Category 1: Manual Drive Trains & Axles
Category 2: Automatic Transmissions
Category 3: HVAC (Heating & AC)
Category 4: Shop Safety & Tools
Final Jeopardy Category: Advanced HVAC Diagnostics
100
This component uses friction to connect and disconnect the engine from the transmission.
What is the Clutch Assembly?
100
This component acts as a fluid coupling to transfer engine torque to the transmission input shaft.
What is the Torque Converter?
100
This is the chemical substance used in modern automotive AC systems to absorb and release heat.
What is Refrigerant (e.g., R-134a or R-1234yf)?
100
This document provides detailed information about a chemical’s hazards, handling, and emergency procedures.
What is an SDS (Safety Data Sheet)?
100
A customer complains that their vehicle’s heater is blowing cold air while idling at a stoplight, but the air gets hot as soon as they start driving again. The engine temperature gauge is reading slightly higher than normal, and the A/C system is turned off. 
The Question: Identify the two most likely causes for this specific "cold at idle, hot when moving" symptom.
What are a Low Coolant Level (Air Pocket) or a Failing Water Pump?
The "Why" for the Students:
Low Coolant: At idle, the coolant level may be too low to reach the heater core (the highest point in many systems). Increasing RPMs creates enough pressure to force the remaining coolant into the core.
Water Pump: A pump with eroded impeller vanes might not circulate enough volume at low RPMs to reach the heater core but provides just enough flow at higher engine speeds.
200
These components allow for small changes in the length of the driveshaft as the suspension moves up and down.
What are Slip Yokes?
200
This "brain" of the automatic transmission uses hydraulic pressure to direct fluid to the correct clutches and bands.
What is the Valve Body?
200
This component is responsible for removing heat from the refrigerant, turning it from a high-pressure gas into a high-pressure liquid.
What is the Condenser?
200
When using a floor jack, you must always use these before crawling under the vehicle.
What are Jack Stands?
300
This part of the synchronizer assembly is responsible for matching the speed of the gear to the shaft before engagement.
What is the Synchronizer Ring (or Blocker Ring)?
300
This specific component allows a planetary gear member to rotate in one direction but locks it in the other.
What is a One-Way (Sprag or Roller) Clutch?
300
This part of the HVAC system acts as a small radiator, using engine coolant to warm the cabin air.
What is the Heater Core?
300
This class of fire extinguisher is required for fires involving flammable liquids like gasoline or oil.
What is Class B?
400
This type of final drive gearset uses a pinion gear that is positioned below the centerline of the ring gear.
What is a Hypoid Gearset?
400
A basic planetary gear set consists of these three main members.
What are the Sun Gear, Carrier (Planet Gears), and Ring (Annulus) Gear?
400
This device monitors the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant to regulate its flow into the evaporator.
What is the Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV) or Orifice Tube?
400
This is the proper procedure for handling a hybrid vehicle’s high-voltage system before performing major transmission work.
What is Removing the High-Voltage Service Plug (and waiting for the capacitors to discharge)?
500
When diagnosing a growling noise that disappears when the clutch pedal is fully depressed, this bearing is the most likely culprit.
What is the Input Shaft Bearing? (Note: If it makes noise only when depressed, it’s the Release/Throw-out bearing).
500
If a vehicle has a "stall speed" that is lower than factory specifications, it usually indicates this specific problem within the torque converter.
What is a Slipping Stator One-Way Clutch?
500
In a Manifold Gauge set, if both high and low side pressures are nearly equal while the compressor is running, it indicates this failure.
What is Internal Compressor Failure (Leaking Valves/Pistons)?
500
This is the maximum air pressure allowed for "dead-ended" cleaning with a blowgun according to OSHA standards.
What is 30 PSI?