2005 Honda Rancher ES: Shifting Problem I have a 2005 Honda Rancher ES. I was plowing snow and the shifting mechanism on the ATV stopped working. The electric shift moves from N to 1st and R, but the wheels don't engage. Although the display shows that the gears are changing, it seems to be locked in neutral. I also tried to shift it manually with the wrench and the display changes gears, but again, the ATV won't actually engage.

I would be grateful for any suggestions before taking it in to the shop again. I'm starting to wonder about this ATV. In two years, I've had problems with the carburetor, brakes, starter and reverse mechanism.

 

Have you been able to get it in 2nd or 3rd gear?

 

I'm not sure if you have the same setup as on the rincon, are there any shift solenoids located on the tranny where wires could be caught up in the snow / ice and maybe broke off or became lose?

I'm figuring maybe something like that because it abruptly stopped working while you were plowing...

 

Does it make any kind of noise? like the engine trying to rev or gears grinding?
jack it up and check front and rear drive shafts and u joints, just a thought.
Al

 

Most problems with the es is electrical but in your case if you used the manual shift lever and got the same results it sounds mechanical.

 

How cold is it where you live? How deep is the snow you are plowing? Did all these problems occur at once or over a period of time?

Maybe snow/ice has accumulated on the atv's brakes....etc....?

Just throwing thoughts out there for you.

 

No it wouldn't go into 2nd or 3rd. I finally took it into the shop. I don't have the details, but the clutch was intact and funtional. Some small parts related to shifting cable (in front of the clutch) broke and were out of alignment. Two hours of labor plus the parts total nearly $400. Live and learn, maybe I'll be able to the job myself next time.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'll post the exact details when I get report from the shop.