL: Type of paint that dries to a smooth, glossy finish.

 

END BUMP (END FEEL OR SLIP BUMP):Firmer feel at end of shift when compared with feel at start of shift.

 

END-PLAY: The clearance/gap between two components that allows for expansion of the parts as they warm up, to prevent binding and to allow space for lubrication.

 

ENERGY: The ability or capacity to do work.

 

ENGINE: The primary motor or power apparatus of a vehicle, which converts liquid or gas fuel into mechanical energy.

 

ENGINE BLOCK: The basic engine casting containing the cylinders, the crankshaft main bearings, as well as machined surfaces for the mounting of other components such as the cylinder head, oil pan, transmission, etc..

 

ENGINE BRAKING: Use of engine to slow vehicle by manually downshifting during zero-throttle coast down.

 

ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM): Manages the engine and incorporates output control over the torque converter clutch solenoid. (Note: Current designation for the ECM in late model vehicles is PCM.)

 

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE (ECT) SENSOR: Prevents converter clutch engagement with a cold engine; also used for shift timing and shift quality.

 

EP LUBRICANT: EP (extreme pressure) lubricants are spe­cially formulated for use with gears involving heavy loads (transmissions, differentials, etc.).

 

ETHYL: A substance added to gas­oline to improve its resistance to knock, by slowing down the rate of combustion.

 

ETHYLENE GLYCOL: The base sub­stance of antifreeze.

 

EXHAUST MANIFOLD: A set of cast passages or pipes which conduct exhaust gases from the engine.

 

FAIL-SAFE (BACKUP) CONTROL: A substitute value used by the PCM/TCM to replace a faulty signal from an input sensor. The temporary value allows the vehicle to continue to be operated.

 

FAST IDLE: The speed of the engine when the choke is on. Fast idle speeds engine warm-­up.

 

FEDERAL ENGINE: An engine cer­tified by the EPA for use in any of the 49 states (except California).

 

FEEDBACK: A circuit malfunction whereby current can find another path to feed load devices.

 

FEELER GAUGE: A blade, usually metal, of precisely prede­termined thickness, used to measure the clearance between two parts.

 

FILAMENT: The part of a bulb that glows; the filament creates high resistance to cur­rent flow and actually glows from the resulting heat.

 

FINAL DRIVE: An essential part of the axle drive assembly where final gear reduction takes place in the powertrain. In RWD applications and north-south FWD applications, it must also change the power flow direction to the axle shaft by ninety degrees. (Also see axle ratio).

 

FIRING ORDER: The order in which combustion occurs in the cylinders of an engine. Also the order in which spark is distrib­uted to the plugs by the distributor.

 

FIRM: A noticeable quick apply of a clutch or band that is considered normal with medium to heavy throttle shift; should not be confused with harsh or rough.

 

FLAME FRONT: The term used to describe certain aspects of the fuel explosion in the cylinders. The flame front should move in a controlled pattern across the cylinder, rather than simply exploding immediately.

 

FLARE (SLIPPING): A quick increase in engine rpm accompanied by momentary loss of torque; generally occurs during shift.

 

FLAT ENGINE: Engine design in which the pistons are horizon­tally opposed. Porsche, Subaru and some old VW are common examples of flat engines.

 

FLAT RATE: A dealership term referring to the amount of money paid to a technician for a repair or diagnostic service based on that particular service versus dealership's labor time (NOT based on the actual time the technician spent on the job).

 

FLAT SPOT: A point during accel­eration when the engine seems to lose power for an instant.

 

FLOODING: The presence of too much fuel in the intake manifold and combustion chamber which prevents the air/fuel mixture from firing, thereby causing a no-start situation.

 

FLUID: A fluid can be either liquid or gas. In hydraulics, a liquid is used for transmitting force or motion.

 

FLUID COUPLING: The simplest form of hydrodynamic drive, the fluid coupling consists of two look-alike members with straight radial varies referred to as the impeller (pump) and the turbine. input torque is always equal to the output torque.

 

FLUID DRIVE: Either a fluid coupling or a fluid torque converter. (See hydrodynamic drive units.)

 

FLUID TORQUE CONVERTER: A hydrodynamic drive that has the ability to act both as a torque multiplier and fluid coupling. (See hydrodynamic drive units; torque converter.)

 

FLUID VISCOSITY: The resistance of a liquid to flow. A cold fluid (oil) has greater viscosity and flows more slowly than a hot fluid (oil).

 

FLYWHEEL: A heavy disc of metal attached to the rear of the crankshaft. It smoothes the fir­ing impulses of the engine and keeps the crankshaft turning during periods when no firing takes place. The starter also engages the flywheel to start the engine.

 

FOOT POUND (ft. lbs. or sometimes, ft. lb.): The amount of energy or work needed to raise an item weighing one pound, a distance of one foot.

 

FREEZE PLUG: A plug in the engine block which will be pushed out if the coolant freezes. Sometimes called ex­pansion plugs, they protect the block from cracking should the coolant freeze.

 

FRICTION: The resistance that occurs between contacting surfaces. This relationship is expressed by a ratio called the coefficient of friction (CL).

 

FRICTION, COEFFICIENT OF: The amount of surface tension between two contacting surfaces; expressed by a scientifically calculated number.

 

FRONT END ALIGNMENT: A service to set caster, camber and toe-in to the correct specifications. This will ensure that the car steers and handles properly and that the tires wear prop­erly.

 

FRICTION MODIFIER: Changes the coefficient of friction of the fluid between the mating steel and composition clutch/band surfaces during the engagement process and allows for a certain amount of intentional slipping for a good "shift-feel." full throttle detent downshift: A quick apply of accelerator pedal to its full travel, forcing a downshift.

 

FRONTAL AREA: The total frontal area of a vehicle exposed to air flow.

 

FUEL FILTER: A component of the fuel system containing a porous paper element used to prevent any impurities from entering the engine through the fuel system. It usually takes the form of a canister-like housing, mounted in-line with the fuel hose, located anywhere on a vehicle between the fuel tank and engine.

 

FUEL INJECTION: A system replac­ing the carburetor that sprays fuel into the cylinder through nozzles. The amount of fuel can be more precisely con­trolled with fuel injection.

 

FULL FLOATING AXLE: An axle in which the axle housing ex­tends through the wheel giv­ing bearing support on the outside of the housing. The front axle of a four-wheel drive vehicle is usually a full floating axle, as are the rear axles of many larger (_ ton and over) pick-ups and vans.

 

FULL-TIME FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE: A four-wheel drive system that continuously delivers power to all four wheels. A differential between the front and rear driveshafts permits variations in axle speeds to control gear wind-up without damage.

 

FUSE: A protective device in a circuit which prevents circuit overload by breaking the circuit when a specific amperage is present. The device is constructed around a strip or wire of a lower amperage rating than the circuit it is designed to protect. When an amperage higher than that stamped on the fuse is present in the circuit, the strip or wire melts, opening the circuit.

 

FUSIBLE LINK: A piece of wire in a wiring harness that per­forms the same job as a fuse. If overloaded, the fusible link will melt and interrupt the circuit.

 

FWD: Front wheel drive.

 

GAWR: (Gross axle weight rat­ing) the total maximum weight an axle is designed to carry.

 

GCW: (Gross combined weight) total combined weight of a tow vehicle and trailer.

 

GARAGE SHIFT: initial engagement feel of transmission, neutral to reverse or neutral to a forward drive.

 

GARAGE SHIFT FEEL: A quick check of the engagement quality and responsiveness of reverse and forward gears. This test is done with the vehicle stationary.

 

GEAR: A toothed mechanical device that acts as a rotating lever to transmit power or turning effort from one shaft to another. (See gear ratio.)

 

GEAR RATIO: A ratio expressing the number of turns a smaller gear will make to turn a larger gear through one revolution. The ratio is found by dividing the number of teeth on the smaller gear into the number of teeth on the larger gear.

 

GEARBOX: Transmission

 

GEAR REDUCTION: Torque is multiplied and speed decreased by the factor of the gear ratio. For example, a 3:1 gear ratio changes an input torque of 180 ft. lbs. and an input speed of 2700 rpm to 540 Ft. lbs. and 900 rpm, respectively. (No account is taken of frictional losses, which are always present.)

 

GEARTRAIN: A succession of intermeshing gears that form an assembly and provide for one or more torque changes as the power input is transmitted to the power output.

 

GEL COAT: A thin coat of plastic resin covering fiberglass body panels.

 

GENERATOR: A device which pro­duces direct current (DC) nec­essary to charge the battery.

 

GOVERNOR: A device that senses vehicle speed and generates a hydraulic oil pressure. As vehicle speed increases, governor oil pressure rises.

 

GROUND CIRCUIT: (See circuit, ground.)

 

GROUND SIDE SWITCHING: The electrical/electronic circuit control switch is located after the circuit load.

 

GVWR: (Gross vehicle weight rating) total maximum weight a vehicle is designed to carry including the weight of the ve­hicle, passengers, equipment, gas, oil, etc.

 

HALOGEN: A special type of lamp known for its quality of brilliant white light. Originally used for fog lights and driving lights.

 

HARD CODES: DTCs that are present at the time of testing; also called continuous or current codes.

 

HARSH(ROUGH): An apply of a clutch or band that is more noticeable than a firm one; considered undesirable at any throttle position.

 

HEADER TANK: An expansion tank for the radiator coolant. It can be located remotely or built into the radiator.

 

HEAT RANGE: A term used to de­scribe the ability of a spark plug to carry away heat. Plugs with longer nosed insulators take longer to carry heat off ef­fectively.

 

HEAT RISER: A flapper in the ex­haust manifold that is closed when the engine is cold, caus­ing hot exhaust gases to heat the intake manifold providing better cold engine operation. A thermostatic spring opens the flapper when the engine warms up.

 

HEAVY THROTTLE: Approximately three-fourths of accelerator pedal travel.

 

HEMI: A name given an engine using hemispherical combus­tion chambers.

 

HERTZ (HZ): The international unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second (10,000 Hertz equals 10,000 cycles per second).

 

HIGH-IMPEDANCE DVOM (DIGITAL VOLT-OHMMETER): This styled device provides a built-in resistance value and is capable of limiting circuit current flow to safe milliamp levels.

 

HIGH RESISTANCE: Often refers to a circuit where there is an excessive amount of opposition to normal current flow.

 

HORSEPOWER: A measurement of the amount of work; one horsepower is the amount of work necessary to lift 33,000 lbs. one foot in one minute. Brake horsepower (bhp) is the horsepower delivered by an engine on a dynamometer. Net horsepower is the power re­maining (measured at the fly­wheel of the engine) that can be used to turn the wheels after power is consumed through friction and running the engine accessories (water pump, alternator, air pump, fan etc.)

 

HOT CIRCUIT: (See circuit, hot; hot lead.) hot lead: A wire or conductor in the power side of the circuit. (See circuit, hot.)

 

HOT SIDE SWITCHING: The electrical/electronic circuit control switch is located before the circuit load.

 

HUB: The center part of a wheel or gear.

 

HUNTING (BUSYNESS): Repeating quick series of up-shifts and downshifts that causes noticeable change in engine rpm, for example, as in a 4-3-4 shift pattern.

 

HYDRAULICS: The use of liquid under pressure to transfer force of motion.

 

HYDROCARBON (HC): Any chemical compound made up of hydrogen and carbon. A major pollutant formed by the engine as a by-product of combustion.

 

HYDRODYNAMIC DRIVE UNITS: Devices that transmit power solely by the action of a kinetic fluid flow in a closed recirculating path. An impeller energizes the fluid and discharges the high-speed jet stream into the turbine for power output.

 

HYDROMETER: An instrument used to measure the specific gravity of a solution.

 

HYDROPLANING: A phenomenon of driving when water builds up under the tire tread, caus­ing it to lose contact with the road. Slowing down will usually restore normal tire contact with the road.

 

HYPOID GEARSET: The drive pinion gear may be placed below or above the centerline of the driven gear; often used as a final drive gearset.

 

IDLE MIXTURE: The mixture of air and fuel (usually about 14:1) being fed to the cylinders. The idle mixture screw(s) are sometimes adjusted as part of a tune-up.

 

IDLER ARM: Component of the steering linkage which is a geometric duplicate of the steering gear arm. It supports the right side of the center steering link.

 

IMPELLER: Often called a pump, the impeller is the power input (drive) member of a hydrodynamic drive. As part of the torque converter cover, it acts as a centrifugal pump and puts the fluid in motion.

 

INCH POUND (inch lbs.; sometimes in. lb. or in. lbs.): One twelfth of a foot pound.

 

INDUCTANCE: The force that produces voltage when a conductor is passed through a magnetic field.

 

INDUCTION: A means of transferring electrical energy in the form of a magnetic field. Principle used in the ignition coil to increase voltage.

 

INITIAL FEEL: A distinct firmer feel at start of shift when compared with feel at finish of shift.

 

INJECTOR: A device which receives metered fuel under rela­tively low pressure and is activated to inject the fuel into the engine under relatively high pressure at a predetermined time.

 

INPUT: In an automatic transmission, the source of power from the engine is absorbed by the torque converter, which provides the power input into the transmission. The turbine drives the input(turbine)shaft.

 

INPUT SHAFT: The shaft to which torque is applied, usually carrying the driving gear or gears.

 

INTAKE MANIFOLD: A casting of passages or pipes used to conduct air or a fuel/air mixture to the cylinders.

 

INTERNAL GEAR: The ring-like outer gear of a planetary gearset with the gear teeth cut on the inside of the ring to provide a mesh with the planet pinions.

 

ISOLATION (CLAMPING) DIODES: Diodes positioned in a circuit to prevent self-induction from damaging electronic components.

 

IX ROTARY GEAR PUMP: Contains two rotating members, one shaped with internal gear teeth and the other with external gear teeth. As the gears separate, the fluid fills the gaps between gear teeth, is pulled across a crescent-shaped divider, and then is forced to flow through the outlet as the gears mesh.

 

IX ROTARY LOBE PUMP: Sometimes referred to as a gerotor type pump. Two rotating members, one shaped with internal lobes and the other with external lobes, separate and then mesh to cause fluid to flow.

 

JOURNAL: The bearing surface within which a shaft operates.

 

JUMPER CABLES: Two heavy duty wires with large alligator clips used to provide power from a charged battery to a discharged battery mounted in a vehicle.

 

JUMPSTART: Utilizing the sufficiently charged battery of one vehicle to start the engine of another vehicle with a discharged battery by the use of jumper cables.

 

KEY: A small block usually fitted in a notch between a shaft and a hub to prevent slippage of the two parts.

 

KICKDOWN: Detent downshift system; either linkage, cable, or electrically controlled.

 

KILO: A prefix used in the metric system to indicate one thousand.

 

KNOCK: Noise which results from the spontaneous ignition of a portion of the air-fuel mixture in the engine cylinder caused by overly advanced ignition timing or use of incorrectly low octane fuel for that engine.

 

KNOCK SENSOR: An input device that responds to spark knock, caused by over advanced ignition timing.

 

LABOR TIME: A specific amount of time required to perform a certain repair or diagnostic service as defined by a vehicle or after-market manufacturer .

 

LACQUER: A quick-drying au­tomotive paint.

 

LATE: Shift that occurs when engine is at higher than normal rpm for given amount of throttle.

 

LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED): A semiconductor diode that emits light as electrical current flows through it; used in some electronic display devices to emit a red or other color light.

 

LIGHT THROTTLE: Approximately one-fourth of accelerator pedal travel.

 

LIMITED SLIP: A type of differen­tial which transfers driving force to the wheel with the best traction.

 

LIMP-IN MODE: Electrical shutdown of the transmission/ transaxle output solenoids, allowing only forward and reverse gears that are hydraulically energized by the manual valve. This permits the vehicle to be driven to a service facility for repair.

 

LIP SEAL: Molded synthetic rubber seal designed with an outer sealing edge (lip) that points into the fluid containing area to be sealed. This type of seal is used where rotational and axial forces are present.

 

LITHIUM-BASE GREASE: Chassis and wheel bearing grease using lithium as a base. Not compatible with sodium-base grease.

 

LOAD DEVICE: A circuit's resistance that converts the electrical energy into light, sound, heat, or mechanical movement.

 

LOAD RANGE: Indicates the number of plies at which a tire is rated. Load range B equals four-ply rating; C equals six-ply rating; and, D equals an eight-ply rating.

 

LOAD TORQUE: The amount of output torque needed from the transmission/transaxle to overcome the vehicle load.

 

LOCKING HUBS: Accessories used on part-time four-wheel drive systems that allow the front wheels to be disengaged from the drive train when four-wheel drive is not being used. When four-wheel drive is de­sired, the hubs are engaged, locking the wheels to the drive train.

 

LOCKUP CONVERTER: A torque converter that operates hydraulically and mechanically. When an internal apply plate (lockup plate) clamps to the torque converter cover, hydraulic slippage is eliminated.

 

LOCK RING: See Circlip or Snapring

 

MAGNET: Any body with the property of attracting iron or steel.

 

MAGNETIC FIELD: The area surrounding the poles of a magnet that is affected by its attraction or repulsion forces.

 

MAIN LINE PRESSURE: Often called control pressure or line pressure, it refers to the pressure of the oil leaving the pump and is controlled by the pressure regulator valve.

 

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL): Previously known as a check engine light, the dash-mounted MIL illuminates and signals the driver that an emission or driveability problem with the powertrain has been detected by the ECM/PCM. When this occurs, at least one diagnostic trouble code (DTC) has been stored into the control module memory.

 

MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP) SENSOR: Reads the amount of air pressure (vacuum) in the engine's intake manifold system; its signal is used to analyze engine load conditions.

 

MANIFOLD VACUUM: Low pressure in an engine intake manifold formed just below the throttle plates. Manifold vacuum is highest at idle and drops under acceleration.

 

MANIFOLD: A casting of passages or set of pipes which connect the cylinders to an inlet or outlet source.

 

MANUAL LEVER POSITION SWITCH (MLPS): A mechanical switching unit that is typically mounted externally to the transmission/transaxle to inform the PCM/ECM which gear range the driver has selected.

 

MANUAL VALVE: Located inside the transmission/transaxle, it is directly connected to the driver's shift lever. The position of the manual valve determines which hydraulic circuits will be charged with oil pressure and the operating mode of the transmission.

 

MANUAL VALVE LEVER POSITION SENSOR (MVLPS): The input from this device tells the TCM what gear range was selected.

 

MASS AIR FLOW (MAF) SENSOR: Measures the airflow into the engine.

 

MASTER CYLINDER: The primary fluid pressurizing device in a hydraulic system. In automotive use, it is found in brake and hydraulic clutch systems and is pedal activated, either directly or, in a power brake system, through the power booster.

 

MacPherson STRUT: A suspension component combining a shock absorber and spring in one unit.

 

MEDIUM THROTTLE: Approximately one-half of accelerator pedal travel.

 

MEGA: A metric prefix indicating one million.

 

MEMBER: An independent component of a hydrodynamic unit such as an impeller, a stator, or a turbine. It may have one or more elements.

 

MERCON: A fluid developed by Ford Motor Company in 1988. It contains a friction modifier and closely resembles operating characteristics of Dexron.

 

METAL SEALING RINGS: Made from cast iron or aluminum, their primary application is with dynamic components involving pressure sealing circuits of rotating members. These rings are designed with either butt or hook lock end joints.

 

METER (ANALOG): A linear-style meter representing data as lengths; a needle-style instrument interfacing with logical numerical increments. This style of electrical meter uses relatively low impedance internal resistance and cannot be used for testing electronic circuitry.

 

METER(DIGITAL): Uses numbers as a direct readout to show values. Most meters of this style use high impedance internal resistance and must be used for testing low current electronic circuitry.

 

MICRO: A metric prefix indicating one-millionth (0.000001).

 

MILLI: A metric prefix indicating one-thousandth (0.001).

 

MINIMUM THROTTLE: The least amount of throttle opening required for upshift; normally close to zero throttle.

 

MISFIRE: Condition occurring when the fuel mixture in a cyl­inder fails to ignite, causing the engine to run roughly.

 

MODULE: Electronic control unit, amplifier or igniter of solid state or integrated design which controls the current flow in the ignition primary circuit based on input from the pick-up coil. When the module opens the primary circuit, high secondary voltage is induced in the coil.

 

MODULATED: In an electronic-hydraulic converter clutch system (or shift valve system), the term modulated refers to the pulsing of a solenoid, at a variable rate. This action controls the buildup of oil pressure in the hydraulic circuit to allow a controlled amount of clutch slippage.

 

MODULATED CONVERTER CLUTCH CONTROL (MCCC): A pulse width duty cycle valve that controls the converter lockup apply pressure and maximizes smoother transitions between lock and unlock conditions.

 

MODULATOR  PRESSURE (THROTTLE PRESSURE): A hydraulic signal oil pressure relating to the amount of engine load, based on either the amount of throttle plate opening or engine vacuum.

 

MODULATOR VALVE: A regulator valve that is controlled by engine vacuum, providing a hydraulic pressure that varies in relation to engine torque. The hydraulic torque signal functions to delay the shift pattern and provide a line pressure boost. (See throttle valve.)

 

MOTOR: An electromagnetic device used to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.

 

MULTIPLE-DISC CLUTCH: A grouping of steel and friction lined plates that, when compressed together by hydraulic pressure acting upon a piston, lock or unlock a planetary member.

 

MULTI-WEIGHT: Type of oil that provides adequate lubrication at both high and low tempera­tures.

needed to move one amp through a resistance of one ohm.

 

MUSHY: Same as soft; slow and drawn out clutch apply with very little shift feel.

 

MUTUAL INDUCTION: The generation of Current from one wire circuit to another by movement of the magnetic field surrounding a current-carrying circuit as its ampere flow increases or decreases.

 

NEEDLE BEARING: A bearing which consists of a number (usually a large number) of long, thin rollers.

 

NITROGEN OXIDE (NOx): One of the three basic pollutants found in the exhaust emission of an in­ternal combustion engine. The amount of NOx usually varies in an inverse proportion to the amount of HC and CO.

 

NONPOSITIVE SEALING: A sealing method that allows some minor leakage, which normally assists in lubrication.

 

O2 SENSOR: Located in the engine's exhaust system, it is an input device to the ECM/PCM for managing the fuel delivery and ignition system. A scanner can be used to observe the fluctuating voltage readings produced by an 02 sensor as the oxygen content of the exhaust is analyzed.

 

O-RING SEAL: Molded synthetic rubber seal designed with a circular cross-section. This type of seal is used primarily in static applications.

 

OBD II (ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS, SECOND GENERATION): Refers to the federal law mandating tighter control of 1996 and newer vehicle emissions, active monitoring of related devices, and standardization of terminology, data link connectors, and other technician concerns.

 

OCTANE RATING: A number, in­dicating the quality of gaso­line based on its ability to re­sist knock. The higher the number, the better the qual­ity. Higher compression engines require higher octane gas.

 

OEM: Original Equipment Manufactured. OEM equip­ment is that furnished stan­dard by the manufacturer.

 

OFFSET: The distance between the vertical center of the wheel and the mounting sur­face at the lugs. Offset is posi­tive if the center is outside the lug circle; negative offset puts the center line inside the lug circle.

 

OHM'S LAW: A law of electricity that states the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance. Volts = amperes x ohms

 

OHM: The unit used to measure the resistance of conduc­tor-to-electrical flow. One ohm is the amount of resistance that limits current flow to one ampere in a circuit with one volt of pressure.

 

OHMMETER: An instrument used for measuring the resis­tance, in ohms, in an electrical circuit.

 

ONE-WAY CLUTCH: A mechanical clutch of roller or sprag design that resists torque or transmits power in one direction only. It is used to either hold or drive a planetary member.

 

ONE-WAY ROLLER CLUTCH: A mechanical device that transmits or holds torque in one direction only.

 

OPENCIRCUIT: A break or lack of contact in an electrical circuit, either intentional (switch) or unintentional (bad connection or broken wire).

 

ORIFICE: Located in hydraulic oil circuits, it acts as a restriction. It slows down fluid flow to either create back pressure or delay pressure buildup downstream.

 

OSCILLOSCOPE: A piece of test equipment that shows electric impulses as a pattern on a screen. Engine performance can be analyzed by interpret­ing these patterns.

 

OUTPUT SHAFT: The shaft which transmits torque from a device, such as a transmission.

 

OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR (OSS): Identifies transmission/transaxle output shaft speed for shift timing and may be used to calculate TCC slip; often functions as the VSS (vehicle speed sensor).

 

OVERDRIVE: (1.) A device attached to or incorporated in a transmission/transaxle that allows the engine to turn less than one full revolu­tion for every complete revolu­tion of the wheels. The net ef­fect is to reduce engine rpm, thereby using less fuel. A typi­cal overdrive gear ratio would be .87:1, instead of the normal 1:1 in high gear. (2.) A gear assembly which produces more shaft revolutions than that transmitted to it.

 

OVERDRIVE PLANETARY GEARSET: A single planetary gearset designed to provide a direct drive and overdrive ratio. When coupled to a three-speed transmission/transaxle configuration, a four-speed/overdrive unit is present.

 

OVERHEAD CAMSHAFT (OHC): An engine configuration in which the camshaft is mounted on top of the cylinder head and operates the valve either directly or by means of rocker arms.

 

OVERHEAD VALVE (OHV): An engine configuration in which all of the valves are located in the cylinder head and the camshaft is located in the cylinder block. The camshaft oper­ates the valves via lifters and pushrods.

 

OVERRUNCLUTCH: Another name for a one-way mechanical clutch. Applies to both roller and sprag designs.

 

OVERSTEER: The tendency of some vehicles, when steering into a turn, to over-respond or steer more than required, which could result in excessive slip of the rear wheels. Opposite of under-steer.

 

OXIDATION STABILIZERS: Absorb and dissipate heat. Automatic transmission fluid has high resistance to varnish and sludge buildup that occurs from excessive heat that is generated primarily in the torque converter. Local temperatures as high as 6000F (3150C) can occur at the clutch plates during engagement, and this heat must be absorbed and dissipated. If the fluid cannot withstand the heat, it burns or oxidizes, resulting in an almost immediate destruction of friction materials, clogged filter screen and hydraulic passages, and sticky valves.

 

OXIDES OF NITROGEN: See nitrogen oxide (NOx).

 

OXYGEN SENSOR: Used with a feedback system to sense the presence of oxygen in the exhaust gas and signal the computer which can use the voltage signal to determine engine operating efficiency and adjust the air/fuel ratio.

 

PARALLEL CIRCUIT: (See circuit, parallel.)

 

PARTS WASHER: A basin or tub, usually with a built-in pump mechanism and hose used for circulating chemical solvent for the purpose of cleaning greasy, oily and dirty components.

 

PART-TIME FOUR WHEEL DRIVE: A system that is normally in the two wheel drive mode and only runs in four-wheel drive when the system is manually engaged because more trac­tion is desired. Two or four wheel drive is normally se­lected by a lever to engage the front axle, but if locking hubs are used, these must also be manually engaged in the Lock position. Otherwise, the front axle will not drive the front wheels.

 

PASSIVE RESTRAINT: Safety systems such as air bags or automatic seat belts which operate with no action required on the part of the driver or passenger. Mandated by Federal regulations on all vehicles sold in the U.S. after 1990.

 

PAYLOAD: The weight the vehicle is capable of carrying in addi­tion to its own weight. Pay­load includes weight of the driver, passengers and cargo, but not coolant, fuel, lubri­cant, spare tire, etc.

 

PCM: Powertrain control module.

 

PCV VALVE: A valve usually lo­cated in the rocker cover that vents crankcase vapors back into the engine to be reburned.

 

PERCOLATION: A condition in which the fuel actually "boils," due to excessive heat. Percolation prevents proper atomization of the fuel caus­ing rough running.

 

PICK-UP COIL: The coil in which voltage is induced in an elec­tronic ignition.

 

PINION GEAR: The smallest gear in a drive gear assembly. piston: A disc or cup that fits in a cylinder bore and is free to move. In hydraulics, it provides the means of converting hydraulic pressure into a usable force. Examples of piston applications are found in servo, clutch, and accumulator units.

 

PING: A metallic rattling sound produced by the engine during acceleration. It is usually due to incorrect ignition timing or a poor grade of gasoline.

 

PINION: The smaller of two gears. The rear axle pinion drives the ring gear which transmits motion to the axle shafts.

 

PISTON RING: An open-ended ring which fits into a groove on the outer diameter of the piston. Its chief function is to form a seal between the piston and cylinder wall. Most automotive pistons have three rings: two for compression sealing; one for oil sealing.

 

PITMAN ARM: A lever which transmits steering force from the steering gear to the steer­ing linkage.

 

PLANET CARRIER: A basic member of a planetary gear assembly that carries the pinion gears.

 

PLANET PINIONS: Gears housed in a planet carrier that are in constant mesh with the sun gear and internal gear. Because they have their own independent rotating centers, the pinions are capable of rotating around the sun gear or the inside of the internal gear.

 

PLANETARY GEAR RATIO: The reduction or overdrive ratio developed by a planetary gearset.

 

PLANETARY GEARSET: In its simplest form, it is made up of a basic assembly group containing a sun gear, internal gear, and planet carrier. The gears are always in constant mesh and offer a wide range of gear ratio possibilities.

 

PLANETARY GEARSET(COMPOUND): Two planetary gearsets combined together.

 

PLANETARY GEARSET(SIMPLE): An assembly of gears in constant mesh consisting of a sun gear, several pinion gears mounted in a carrier, and a ring gear. It provides gear ratio and direction changes, in addition to a direct drive and a neutral.

 

PLY RATING: A. rating given a tire which indicates strength (but not necessarily actual plies). A two-ply/four-ply rating has only two plies, but the strength of a four-ply tire.

 

POLARITY: Indication (positive or negative) of the two poles of a battery.

 

PORT: An opening for fluid intake or exhaust.

 

POSITIVE SEALING: A sealing method that completely prevents leakage.

 

POTENTIAL: Electrical force measured in volts; sometimes used interchangeably with voltage.

 

POWER: The ability to do work per unit of time, as expressed in horsepower; one horsepower equals 33,000 ft. lbs. of work per minute, or 550 ft. lbs. of work per second.

 

POWER FLOW: The systematic flow or transmission of power through the gears, from the input shaft to the output shaft.

 

POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO: Ratio of horsepower to weight of car.

 

POWERTRAIN: See Drivetrain.

 

POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE(PCM): Current designation for the engine control module (ECM). In many cases, late model vehicle control units manage the engine as well as the transmission. In other settings, the PCM controls the engine and is interfaced with a TCM to control transmission functions.

 

Ppm: Parts per million; unit used to measure exhaust emis­sions.

 

PREIGNITION: Early ignition of fuel in the cylinder, sometimes due to glowing carbon de­posits in the combustion chamber. Preignition can be damaging since combustion takes place prematurely.

 

PRELOAD: A predetermined load placed on a bearing during assembly or by adjustment.

 

PRESS FIT: The mating of two parts under pressure, due to the inner diameter of one being smaller than the outer diame­ter of the other, or vice versa; an interference fit.

 

PRESSURE: The amount of force exerted upon a surface area.

 

PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID (PCS): An output device that provides a boost oil pressure to the mainline regulator valve to control line pressure. Its operation is determined by the amount of current sent from the PCM.

 

PRESSURE GAUGE: An instrument used for measuring the fluid pressure in a hydraulic circuit.

 

PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE: In automatic transmissions, its purpose is to regulate the pressure of the pump output and supply the basic fluid pressure necessary to operate the transmission. The regulated fluid pressure may be referred to as mainline pressure, line pressure, or control pressure.

 

PRESSURE SWITCH ASSEMBLY (PSA): Mounted inside the transmission, it is a grouping of oil pressure switches that inputs to the PCM when certain hydraulic passages are charged with oil pressure.

 

PRESSURE PLATE: A spring-loaded plate (part of the clutch) that transmits power to the driven (friction) plate when the clutch is engaged.

 

PRIMARY CIRCUIT: The low voltage side of the ignition sys­tem which consists of the ignition switch, ballast resistor or resistance wire, bypass, coil, electronic control unit and pick-up coil as well as the connecting wires and harnesses.

 

PROFILE: Term used for tire measurement (tire series), which is the ratio of tire height to tread width.

 

PROM (PROGRAMMABLE READ-ONLY MEMORY): The heart of the computer that compares input data and makes the engineered program or strategy decisions about when to trigger the appropriate output based on stored computer instructions. Pulse generator: A two-wire pickup sensor used to produce a fluctuating electrical signal. This changing signal is read by the controller to determine the speed of the object and can be used to measure transmission/transaxle input speed, output speed, and vehicle speed.

 

PSI: Pounds per square inch; a measurement of pressure.

 

PULSE WIDTH DUTY CYCLE SOLENOID (PULSE WIDTH MODULATED SOLENOID): A computer-controlled solenoid that turns on and off at a variable rate producing a modulated oil pressure; often referred to as a pulse width modulated (PWM) solenoid. Employed in many electronic automatic transmissions and transaxles, these solenoids are used to manage shift control and converter clutch hydraulic circuits.

 

PUSHROD: A steel rod between the hydraulic valve lifter and the valve rocker arm in over­head valve (OHV) engines.

 

PUMP: A mechanical device designed to create fluid flow and pressure buildup in a hydraulic system.

 

QUARTER PANEL: General term used to refer to a rear fender. Quarter panel is the area from the rear door opening to the tail light area and from rear wheel well to the base of the trunk and roof-line.

 

RACE: The surface on the inner or outer ring of a bearing on which the balls, needles or rollers move.

 

RACK AND PINION: A type of au­tomotive steering system using a pinion gear attached to the end of the steering shaft. The pinion meshes with a long rack attached to the steering linkage.

 

RADIAL TIRE: Tire design which uses body cords running at right angles to the center line of the tire. Two or more belts are used to give tread strength. Radials can be iden­tified by their characteristic sidewall bulge.

 

RADIATOR: Part of the cooling system for a water-cooled engine, mounted in the front of the vehicle and connected to the engine with rubber hoses. Through the radiator, excess combustion heat is dissipated into the atmosphere through forced convection using a water and glycol based mixture that circulates through, and cools, the engine.

 

RANGE REFERENCE AND CLUTCH/BAND APPLY CHART: A guide that shows the application of clutches and bands for each gear, within the selector range positions. These charts are extremely useful for understanding how the unit operates and for diagnosing malfunctions.

 

RAVIGNEAUX GEARSET: A compound planetary gearset that features matched dual planetary pinions (sets of two) mounted in a single planet carrier. Two sun gears and one ring mesh with the carrier pinions.

 

REACTION MEMBER: The stationary planetary member, in a planetary gearset, that is grounded to the transmission/transaxle case through the use of friction and wedging devices known as bands, disc clutches, and one-way clutches.

 

REACTION PRESSURE: The fluid pressure that moves a spool valve against an opposing force or forces; the area on which the opposing force acts. The opposing force can be a spring or a combination of spring force and auxiliary hydraulic force.

 

REACTOR, TORQUE CONVERTER: The reaction member of a fluid torque converter, more commonly called a stator. (See stator.)

 

REAR MAIN OIL SEAL: A synthetic or rope-type seal that prevents oil from leaking out of the engine past the rear main crankshaft bearing.

 

RECIRCULATING BALL: Type of steering system in which recirculating steel balls occupy the area between the nut and worm wheel, causing a reduction in friction.

 

RECTIFIER: A device (used pri­marily in alternators) that permits electrical current to flow in one direction only.

 

REDUCTION: (See gear reduction.) regulator valve: A valve that changes the pressure of the oil in a hydraulic circuit as the oil passes through the valve by bleeding off (or exhausting) some of the volume of oil supplied to the valve.

 

REFRIGERANT 12 (R-12) or 134 (R-134): The ge­neric name of the refrigerant used in automotive air conditioning systems.

 

REGULATOR: A device which maintains the amperage and/or voltage levels of a circuit at predetermined values.

 

RELAY: A switch which automatically opens and/or closes a circuit.

 

RELAY VALVE: A valve that directs flow and pressure. Relay valves simply connect or disconnect interrelated passages without restricting the fluid flow or changing the pressure.

 

RELIEF VALVE: A spring-loaded, pressure-operated valve that limits oil pressure buildup in a hydraulic circuit to a predetermined maximum value.

 

RELUCTOR: A wheel that ro­tates inside the distributor and triggers the release of voltage in an electronic igni­tion.

 

RESERVOIR: The storage area for fluid in a hydraulic system; often called a sump.

 

RESIN: A liquid plastic used in body work.

 

RESIDUAL MAGNETISM: The magnetic strength stored in a material after a magnetizing field has been removed.

 

RESISTANCE: The opposition to the flow of current through a circuit or electrical device, and is measured in ohms. Resis­tance is equal to the voltage divided by the amperage.

 

RESISTOR SPARK PLUG: A spark plug using a resistor to short­en the spark duration. This suppresses radio interference and lengthens plug life.

 

RESISTOR: A device, usually made of wire, which offers a preset amount of resistance in an electrical circuit.

 

RESULTANT FORCE: The single effective directional thrust of the fluid force on the turbine produced by the vortex and rotary forces acting in different planes.

 

RETARD: Set the ignition timing so that spark occurs later (fewer degrees before TDC).

 

RHEOSTAT: A device for regulating a current by means of a variable resistance.

 

RING GEAR: The name given to a ring-shaped gear attached to a differential case, or affixed to a flywheel or as part of a planetary gear set.

 

ROADLOAD: grade.

 

ROCKER ARM: A lever which ro­tates around a shaft pushing down (opening) the valve with an end when the other end is pushed up by the pushrod. Spring pressure will later close the valve.

 

ROCKER PANEL: The body panel below the doors between the wheel opening.

 

ROLLER BEARING: A bearing made up of hardened inner and outer races between which hardened steel rollers move.

 

ROLLER CLUTCH: A type of one-way clutch design using rollers and springs mounted within an inner and outer cam race assembly.

 

ROTARY FLOW: The path of the fluid trapped between the blades of the members as they revolve with the rotation of the torque converter cover (rotational inertia).

 

ROTOR: (1.) The disc-shaped part of a disc brake assembly, upon which the brake pads bear; also called, brake disc. (2.) The device mounted atop the distributor shaft, which passes current to the distributor cap tower contacts.

 

ROTARY ENGINE: See Wankel engine.

 

RPM: Revolutions per minute (usually indicates engine speed).

 

RTV: A gasket making compound that cures as it is exposed to the atmosphere. It is used between surfaces that are not perfectly machined to one another, leaving a slight gap that the RTV fills and in which it hardens. The letters RTV represent room temperature vulcanizing.

 

RUN-ON: Condition when the engine continues to run, even when the key is turned off. See dieseling.

 

SEALED BEAM: A au­tomotive headlight. The lens, reflector and filament from a single unit.

 

SEATBELT INTERLOCK: A system whereby the car cannot be started unless the seatbelt is buckled.

 

SECONDARY CIRCUIT: The high voltage side of the ignition system, usually above 20,000 volts. The secondary includes the ignition coil, coil wire, distributor cap and rotor, spark plug wires and spark plugs.

 

SELF-INDUCTION: The generation of voltage in a current-carrying wire by changing the amount of current flowing within that wire.

 

SEMI-CONDUCTOR: A material (silicon or germanium) that is neither a good conductor nor an insulator; used in diodes and transistors.

 

SEMI-FLOATING AXLE: In this de­sign, a wheel is attached to the axle shaft, which takes both drive and cornering loads. Al­most all solid axle passenger cars and light trucks use this design.

 

SENDING UNIT: A mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or electro­magnetic device which transmits information to a gauge.

 

SENSOR: Any device designed to measure engine operating conditions or ambient pressures and temperatures. Usually electronic in nature and designed to send a voltage signal to an on-board computer, some sensors may operate as a simple on/off switch or they may provide a variable voltage signal (like a potentiometer) as conditions or measured parameters change.

 

SERIES CIRCUIT: (See circuit, series.)

 

SERPENTINE BELT: An accessory drive belt, with small multiple v-ribs, routed around most or all of the engine-powered accessories such as the alternator and power steering pump. Usually both the front and the back side of the belt comes into contact with various pulleys.

 

SERVO: In an automatic transmission, it is a piston in a cylinder assembly that converts hydraulic pressure into mechanical force and movement; used for the application of the bands and clutches.

 

SHIFT BUSYNESS: When referring to a torque converter clutch, it is the frequent apply and release of the clutch plate due to uncommon driving conditions.

 

SHIFT VALVE: Classified as a relay valve, it triggers the automatic shift in response to a governor and a throttle signal by directing fluid to the appropriate band and clutch apply combination to cause the shift to occur.

 

SHIM: Spacers of precise, predetermined thickness used be­tween parts to establish a proper working relationship.

 

SHIMMY: Vibration (sometimes violent) in the front end caused by misaligned front end, out of balance tires or worn suspension components.

 

SHORT CIRCUIT: An electrical mal­function where current takes the path of least resistance to ground (usually through dam­aged insulation). Current flow is excessive from low resis­tance resulting in a blown fuse.

 

SHUDDER: Repeated jerking or stick-slip sensation, similar to chuggle but more severe and rapid in nature, that may be most noticeable during certain ranges of vehicle speed; also used to define condition after converter clutch engagement.

 

SIMPSON GEARSET: A compound planetary gear train that integrates two simple planetary gearsets referred to as the front planetary and the rear planetary.

 

SINGLE OVERHEAD CAMSHAFT: See overhead camshaft.

 

SKIDPLATE: A metal plate at­tached to the underside of the body to protect the fuel tank, transfer case or other vulnera­ble parts from damage.

 

SLAVE CYLINDER: In automotive use, a device in the hy­draulic clutch system which is activated by hydraulic force, disengaging the clutch.

 

SLIPPING: Noticeable increase in engine rpm without vehicle speed increase; usually occurs during or after initial clutch or band engagement.

 

SLUDGE: Thick, black deposits in engine formed from dirt, oil, water, etc. It is usually formed in engines when oil changes are neglected.

 

SNAP RING: A circular retaining clip used inside or outside a shaft or part to secure a shaft, such as a floating wrist pin.

 

SOFT: Slow, almost unnoticeable clutch apply with very little shift feel.

 

SOFTCODES: DTCs that have been set into the PCM memory but are not present at the time of testing; often referred to as history or intermittent codes.

 

SOHC: Single overhead cam­shaft.

 

SOLENOID: An electrically oper­ated, magnetic switching de­vice.

 

SPALLING: A wear pattern identified by metal chips flaking off the hardened surface. This condition is caused by foreign particles, overloading situations, and/or normal wear.

 

SPARK PLUG: A device screwed into the combustion cham­ber of a spark ignition engine. The basic construction is a conductive core inside of a ceramic insulator, mounted in an outer conductive base. An electrical charge from the spark plug wire travels along the conductive core and jumps a preset air gap to a grounding point or points at the end of the con­ductive base. The resultant spark ignites the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber.

 

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (BATTERY): The relative weight of liquid (bat­tery electrolyte) as compared to the weight of an equal vol­ume of water.

 

SPLINES: Ridges machined or cast onto the outer diameter of a shaft or inner diameter of a bore to enable parts to mate without rotation.

 

SPLIT TORQUE DRIVE: In a torque converter, it refers to parallel paths of torque transmission, one of which is mechanical and the other hydraulic.

 

SPONGY PEDAL: A soft or spongy feeling when the brake pedal is depressed. It is usually due to air in the brake lines.

 

SPOOLVALVE: A precision-machined, cylindrically shaped valve made up of lands and grooves. Depending on its position in the valve bore, various interconnecting hydraulic circuit passages are either opened or closed.

 

SPRAG CLUTCH: A type of one-way clutch design using cams or contoured-shaped sprags between inner and outer races. (See one-way clutch.)

 

SPRUNG WEIGHT: The weight of a car supported by the springs.

 

SQUARE-CUT SEAL: Molded synthetic rubber seal designed with a square- or rectangular-shaped cross-section. This type of seal is used for both dynamic and static applications.

 

SRS: Supplemental restraint system

 

STABILIZER (SWAY) BAR: A bar linking both sides of the sus­pension. It resists sway on turns by taking some of added load from one wheel and put­ting it on the other.

 

STAGE: The number of turbine sets separated by a stator. A turbine set may be made up of one or more turbine members. A three-element converter is classified as a single stage.

 

STALL: In fluid drive transmission/transaxle applications, stall refers to engine rpm with the transmission/transaxle engaged and the vehicle stationary; throttle valve can be in any position between closed and wide open.

 

STALL SPEED: In fluid drive transmission/transaxle applications, stall speed refers to the maximum engine rpm with the transmission/transaxle engaged and vehicle stationary, when the throttle valve is wide open. (See stall; stall test.)

 

STALL TEST: A procedure recommended by many manufacturers to help determine the integrity of an engine, the torque converter stator, and certain clutch and band combinations. With the shift lever in each of the forward and reverse positions and with the brakes firmly applied, the accelerator pedal is momentarily pressed to the wide open throttle (WOT) position. The engine rpm reading at full throttle can provide clues for diagnosing the condition of the items listed above.

 

STALL TORQUE: The maximum design or engineered torque ratio of a fluid torque converter, produced under stall speed conditions. (See stall speed.)

 

STARTER: A high-torque electric motor used for the purpose of starting the engine, typically through a high ratio geared drive connected to the flywheel ring gear.

 

STATIC: A sealing application in which the parts being sealed do not move in relation to each other.

 

STATOR (REACTOR): The reaction member of a fluid torque converter that changes the direction of the fluid as it leaves the turbine to enter the impeller vanes. During the torque multiplication phase, this action assists the impeller's rotary force and results in an increase in torque.

 

STEERING GEOMETRY: Combina­tion of various angles of sus­pension components (caster, camber, toe-in); roughly equivalent to front end align­ment.

 

STRAIGHT WEIGHT: Term desig­nating motor oil as suitable for use within a narrow range of temperatures. Outside the narrow temperature range its flow characteristics will not adequately lubricate.

 

STROKE: The distance the piston travels from bottom dead center to top dead center.

 

SUBSTITUTION: Replacing one part suspected of a defect with a like part of known quality.

 

SUMP: The storage vessel or reservoir that provides a ready source of fluid to the pump. In an automatic transmission, the sump is the oil pan. All fluid eventually returns to the sump for recycling into the hydraulic system.

 

SUN GEAR: In a planetary gearset, it is the center gear that meshes with a cluster of planet pinions.

 

SUPERCHARGER: An air pump driven mechanically by the engine through belts, chains, shafts or gears from the crankshaft. Two general types of supercharger are the positive displacement and centrifugal type, which pump air in direct relationship to the speed of the engine.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM: See air bag.

 

SURGE: Repeating engine-related feeling of acceleration and deceleration that is less intense than chuggle.

 

SWITCH: A device used to open, close, or redirect the current in an electrical circuit.

 

SYNCHROMESH: A manual transmission/transaxle that is equipped with devices (synchronizers) that match the gear speeds so that the transmission/transaxle can be down­shifted without clashing gears.

 

SYNTHETIC OIL: Non-petroleum based oil.

 

TACHOMETER: A device used to measure the rotary speed of an engine, shaft, gear, etc., usually in rotations per minute.

 

TDC: Top dead center. The exact top of the piston's stroke.

 

TEFLON SEALING RINGS: Teflon is a soft, durable, plastic-like material that is resistant to heat and provides excellent sealing. These rings are designed with either scarf-cut joints or as one-piece rings. Teflon sealing rings have replaced many metal ring applications.

 

TERMINAL: A device attached to the end of a wire or cable to make an electrical connection.

 

TEST LIGHT, CIRCUIT-POWERED: Uses available circuit voltage to test circuit continuity.

 

TEST LIGHT, SELF-POWERED: Uses its own battery source to test circuit continuity.

 

THERMISTOR: A special resistor used to measure fluid temperature; it decreases its resistance with increases in temperature.

 

THERMOSTAT: A valve, located in the cooling system of an engine, which is closed when cold and opens gradually in response to engine heating, controlling the temperature of the coolant and rate of coolant flow.

 

THERMOSTATIC ELEMENT: A heat-sensitive, spring-type device that controls a drain port from the upper sump area to the lower sump. When the transaxle fluid reaches operating temperature, the port is closed and the upper sump fills, thus reducing the fluid level in the lower sump.

 

THROTTLE POSITION (TP) SENSOR: Reads the degree of throttle opening; its signal is used to analyze engine load conditions. The ECM/PCM decides to apply the TCC, or to disengage it for coast or load conditions that need a converter torque boost.

 

THROTTLE PRESSURE/MODULATOR PRESSURE: A hydraulic signal oil pressure relating to the amount of engine load, based on either the amount of throttle plate opening or engine vacuum.

 

THROTTLE VALVE: A regulating or balanced valve that is controlled mechanically by throttle linkage or engine vacuum. It sends a hydraulic signal to the shift valve body to control shift timing and shift quality. (See balanced valve; modulator valve.)

 

THROW-OUT BEARING: As the clutch pedal is depressed, the throwout bearing moves against the spring fingers of the pressure plate, forcing the pressure plate to disengage from the driven disc.

 

TIE ROD: A rod connecting the steering arms. Tie rods have threaded ends that are used to adjust toe-in.

 

TIE-UP: Condition where two opposing clutches are attempting to apply at same time, causing engine to labor with noticeable loss of engine rpm.

 

TIMING BELT: A square-toothed, reinforced rubber belt that is driven by the crankshaft and operates the camshaft.

 

TIMING CHAIN: A roller chain that is driven by the crankshaft and operates the camshaft.

 

TIRE ROTATION: Moving the tires from one position to another to make the tires wear evenly.

 

TOE-IN (OUT): A term comparing the extreme front and rear of the front tires. Closer together at the front is toe-in; farther apart at the front is toe-out.

 

TOP DEAD CENTER (TDC): The point at which the piston reaches the top of its travel on the compression stroke.

 

TORQUE: Measurement of turn­ing or twisting force, ex­pressed as foot-pounds or inch-pounds.

 

TORQUE CONVERTER: A turbine used to transmit power from a driving member to a driven member via hydraulic ac­tion, providing changes in drive ratio and torque. In automotive use, it links the driveplate at the rear of the engine to the automatic transmission.

 

TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH: The apply plate (lockup plate) assembly used for mechanical power flow through the converter.

 

TORQUE PHASE: Sometimes referred to as slip phase or stall phase, torque multiplication occurs when the turbine is turning at a slower speed than the impeller, and the stator is reactionary (stationary). This sequence generates a boost in output torque.

 

TORQUE RATING (STALL TORQUE): The maximum torque multiplication that occurs during stall conditions, with the engine at wide open throttle (WOT) and zero turbine speed.

 

TORQUE RATIO: An expression of the gear ratio factor on torque effect. A 3:1 gear ratio or 3:1 torque ratio increases the torque input by the ratio factor of 3. Input torque (100 ft. lbs.)x 3 = output torque (300 ft. lbs.)

 

TRACTION: The amount of usable tractive effort before the drive wheels slip on the road contact surface.

 

TORSION BAR SUSPENSION: Long rods of spring steel which take the place of springs. One end of the bar is anchored and the other arm (attached to the sus­pension) is free to twist. The bars' resistance to twisting causes springing action.

 

TRACK: Distance between the centers of the tires where they contact the ground.

 

TRACTION CONTROL: A control system that prevents the spinning of a vehicle's drive wheels when excess power is applied.

 

TRACTIVE EFFORT: The amount of force available to the drive wheels, to move the vehicle.

 

TRANSAXLE: A single housing containing the transmission and differential. Transaxles are usually found on front engine/front wheel drive or rear engine/rear wheel drive cars.

 

TRANSDUCER: A device that changes energy from one form to another. For example, a transducer in a microphone changes sound energy to electrical energy. In automotive air-conditioning controls used in automatic temperature systems, a transducer changes an electrical signal to a vacuum signal, which operates mechanical doors.

 

TRANSMISSION: A powertrain component designed to modify torque and speed developed by the engine; also provides direct drive, reverse, and neutral.

 

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM): Manages transmission functions. These vary according to the manufacturer's product design but may include converter clutch operation, electronic shift scheduling, and mainline pressure.

 

TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE (TFT)SENSOR: Originally called a transmission oil temperature (TOT) sensor, this input device to the ECM/PCM senses the fluid temperature and provides a resistance value. It operates on the thermistor principle.

 

TRANSMISSION INPUT SPEED (TIS) SENSOR: Measures turbine shaft (input shaft) rpm's and compares to engine rpm's to determine torque converter slip. When compared to the transmission output speed sensor or VSS, gear ratio and clutch engagement timing can be determined.

 

TRANSMISSION OIL TEMPERATURE (TOT) SENSOR: (See transmission fluid temperature (TFT) sensor.)

 

TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR (TRS) SWITCH: Tells the module which gear shift position the driver has chosen. turbine: The output (driven) member of a fluid coupling or fluid torque converter. It is splined to the input (turbine) shaft of the transmission.

 

TRANSFER CASE: A gearbox driven from the transmission that delivers power to both front and rear driveshafts in a four-wheel drive system. Transfer cases usually have a high and low range set of gears, used depending on how much pulling power is needed.

 

TRANSISTOR: A semi-conductor component which can be ac­tuated by a small voltage to perform an electrical switching function.

 

TREAD WEAR INDICATOR: Bars molded into the tire at right angles to the tread that appear as horizontal bars when <frac>1<over>16</frac>in. of tread remains.

 

TREAD WEAR PATTERN: The pat­tern of wear on tires which can be "read" to diagnose problems in the front suspen­sion.

 

TUNE-UP: A regular maintenance function, usually associated with the replacement and adjustment of parts and components in the electrical and fuel systems of a vehicle for the purpose of attaining optimum performance.

 

TURBOCHARGER: An exhaust driven pump which com­presses intake air and forces it into the combustion chambers at higher than atmospheric pressures. The increased air pres­sure allows more fuel to be burned and results in increased horsepower being produced.

 

TURBULENCE: The interference of molecules of a fluid (or vapor) with each other in a fluid flow.

 

TYPE F: Transmission fluid developed and used by Ford Motor Company up to 1982. This fluid type provides a high coefficient of friction.

 

TYPE 7176: The preferred choice of transmission fluid for Chrysler automatic transmissions and transaxles. Developed in 1986, it closely resembles Dexron and Mercon. Type 7176 is the recommended service fill fluid for all Chrysler products utilizing a lockup torque converter dating back to 1978.

 

U-JOINT (UNIVERSAL JOINT): A flex­ible coupling in the drive train that allows the driveshafts or axle shafts to operate at dif­ferent angles and still trans­mit rotary power.

 

UNDERSTEER: The tendency of a car to continue straight ahead while negotiating a turn.

 

UNIT BODY: Design in which the car body acts as the frame.

 

UNLEADED FUEL: Fuel which con­tains no lead (a common gaso­line additive). The presence of lead in fuel will destroy the functioning elements of a cata­lytic converter, making it use­less.

 

UNSPRUNG WEIGHT: The weight of car components not sup­ported by the springs (wheels, tires, brakes, rear axle, control arms, etc.).

 

UPSHIFT: A shift that results in a decrease in torque ratio and an increase in speed.

 

VACUUM: A negative pressure; any pressure less than atmospheric pressure.

 

VACUUM ADVANCE: A device which advances the ignition timing in response to increased engine vacuum.

 

VACUUM GAUGE: An instrument used for measuring the existing vacuum in a vacuum circuit or chamber. The unit of measure is inches (of mercury in a barometer).

 

VACUUM MODULATOR: Generates a hydraulic oil pressure in response to the amount of engine vacuum.

 

VALVES: Devices that can open or close fluid passages in a hydraulic system and are used for directing fluid flow and controlling pressure.

 

VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY: The main hydraulic control assembly of the transmission/transaxle that contains numerous valves, check balls, and other components to control the distribution of pressurized oil throughout the transmission.

 

VALVE CLEARANCE: The measured gap between the end of the valve stem and the rocker arm, cam lobe or follower that activates the valve.

 

VALVE GUIDES: The guide through which the stem of the valve passes. The guide is de­signed to keep the valve in proper alignment.

 

VALVE LASH (clearance): The operating clearance in the valve train.

 

VALVE TRAIN: The system that operates intake and exhaust valves, consisting of camshaft, valves and springs, lifters, pushrods and rocker arms.

 

VAPOR LOCK: Boiling of the fuel in the fuel lines due to excess heat. This will interfere with the flow of fuel in the lines and can completely stop the flow. Vapor lock normally only oc­curs in hot weather.

 

VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT (VARIABLE CAPACITY) VANE PUMP: Slipper-type vanes, mounted in a revolving rotor and contained within the bore of a movable slide, capture and then force fluid to flow. Movement of the slide to various positions changes the size of the vane chambers and the amount of fluid flow. Note: GM refers to this pump design as variable displacement, and Ford terms it variable capacity.

 

VARIABLE FORCE SOLENOID (VFS): Commonly referred to as the electronic pressure control (EPC) solenoid, it replaces the cable/linkage style of TV system control and is integrated with a spool valve and spring assembly to control pressure. A variable computer-controlled current flow varies the internal force of the solenoid on the spool valve and resulting control pressure.

 

VARIABLE ORIFICE THERMAL VALVE: Temperature-sensitive hydraulic oil control device that adjusts the size of a circuit path opening. By altering the size of the opening, the oil flow rate is adapted for cold to hot oil viscosity changes.

 

VARNISH: Term applied to the residue formed when gasoline gets old and stale.

 

VCM: See Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

 

VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS): Provides an electrical signal to the computer module, measuring vehicle speed, and affects the torque converter clutch engagement and release.

 

VESPEL SEALING RINGS: Hard plastic material that produces excellent sealing in dynamic settings. These rings are found in late versions of the 4T60 and in all 4T60-E and 4T80-E transaxles.

 

VISCOSITY: The ability of a fluid to flow. The lower the viscos­ity rating, the easier the fluid will flow. 10 weight motor oil will flow much easier than 40 weight motor oil.

 

VISCOSITY INDEX IMPROVERS: Keeps the viscosity nearly constant with changes in temperature. This is especially important at low temperatures, when the oil needs to be thin to aid in shifting and for cold-weather starting. Yet it must not be so thin that at high temperatures it will cause excessive hydraulic leakage so that pumps are unable to maintain the proper pressures.

 

VISCOUS CLUTCH: A specially designed torque converter clutch apply plate that, through the use of a silicon fluid, clamps smoothly and absorbs torsional vibrations.

 

VOLT: Unit used to measure the force or pressure of electricity. It is defined as the pressure

 

VOLTAGE: The electrical pressure that causes current to flow. Voltage is measured in volts (V).

 

VOLTAGE, APPLIED: The actual voltage read at a given point in a circuit. It equals the available voltage of the power supply minus the losses in the circuit up to that point.

 

VOLTAGE DROP: The voltage lost or used in a circuit by normal loads such as a motor or lamp or by abnormal loads such as a poor (high-resistance) lead or terminal connection.

 

VOLTAGE REGULATOR: A device that controls the current output of the alternator or generator.

 

VOLTMETER: An instrument used for measuring electrical force in units called volts. Voltmeters are always connected parallel with the circuit being tested.

 

VORTEX FLOW: The crosswise or circulatory flow of oil between the blades of the members caused by the centrifugal pumping action of the impeller.

 

WANKEL ENGINE: An engine which uses no pistons. In place of pistons, triangular-shaped rotors revolve in spe­cially shaped housings.

 

WATER PUMP: A belt driven component of the cooling system that mounts on the engine, circulating the coolant under pressure.

 

WATT: The unit for measuring electrical power. One watt is the product of one ampere and one volt (watts equals amps times volts). Wattage is the horsepower of electricity (746 watts equal one horsepower).

 

WHEEL ALIGNMENT: Inclusive term to describe the front end geometry (caster, camber, toe-in/out).

 

WHEEL CYLINDER: Found in the automotive drum brake as­sembly, it is a device, actuated by hydraulic pressure, which, through internal pistons, pushes the brake shoes outward against the drums.

 

WHEEL WEIGHT: Small weights attached to the wheel to bal­ance the wheel and tire as­sembly. Out-of-balance tires quickly wear out and also give erratic handling when in­stalled on the front.

 

WHEELBASE: Distance between the center of front wheels and the center of rear wheels.

 

WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT): Full travel of accelerator pedal.

 

WORK: The force exerted to move a mass or object. Work involves motion; if a force is exerted and no motion takes place, no work is done. Work per unit of time is called power. Work = force x distance = ft. lbs. 33,000 ft. lbs. in one minute = 1 horsepower

 

ZERO-THROTTLE COAST DOWN: A full release of accelerator pedal while vehicle is in motion and in drive range.