I have a 2004 honda rancher 350 ES with only 400 miles on it. I bought it new and have done all the minor matience and kept it clean and I havent ridden it hard but now it is acting up all of a sudden. When the atv gets warm, it stops shifting and the gear indicator where it says whether its in 1 or 5 starts blinking and u cannot shift out of that gear. Sometimes turning it off and back on corrects it, but only for a moment and sometimes it doesnt and I have too use the tool in the trunk too manually shift it. Why is it doing this? Has a sensor gone bad? Is there a blown fuse? Is my machine going too blow, what! Please, Im not a mechanicly minding person and I dont know where too start. I will take it in and get it fixed if I have too but i was wondering if its something minor I can fix or am I in big trouble.

 

The blinking is a diagnostic code. Count the number of blinks...it will repeat, but there will be a longer pause between the repeats. The number of blinks, will determine which trouble shooting steps to take. If you have a clymers or honda service manual, it breaks each code into steps to follow to find the issue. If not, just post the number of blinks, and well help you figure it out.
If it will clear by going key off and back on, and you can shift and drive for awhile, most likely means its not a component. Have you done the clutch adjustment lately? Its usually the number one thing to try. Also check all the fuses.

 

thanks bro. i will check the blinks and see what i come up with. i do have the owners manual, does it state in there about diagnostic trouble? i see u r from mn. i am as well. i live up north here in bemidji.

i just got out the book and it talks about the clutch adjustment. ill try that too. i also will check the fuses. thanks again bro. u dont know how much this means too me

 

The owners manual wont have the codes, and wont have the troubleshooting steps. Try the local library for a service manual, ask one of the librarians to help you find one. Usually if the branch you are at, doesnt have it, they can search and get it from another branch.

 

I got on my 05 Rancher Es yesterday and it woulodnt come outt of neutral. N would flash 3 times. I unhooked the battery and now works fine. What does 3 flashes mean? Thanx

 

Heres an old thread, which has the codes.
es codes
And dont just toss and angle sensor at it, because theres more to it than that. Could be a connector with water in it, or a pinched wire, or alot of easily fixed thngs. It might be worth it to buy the service manual, especially if youre gonna work on it yourself.

 

i havent had time too go out too my in laws house and try these tips out, but i will soon. I really do appreciate it though.