Trying to figure out what is wrong with my 04 rancher 400at. It does that thing in auto where at low speeds it acts like the parking brake is on and bogs sort of? Some say its not downshifting right... Ive heard the ecm, angle sensor, shift motor, clutch could be culprits. Anybody have luck in figuring out what is wrong? Alot of dealers have no idea what is wrong. Also does anyone know if the recall is still in effect for the ecm on early 04 models? Mine is an early one I think, not sure since I bought it used. Anyhelp would greatly be appreciated.

 

It is an item that Honda dealers can fix. They need to flash the ECM on the Rancher AT. Mine did that initially and took it to them and they checked it out and that was the problem. You can also try to reset the ECM by disconnecting the battery for about 2 minutes and then reconnecting it. They told me that sometimes this can get the ECM to act right. I can say that my machine shifts flawlessly since the dealer fixed it.

 

Can I go to my dealer and ask them to "flash the ecm"? What do you mean by flashing the ecm? does it reset it or... thanks

 

I think they mean to reprogram it. Whatever it was it sure made my 400 AT very responsive. I have it in the shop now for a short that is causing it to blow the main 30amp fuse, but that is unrelated to the ECM problem. My rancher AT is stock and I can ride wheelies with it and before it would never pull up the front wheels.

 

just tell them about the recall, thats it they should know what to do

 

I work at a Honda dealer and they sure are a pain in the but, if you ride them at say 7mph for a long time they shift into 2nd gear. Honda has told us to tell people that ride at this speed to use esp and keep in 1st gear. Yes they should still be able to get you the new ECM and hopefully it didn't wreck the drive clutch, which if it did Honda should also pay for.