Hi all,

I am new to this site/forum. I recently purchased a 03 Rubicon from a guy knowing that it would crank but would not move while in gear. The guy was not very honest with me on what he already tried to replace/fix so I am starting from scratch.

To start:

• I have replaced the battery
• New angle sensor - preloaded angle sensor as well as did the initialization afterwards, still getting 6 flashes.
• I have a new shift motor on order, but don't believe this is going to fix the issue based on other forums I have read. (The display shows that the quad is in gears 1-5, Drive, Low, and Reverse. One question I have is when using es, should I be able to hear the bike shifting gears even though it is not actually moving? I have not been able to hear any shifting and that is why I ordered the shift control motor just in-case.

A note to add: The quad while in reverse, feels like it wants to move, but doesn't. If I were to put it up on blocks, the wheels would spin very slow.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I don't think the gearchange makes any noise in ES as it doesn't actually change gear. That old Hondamatic system works more like a variable belt drive, so in auto it continually changes, in ES it changes to a set ratio in each step. The newer 500 Auto is a normal manual gearbox with electronics doing the gearchange so crunchy, jerky, changes on the new ones. I would be checking the linkage between lever on the tank and gearbox if it won't go into reverse properly. Be sure there is plenty of oil in the engine, they won't work if the oil level is low. You are probably best getting the official Honda workshop manual if you are going to fault trace code 6, as it gives a flow chart of how to test the system.

 

Thank you for your reply.

So after not trusting the angle sensor that I got from Amazon, I went to the local Honda shop and purchased one. I went from getting code six to now getting code 5. From what I can tell that is the control shift motor lock. But I have taken the motor off and I am able to spin the gear inside freely both ways. I tested the control motor switch and it seems to be working as it should.

I am at a loss and not sure what to do. Any help with code 5 would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

My book has both codes 5 and 6 as angle sensor so it may be the wires to the sensor. Two go to light switch cluster and one direct to ECU, check them out as best you can. Throttle position sensor is wired in too, don't know abut Rubicon but manual 500 had problems with water getting into the wires to the TPS.

 

Thanks for your reply merryman.

Well I went through all of the connections that I could at least get loose and still didn't have any luck. Even pulled the butt to check out the ECM plugs above the compartment box in the back, everything seemed fine. Got curious after reading some more forums and the things I was experiencing and ended up pulling the case off of the front of the motor. Come to find out that the dang oil pump chain had come off.

Any tips you would give as to replacing the oil pump chain while I am in there?

Thanks again for your replies.

 

Does it sounds like sputterbox or rev limiter in reverse

 

It did a few times when I put it into reverse. I am however not sure if this is a symptom of the chain being off or not. I will not know if it is still doing it until I get it back together. Have the clutch puller on order so I can replace the chain and sprocket.