Which component is used to control the range shift in a manual transmission?

• A. Starter motor
• B. Ballast resistor
• C. Range shift control valve
• D. Pressure relief valve

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is how range shifting is commanded within a transmission. When a transmission uses hydraulic range shifting, a range shift control valve is the component that directs hydraulic pressure to the actuators (clutches or bands) that engage the appropriate range gear. In other words, this valve controls which circuit gets pressurized to switch between high and low ranges. That makes it the part responsible for performing the shift itself. The other parts don’t perform gear shifting: the starter motor is for starting the engine, a ballast resistor limits electrical current in circuits, and a pressure relief valve only guards the system by limiting pressure, not selecting gears.