rocking machine does't help, i actually rode the machine using the manual shifter and it still will not shift with the buttons. is there anyway to tell if a sensor is "bad"? i've had a sensor plug get knocked off before and i lost reverse but, just plugged in the wire back on to the sensor and it worked fine. the warrantee ran out last month and the dealer will help for $45/hr to figure out the problem, which i think is bulldip. i won't be doing business there anymore. i appreciate the replies to my previous post. i went over the machine last night with a tester looking for broken wires but could find nothing. the last time i used my machine i was riding in water(well over the wheels). before i went riding i sprayed the ranchers electronics down with a electronic(water proofing) lube used for my jet skis electronic parts and motor. i also cleaned and resprayed the electronics when i was done. a week later is when i tried to use my rancher and thats when the shifting buttons failed to function. i hope this extra info helps to pin point the problem. thanks again for your input - dana

 

If you can borrow a shop manual or get one from www.helminc.com, it should have an excellent flow chart for trouble shooting your problem.

 

thanks for that site. i'm checking it out now - dana

 

Im glad I got the extended warranty !!!

 

hmmmmm,,,,,,This may sound strange but take the key out and reinsert slowly and turn back on.

Is battery 12 volts when quad is off?

 

This may not help but, this past spring I was riding with a guy on a 450es. After he washed all the mud off of his ride while it was parked in the creek it wouldn't shift out of first gear. They took the seat off and found a fuse by the battery that had a little bit of water in it. They blew it all out real good and dried it out. Then after reinstalling the fuse it worked fine. Like I say I don't know if the rancher has the same fuse or not. But it's worth a quick check. Good luck.

 

If mine starts screwing up like that i hope it learns to fly real quick!!!!
I have no idea how to test sensors other than replacing them. I really need one of those shop manuals.

 

their site said that the Rancher service manual was out of stock, try again later....

 

as far as diagnosing the sensor i took mine back to the shop and they called honda for help and they apparently do not know how to check it either they ordered 3 items and tried the sensor first and that was all they put on so i guess it was a trial and error type situation for the mechanics there too but i could switch mine off when it quit shifting and rock it back to neautral and it would work a litle while i am also glad i got the extended warranty but i will not fight this problem over and over