Thanks to all for the comments and information. I do not have a manual and would appreciate getting the sensor resetting instructions. I live in eastern South Dakota. You could e-mail me at jack_n_mar@hotmail.com if you wish to write out the instructions.

 

on my trx500 fa i find the difference between d1 and d2 very noticeable. almost like a sub transfer case or alternate to switching to low range at times. anyone not certain drive it at 30 mph in D1 then stop completely and switch to D2 and again drive at 30 mph. My rubicon just lost something in the front drive train. Either stripped some splines or gears or something. it gave no clue ever there was a problem until i buried slightly at the top of a steep grade in 2wd. after switching to 4wd i was still stuck. the first time the bike ever was stuck. Out of a foreman full time 4wd 1998model ,a 2003 rincon, and the 2005 Rubicon. i find the rubicon to be the all around superior machine.

 

Hey Opa, I too live in eastern SD, and have 2 Rubicons 03 and an 06. The 03 would be the same as your 02. Your battery may be getting weak causing your condition. Thats what it was on mine.

 

I find that D1 is for lugging around, pulling trailers and D2 is for cruising the trails. D1 will maintain a lower gear for a longer period before shifting to the next higher gear. D2 will shift sooner into the next higher gear and would make for better fuel economy. As with above posts, the hunting thing is nice in D2 if cruising the trails because of quicker shifting into the higher gear and hence loose the high rpm noise when the tranny stays in the lower gear longer, but your speed picks up. Once use to this, I like the idea, but hear the D1/D2 thing isn't available now in the 09

 

There were several threads a while back that listed how to retrieve error codes. The -- dash indicates the computer detected a problem, which may or may not be the angle sensor. There is also a procedure to reinitialize the computer anytime the angle sensor, throttle position sensor or computer gets replaced. It learns the range of sensor input for the full range of travel for the throttle and swash plate in the transmission.

Regarding the thing acting like it ran out of fuel until you put it on reserve: If you remove the fuel tank (best if mostly empty) and set it on its side, there are a couple of small bolts that hold the petcock to the tank. Remove those and pull it out. It has a very fine screen, and yours is probably clogged up. When set to "on" it pulls fuel from a higher point on the screen, and when set to reserve it will pull fuel until empty.

In regard to other adjustments, being as you bought this used, I would do the valve adjustment, new Honda oil filter and oil change (most climates 10W40 rated SG and MA that does not say energy conserving on the logo), front and rear axle oil change (80W or 75W90 rated GL5), and coolant change (use motorcycle specific traditional ethylene glycol). Also clean the air filter (kerosene or diesel works best) and reoil (use foam filter specific oil).


Edit: Here is an old thread on how to read error codes on the Rubi...http://forums.atvconnection.com/hond...1-rubicon.html

 

This is how to initialize the ECM ..

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