I have a 00 450es that refuses to shift out of neutral. I have tested for power at the shift switches and they seem to be ok, the test light shows power coming off of both switches when depressed. There is no click or noise of any kind when trying to shift. Does anyone have suggestions as to what to try next? Thanks

 

Check to see if the wires are still hooked up , down by the shift motor. If you apply voltage directly to the contact by the motor,..does it click or shift then?
If you use the emergency handle, and try to manually shift...will it?

 

Yes it will shift ok manually...
I will try the voltage application.

 

The service manual next says to check the battery volage, and the connections at the battery.
Then check the fuses, the main and accesory.
Then check the clutch adjustment, at the front side of motor. Loosen the lock nut, but dont remove it..turn the slotted screw, ccw, until you feel resistance, from there, back off 1/4 turn....hold the screw stationary, and snug the lock nut.
It gets alot more involved, if this doesnt fix it, let me know how it goes.

 

Everything up to this point seems to check out ok...still not shifting though

 

Its alot easier on a 02 and newer, ES, because the display will flash a code. The older ones, require more troubleshooting.
Was there anything unusual before the shifting quit working? Did you pressure wash it? Was there an accident? Go mudding and snag a log?
If the tranny shifts with the lever, and goes thru each gear...then the tranny is good, and the es system has a problem.
Voltage, and all fuses are good, and the clutch adjustment has been done?
Youve put a test light on the button switch connector, and there was 12 volts coming to it?
The service manual says to check the main relay first.
If you dont have a clymers, or a honda service manual, and you were thinking of getting one...,nows the time. It may be the best 20 bucks youll spend. I just bought the clymers from Amazon for 22 bucks.
Anyway...the main relay is under the seat, aft of the battery. There is a 4 wire plug going to it, and the color of the wires are, red/yellow, red/white, black/orange, green. Youll need a volt ohm meter, and some patience.
Key is off, for this.
You can check the relay by putting plus 12 volts on the black /orange, and the minus 12 volts on the green. Then using an ohm meter, check for connenuity between the red/yellow, and the red/white. When the power is applied, the relay should show conninuity , when the power is disconnected, it should be open.
You can remove the relay, and test it on the bench, and just run wires from the battery to those terminals.
This could take along time, doing this over the internet, theres lots to check. Youre best bet is the service manual, if this relay is good.