Which of the following is the third broad area of transmission failures?

• A. Diagnostic
• B. Electronic
• C. Technical
• D. Chemical

Answer: (B)

Modern transmissions fail in three broad domains: mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic control. The third broad area is electronic, which covers the computer-controlled parts: the engine/transmission control unit, solenoids, sensors, wiring, and related software. When a fault isn’t due to worn gears or hydraulic pressure, it’s often traced to an electronic issue like a sensor reading out of spec, a faulty ECU, or an intermittent electrical connection. These electronic faults form a distinct category because they involve electrical circuits and digital control rather than moving parts or fluid pressure.

The other options don’t fit as broad fault categories here. Diagnostic describes the process of finding faults, not a type of fault. Technical is too vague to be a standard category, and chemical isn’t a typical broad domain for transmission failures (apart from fluid contamination, which is still considered part of the hydraulic/electrical context rather than a separate chemical category).