Honda Mechanic; need help with gear shifter and indicators

12195 Views 15 Replies 4 Participants Last post by DoubleDad, Aug 22, 2013

rufus

Discussion Starter · Feb 26, 2007

I have a 2000 350 4x4 Rancher S shifter, equip with 424 kit, Detroit Locker and 26" XTR's. Just started having problems with Neutral/Reverse lights and starting. All my research leads me to angle sensor but I can't find any cut sheets or break away drawings to help me repair my machine.

Honda Mechanic, Have you seen this problem and do you have cut sheets to show how to repair?

Has anyone had this problem, and if so how did you repair it?

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Honda Mechanic

· #2 · Feb 26, 2007

The TRX350FM (foot shifter) model doesn't use an angle sensor ,the TRX350FE (electric shift) model does use an angle sensor .. What exact problems with neutral/reverse are you having ..

In 2000 -01 Honda had trouble with the shift drum breaking at the end where the gearshift indicator "T" locks into the shift drum.. This caused the bike not to show neutral when in neutral , and not to show reverse when in reverse .. So without the neutral light the bike wouldn't start ...

rufus

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 27, 2007

Shifting indicating lights

Honda Mechanic,

Exactly what is happening. My neutral is reverse light indicator at times and reverse is no lights. Sometimes more than not lately it will not start even if it is truly in neutral. I have to play with the shifter and hold the start button and it fires off. I started it the other night and it was in first gear. Any suggestions or do you think I should just bring it in?

Thanks

Honda Mechanic

· #4 · Feb 27, 2007

Honda Canada stopped fixing the shift drum under warranty but could possibly supply parts , pay the labor , or 50/50 , 40/60 or partial help fix your bike .. Your dealer just has to phone Hondas tech line and find out if Honda will help out ..Most dealers won't even try for warranty but a lot of the time Honda will help in some way ..

The rear cover has to be removed to check if it is actually the shift drum .. But it sounds to me like that's what your problem is .. We've fixed a couple of dozen (or more) with this problem .. In fact we had 3 in last summer all 2001 models that Honda Canada did fix under full warranty ,but they were covered because of the circumstances of the bikes location .. They are used by scientists on Sable Island and couldn't be removed for repair ,we knew they were coming for about 2 years and we had the parts waiting .. The ship was only in for supplies and to swap crews , so 4 mechanics replaced 3 shift drums from 8am and finished just before midnight..

rufus

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 27, 2007

Honda Mechanic

Thanks for your help. I will make arrangements for it to be looked at by our local Honda dealership.

Again thanks

rufus

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 1, 2007

Honda Mechanic --- thanks

You were totally correct. The gear shifter drum on my bike needs to be replaced, 70 dollar part and app. 8 hrs est. for labor since the engine needs to be removed and the case split....bad for me, but I will have my bike back soon.

Again thanks.

rufus

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 9, 2007

Re: Honda Mechanic --- thanks

QUOTE ("rufus":3vh4jsub)

You were totally correct. The gear shifter drum on my bike needs to be replaced, 70 dollar part and app. 8 hrs est. for labor since the engine needs to be removed and the case split....bad for me, but I will have my bike back soon.

Again thanks.

Update: No Honda support at all & a $600.00 dollar est becomes actual $1027.75 for final repairs. Shifting drum $ 237.00 and the rest is labor & taxes.

Honda Mechanic

· #8 · Apr 9, 2007

I don't know where you live but the price on the shift drum is $99.19 CDN .. The dealer cost is just over $50.00 .. I don't know the US price for the shift drum but it shouldn't be much over $75.00 US ...

The Canadian prices are below .. Gasket kit A is top end and includes head , base , top cover gaskets ..

Shift drum $99.19
Gasket kit A $38.12

The Honda flat rate manual calls for 6.9 hours to change a shift drum .. That shop should be able to do your bike in 10 hours

In another of your posts you said the drum was in the $70. range ..Which is the right price ..Where did the $237.00 come from..

rufus

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 9, 2007

I don't know where you live but the price on the shift drum is $99.19 CDN .. The dealer cost is just over $50.00 .. I don't know the US price for the shift drum but it shouldn't be much over $75.00 US ...

The Canadian prices are below .. Gasket kit A is top end and includes head , base , top cover gaskets ..

Shift drum $99.19
Gasket kit A $38.12

The Honda flat rate manual calls for 6.9 hours to change a shift drum .. That shop should be able to do your bike in 10 hours

In another of your posts you said the drum was in the $70. range ..Which is the right price ..Where did the $237.00 come from..[/quote

$237 was the price for the complete shifting drum. They orginal quote me a shifting drum price of $70 dollars. When I talked to Honda tech support today they basicly blew me off. They said they would not do anything for me because they indicate in 8/01 they performed a fix under warrenty to the orginal owner. The repair shop would not even call Honda Tech support for me, I had too myself. I did however asked Honda support if $237.00 was the right price, and they agreed. Listen, thanks for your input. I believe you for I see you helping everyone here at this site. Take care!

rufus

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 10, 2007

Honda Mechanic

Here is the real deal on my shifting woes. The part at the end of the shifting drum snapped like you thought but it cracked the case! When I talked to Honda Tech. Support about the conversation of recall and known issues with the shifting drum on my bike they said it was done on warrenty back in 2001. Well I had the repair shop check the record of history using the atv vehicle id# for repairs on the bike as well as warrenty issues there were none to be found! Imagine that!!

My bike is back home, works and shifts great. They installed the shifting drum , new case, ringed the engine and serviced the bike. Labor was 500 dollars and parts with tax the remainding 527 and change.

Now you know the whole sorry. I was lied too by Honda Tech support. I would have been happier if they said we are not going to help verses lying to me. You take care, if I have anymore issues I will be asking for your input. You I trust.

DoubleDad

· #11 · Aug 19, 2013

I own a 2000 Rancher and it appears that I am having the same issues. I have checked all connections and continuity, everything seems ok. About two days before no neutral indication, the neutral light stayed on even in gear and would crank in gear as well. Now no neuteral and will not start.
Does this still indicate a shift pin problem?

Is there any way to "jump out'" or by-pass this so the atv will start? I know this is not the smartest thing to do but I just paid the first years tuition for my son at a major college and I dont't have an extra grand right now and I use my atv almost daily.

Thanks, Dave

toodeep

· #12 · Aug 19, 2013

Welcome to the forum. Most likely the gear position switch got moisture in it over the years and is shorting out (it's inside the rear cover of the motor). Is yours a foot shift or electric shift model? The light green/red stripe wire coming from the gear position switch is the neutral wire. If you ground that wire the machine will think it's in neutral and start.

DoubleDad

· #13 · Aug 20, 2013

Thanks for the welcome. My Rancher is a foot shifter. I will give this a try and let you know how it goes. Thanks

DoubleDad

· #14 · Aug 22, 2013 (Edited)

Thanks TooDeep, I temporarily jumped the green/red and it would start. That raises two more questions

Can I permanently install a jumper without risking damage to any components? At least until I can get the problem fixed. I know it will start at any time but I can live with that.

Does this rule out the shift drum issue or could this still be the root problem?

Actually 3 questions

If it is a shorting out problem, do I have to split the cases to access the gear position switch?

toodeep

· #15 · Aug 22, 2013

There will be no problems running it with the neutral wire grounded. It doesn't rule out the shift drum but most likely it would be the switch (rear cover has to be removed to check either of them).

DoubleDad

· #16 · Aug 22, 2013

Thanks again

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