NCE PRACTICE EXAM

2023 Edition

ASE identifies electrical systems as an individual service area. The electrical systems service area involves the components and systems listed below.

Battery a device that stores and provides electrical power for the vehicle.
Charging system -Electrical components that create electrical power for the vehicle.
Starter motor and starter circuit -Components that cranks the engine.
Lighting system -Group of lights that help the driver to see at night (head lights) and that provide convenience (such as a dome light).
Gauges and accessories -Group of electrical components that provide the driver with information and convenience (the gas gauge, brake warning light, and radio, for example).

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General Electrical/Electronic System Diagnosis

1.	When using a DMM (Digital Multimeter) voltmeter function to check for a voltage drop, meter leads should be connected in which of the following ways?
		a. On the "positive" side of the circuit
		b. Across the component or circuit
		c. To any non-conductive material
		d. In series with the circuit
Voltage is always checked in parallel or across the device or circuit. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

General Electrical/Electronic System Diagnosis

2.	Which of the following is correct regarding a series circuit?
		a. Highest resistance has most current
		b. Lowest resistance has most current
		c. Lowest resistance has highest voltage drop
		d. Highest resistance has highest voltage drop
Based on Kirchhoff's Voltage Law: Voltage higher before resistance than after, which is the result of total applied voltage not equal at both ends of a single load circuit. Resistance in circuit opposes electron flow with resulting voltage loss applied to load. The Loss is voltage drop with the voltage lost/consumed as current moves through resistance. HIGHER Resistance, HIGHER DROP. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

General Electrical/Electronic System Diagnosis

3.	When a Digital Multimeter (DMM) is used to measure DC voltage and is connected in parallel to the load device, which of the following defines the reading?
		a. Amperage reading
		b. Voltage drop
		c. Voltage spike
		d. Pulse width modulation
Based on Kirchhoff's Voltage Law: Sum of voltage drops in any circuit will equal source VOLTAGE or VOLTAGE applied to circuit. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

General Electrical/Electronic System Diagnosis

4.	Which of the following tools can be used to check the continuity of wires that carry digital signals?
		a. Megger Meter
		b. Analog meter
		c. Logic probe
		d. Voltmeter
A logic probe is the only device that measures digital signals. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Battery and Starting System Diagnosis and Repair

5.	Using a DMM (Digital Multimeter), a fully charged 12 volt battery should indicate how much voltage on the open circuit voltage (OCV) test?
		a. 9.6 volts
		b. 4 volts per cell
		c. 1 volt per cell
		d. 12.6 volts
The standard is 2.1 volts per cell and 2.1 times 6 is 12.6 volts. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Battery and Starting System Diagnosis and Repair

6.	Two technicians are discussing a battery's state of charge. Technician A says a specific gravity of 1.225 at 80F indicates that a battery's state of charge is approximately 75%. Technician B says you can use a hydrometer to check battery state of charge on a maintenance free battery. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Technician A is correct and Technician B is wrong because maintenance free batteries do not have openings to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte with a hydrometer. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Battery and Starting System Diagnosis and Repair

7.	When performing a load test on a battery, a technician finds that the battery voltage drops below specifications. Which of the following is the MOST likely action to perform?
		a. Recharge the battery and return it to service
		b. Recharge the battery and retest it
		c. Replace the battery
		d. Replace the voltage regulator
The battery was tested under load and failed. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Battery and Starting System Diagnosis and Repair

8.	Two technicians are discussing testing a battery using an electronic conductance or continuity tester. Technician A says some of these testers can load test a battery. Technician B says you need to make sure that the ignition switch and all accessories are off. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Technician A is wrong because this device cannot apply a load. It checks battery conductance. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Charging System Diagnosis and Repair

9.	Two technicians are discussing an alternator with zero output. Technician A says the field circuit may have an open circuit. Technician B says the fusible link may be open from the battery to the alternator. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Both statements are correct. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Charging System Diagnosis and Repair

10.	This question is not like the ones above. It has the word LEAST. For this question, look for the choice that would LEAST LIKELY cause the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer. An alternator has low output and is being full-fielded to determine the cause. Which of the following is the LEAST likely result of full-fielding the alternator?
		a. High battery voltage level
		b. Battery gassing
		c. Low battery voltage level
		d. High alternator amperage output
Full fielding removes the regulator from controlling field current allowing the alternator to go to full output and is unlikely to produce a low battery voltage. This action normally produces high current and voltage. P (Power) = I (Current) x E (Voltage) and is least likely to occur. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Charging System Diagnosis and Repair

11.	Technician A says a loose serpentine alternator drive belt could cause overcharging. Technician B says undersized wiring between the alternator and the battery could cause undercharging. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Technician A is wrong because a slipping belt will cause undercharging. Technician B is correct because undersize wiring will cause undercharging due to higher resistance. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Charging System Diagnosis and Repair

12.	The figure on the right shows a belt tensioner with four lines to indicate belt wear and the need for replacement. Technician A says upon installation of a new belt, the three line marks close to each other should be very close to the ARROW on the base. Technician B says the belt should be replaced if the single line mark lines up with the ARROW on the base. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Both statements regarding the illustration are correct. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Lighting Systems Diagnosis and Repair

13.	Technician A says high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights are generally brighter and have a blue tint. Technician B says a defective turn signal bulb on one side can cause the turn signal on that side not to blink. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Both statements are correct. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Lighting Systems Diagnosis and Repair

14.	Which of the following is the LEAST likely cause of a dim headlight?
		a. Headlight connector corroded
		b. Damaged or broken headlight assembly
		c. Low alternator output
		d. High resistance in the headlight wiring
Low alternator output is the least likely cause. All of the other choices will cause a dim headlight. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Lighting Systems Diagnosis and Repair

15.	Technician A says you aim HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights on a level floor with an unloaded vehicle. Technician B says when aiming any headlights, you must follow the state inspection specifications. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Both statements are correct Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Instrument Cluster & Driver Information Systems Diagnosis & Repair

17.	Which of the following describes the MOST common type of electrical wiring used in instrument lighting?
		a. Aluminum stranded type
		b. Copper stranded type
		c. Twisted pair type
		d. Solid copper type
Copper stranded type electrical wiring is the correct answer because the other types are not common. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Instrument Cluster & Driver Information Systems Diagnosis & Repair

18.	What type of solder is required to repair the instrument panel wiring?
		a. Acid core
		b. 60/40 with no flux
		c. Rosin core
		d. 50/50 with acid paste flux
Rosin core is the specified type of solder to use on any electrical repair to insure integrity. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Instrument Cluster & Driver Information Systems Diagnosis & Repair

19.	A dash indicator warning lamp does not light when the key is in the ON or START positions. What should you check first?
		a. Sending unit
		b. Wiring
		c. Battery level
		d. Bulb
Checking the bulb is the quickest and easiest thing to do. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Lighting Systems Diagnosis and Repair

16.	Technician A says an aiming screen will work on any headlight design to aim the headlights. Technician B says mechanical aimers are used on HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Technician A is correct because the aiming screen is the tool of choice due to the many different headlight designs used. Technician B is wrong because mechanical aimers are no longer used and were never used on HID headlights. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Instrument Cluster & Driver Information Systems Diagnosis & Repair

20.	If a fuel gauge reads full, which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
		a. A broken gauge
		b. Float stuck in the up position
		c. Wire to sending unit grounded
		d. An open fuse
A wire to the sending unit being grounded is the most likely cause on most systems. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.