its a rancher 350 with es. I'm having problems with it shifting. it'll shift fine when it isn't running. once I start it up, if I shift into first it'll die. after it dies, I have to rock it a little and then it'll shift back to neutral. any adjustments I can do? any other advice?

 

The clutch may be sticking and dragging down the motor. Crank the engine and with that little tool that comes with the ES hold up on the shifter like it would be going into 1st and rev the engine a little. Dont let it pop down or it will go into 1st. By holding it up and reving a little if your clutch was stuck it will free it.

 

what is the tool? I don't know too much about honda's and it belongs to a friend of a friend. is it just like a shift lever?

 

The tool is in the rear storage compartment and is a flat stamped emergencey shifter.

 

thanks. I looked for the tool but it wasn't there so I just used a wrench. seems to shift a lot better now. I'm going to clean up the electrical connections tommorrow. thanks again for the help