I have an issue with the reverse light that goes on when I run my Rancher. It starts good runs and shifts. When I start the bike the reverse light is off. After it runs for awhile the light will come on dim. Then it will go bright like I have it in reverse. I turn the headlight on and the reverse light goes out. Has anyone seen this problem? I appreciate any input. Thanks Bruce
2002 Rancher reverse light issue
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Is this an FM, FE, TM, or TE model?
Sounds weird doesn't it... does the reverse light come on when you shift into reverse and go out when shifted out of reverse?
I'd start by unplugging the gear position switch connectors, clean the terminals in them and dielectric grease them. Check the gear position switch per the service manual while you have it unplugged. Also clean and retighten the ground cable where it attaches to the frame next to the harness plugs under the right side of the rear fender.
If it still acts up unplug the dash/meter connector and clean & dielectric grease that too.
Let us know what you find out... and welcome to the forums!
Sounds weird doesn't it... does the reverse light come on when you shift into reverse and go out when shifted out of reverse?
I'd start by unplugging the gear position switch connectors, clean the terminals in them and dielectric grease them. Check the gear position switch per the service manual while you have it unplugged. Also clean and retighten the ground cable where it attaches to the frame next to the harness plugs under the right side of the rear fender.
If it still acts up unplug the dash/meter connector and clean & dielectric grease that too.
Let us know what you find out... and welcome to the forums!
Joined
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222 Posts
Won’t damage anything except there’s a short somewhere which isn’t good meaning the bike could strand him or even catch fire.
As far I know the only connection where headlights and reverse lights come together is at the dash connections. It might be better to give that connection a peak for fir any bare wires near there and clean and dielectric grease the connection as mentioned above by retro.
As far I know the only connection where headlights and reverse lights come together is at the dash connections. It might be better to give that connection a peak for fir any bare wires near there and clean and dielectric grease the connection as mentioned above by retro.
Start here:
https://www.hondaatvforums.net/foru...-rancher-reverse-light-issue.html#post1262418
Its probably either a dirty/corroded connector plug or a failing gear position switch. Did you get a copy of the service manual yet?
https://www.hondaatvforums.net/foru...-rancher-reverse-light-issue.html#post1262418
Its probably either a dirty/corroded connector plug or a failing gear position switch. Did you get a copy of the service manual yet?
Have you checked the gear position switch and reverse switch per the service manual yet? Those are your 1st steps.... you'll need a multimeter and a few minutes of your time. Report back with those results and we'll go to the next step.
Don't buy anything until you learn whether you need a particular part or not. That wastes our time and your money.
If you are unable to view the service manual say so, we can still help you. See the attachments from section 21
Don't buy anything until you learn whether you need a particular part or not. That wastes our time and your money.
If you are unable to view the service manual say so, we can still help you. See the attachments from section 21
Attachments
The reverse light going out when you turn the headlights on will probably be a dirty, wet, or corroded harness connector plug somewhere. Those plugs are not waterproof... they only look like they are. As I alluded to in my 1st post, every connector on the bike will probably need to be opened, sprayed with electrical contact cleaner, dried, then reassembled using dielectric grease on the connectors to seal them.
This is routine maintenance. The fenders will need to be taken off to access/remove from the frame clips, and open all of the plugs.
Let us know what you learn.
Don't buy an angle sensor, you don't need one.
Did some testing on my rancher today. Still not shifting or even clicking. Checked battery volts 12.1v, Changed angle sensor. checked shift motor it was good. checked voltage to shift motor at plug, I didnt get any voltage to plug. I had the key switch on and tried to shift with the buttons. nothing. Do I have to have it running? Thanks for your help. Bruce
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19 Posts
I bet you if its not your gear position switch connections, its something to do with your ECM (especially if you have/had a frayed wiring harness). Last spring I ran into a ton of issues with my bike being stuck in first, neutral or reverse. I tried all the stuff you have done (angle sensor, test continuity/voltage/resistance per the manual, etc) none of it worked. I had a code 12 being thrown, which usually means either angle sensor, or shift motor, but it was neither, it was actually the system that was throwing the code (the ECM) that had the fault. I figured this out by testing the shift motor circuit pins for continuity and resistance on the ECM. I won't get into how it works specifically because its complex, but I've made a thread with a method of bypassing the ECM (which is about a 200$ part) for around 20$, using 5 relays. It will delete your ability to shift in AUTO (you can only use ES/ESP), but you can buy the ECM down the road and re-wire it up.
Here is a link to my thread: https://www.hondaatvforums.net/foru...400fga-rancher-400-electric-shift-bypass.html
Best of luck I'm sure everything will work out!
called on my rancher yesterday. he said i had a bad battery. $200.00. they had it for 4 weeks. kind of scratching my head on this one. it started fine when i took it in. i also put a volt meter on it and got 12.1 volts. i thought testing the battery was one of the first steps in troubleshooting. maybe im missing something
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