[Hunterspaw]

I have a 2005 Honda Rancher 400 AT and it is stuck in neutral. If I try to put it in drive it just stays in neutral. It doesn’t make any noises or even act like it tries. Same thing if I try to put it in reverse. And it doesn’t matter if it’s in automatic or ESP. The N on the display screen doesn’t blink either so I don’t even know what code it is. Just shows the N for neutral the whole time. If anyone has had this problem and got it fixed please let me know what it is or if you have any suggestions! Thanks in advance.

 

[wheelsquad]

I have a 2005 Honda Rancher 400 AT and it is stuck in neutral. If I try to put it in drive it just stays in neutral. It doesn’t make any noises or even act like it tries. Same thing if I try to put it in reverse. And it doesn’t matter if it’s in automatic or ESP. The N on the display screen doesn’t blink either so I don’t even know what code it is. Just shows the N for neutral the whole time. If anyone has had this problem and got it fixed please let me know what it is or if you have any suggestions! Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum.

What does it feel like when you move the main shift selector? I would start there, make sure the mechanism is all connected and that the cable is moving the short arm where it connects to the engine: https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/atv/2005/trx400fa-a-fourtrax-rancher-at/select-lever

 

[Hunterspaw]

I have a 2005 Honda Rancher 400 AT and it is stuck in neutral. If I try to put it in drive it just stays in neutral. It doesn’t make any noises or even act like it tries. Same thing if I try to put it in reverse. And it doesn’t matter if it’s in automatic or ESP. The N on the display screen doesn’t blink either so I don’t even know what code it is. Just shows the N for neutral the whole time. If anyone has had this problem and got it fixed please let me know what it is or if you have any suggestions! Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum.



What does it feel like when you move the main shift selector? I would start there, make sure the mechanism is all connected and that the cable is moving the short arm where it connects to the engine: https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/atv/2005/trx400fa-a-fourtrax-rancher-at/select-lever

Thank you for the replay and link as well. It doesn’t really feel like anything. I have taken the plastic off. I put it in drive or reverse and it goes into that shot fine but I don’t see any short arm moving or anything like that. Everything seems to be connected though.


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[wheelsquad]

I have a 2005 Honda Rancher 400 AT and it is stuck in neutral. If I try to put it in drive it just stays in neutral. It doesn’t make any noises or even act like it tries. Same thing if I try to put it in reverse. And it doesn’t matter if it’s in automatic or ESP. The N on the display screen doesn’t blink either so I don’t even know what code it is. Just shows the N for neutral the whole time. If anyone has had this problem and got it fixed please let me know what it is or if you have any suggestions! Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum.



What does it feel like when you move the main shift selector? I would start there, make sure the mechanism is all connected and that the cable is moving the short arm where it connects to the engine: https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/atv/2005/trx400fa-a-fourtrax-rancher-at/select-lever

Thank you for the replay and link as well. It doesn’t really feel like anything. I have taken the plastic off. I put it in drive or reverse and it goes into that shot fine but I don’t see any short arm moving or anything like that. Everything seems to be connected though.


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Are you able to verify the cable moves when you put it into the D or R slots? That cable needs to move when doing so, otherwise the tranny isn't getting the input it needs to actually shift into drive or reverse.

 

[Hunterspaw]

Welcome to the forum.







What does it feel like when you move the main shift selector? I would start there, make sure the mechanism is all connected and that the cable is moving the short arm where it connects to the engine: https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/atv/2005/trx400fa-a-fourtrax-rancher-at/select-lever

Thank you for the replay and link as well. It doesn’t really feel like anything. I have taken the plastic off. I put it in drive or reverse and it goes into that shot fine but I don’t see any short arm moving or anything like that. Everything seems to be connected though.





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Are you able to verify the cable moves when you put it into the D or R slots? That cable needs to move when doing so, otherwise the tranny isn't getting the input it needs to actually shift into drive or reverse.

Yeah it moves very little. Not much at all.


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[wheelsquad]

Yeah it moves very little. Not much at all.

I won't be near mine for a few weeks, otherwise I would see how much total movement there is in mine to shift from D-N-R. Any way for you to record and post a video of moving the shifter and the corresponding cable and shift arm movement?

 

[Hunterspaw]

Yeah it moves very little. Not much at all.

I won't be near mine for a few weeks, otherwise I would see how much total movement there is in mine to shift from D-N-R. Any way for you to record and post a video of moving the shifter and the corresponding cable and shift arm movement?

Okay let me try that and see if I can figure that out.


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[Hunterspaw]

Yeah it moves very little. Not much at all.

I won't be near mine for a few weeks, otherwise I would see how much total movement there is in mine to shift from D-N-R. Any way for you to record and post a video of moving the shifter and the corresponding cable and shift arm movement?

I can’t figure out how to post a video. Only a picture.


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[wheelsquad]

I can’t figure out how to post a video. Only a picture.

Most everyone here uses YouTube

 

[Hunterspaw]

I can’t figure out how to post a video. Only a picture.

Most everyone here uses YouTube

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[Hunterspaw]

I can’t figure out how to post a video. Only a picture.

Most everyone here uses YouTube

Did you see the video?


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[wheelsquad]

I did. Looks like the shift mechanism is working as it should, but the cable itself doesn't appear to be moving enough.

Unfortunately hardly any regulars on this forum have 400AT's anymore to compare to. Maybe you'll get lucky and somebody will stumble upon it.

Can you manually pull on the cable itself enough to get it to go in and out of gear?

 

[ATC4ever]

You could try & put something on the shifting shaft yourself like an adjustable or vice grips to try it. I had an 06 that broke just before the shaft & I ended up putting some kind of clamp on it, lasted years even after i sold it.

 

[Hunterspaw]

I did. Looks like the shift mechanism is working as it should, but the cable itself doesn't appear to be moving enough.



Unfortunately hardly any regulars on this forum have 400AT's anymore to compare to. Maybe you'll get lucky and somebody will stumble upon it.



Can you manually pull on the cable itself enough to get it to go in and out of gear?

I have no idea. I haven’t even tried that but I guess I can try that!


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[Hunterspaw]

You could try & put something on the shifting shaft yourself like an adjustable or vice grips to try it. I had an 06 that broke just before the shaft & I ended up putting some kind of clamp on it, lasted years even after i sold it.

Thanks for the idea! So what is that you think I should try? I just want to have a good idea in my head that way I do it right lol


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[ATC4ever]

Try & turn this cam here. It was a few years ago, but i think i used my hand to change the gear. If yours doesnt move even with something forcing it, then you may have some internal damage. Put the key on to see if it shows N or R if it moves, if you have it running, well, put the P brake on lol.

 

[Hunterspaw]

Try & turn this cam here. It was a few years ago, but i think i used my hand to change the gear. If yours doesnt move even with something forcing it, then you may have some internal damage. Put the key on to see if it shows N or R if it moves, if you have it running, well, put the P brake on lol.

Okay I will definitely try that! Is that bolt that I need to try to turn? If it is, it looks like somebody else before me has tried to turn it.


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[wheelsquad]

Try & turn this cam here. It was a few years ago, but i think i used my hand to change the gear. If yours doesnt move even with something forcing it, then you may have some internal damage. Put the key on to see if it shows N or R if it moves, if you have it running, well, put the P brake on lol.

Okay I will definitely try that! Is that bolt that I need to try to turn? If it is, it looks like somebody else before me has tried to turn it.


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Glad you pointed that out. I watched the video again and saw that. So it looks like someone else has already tried the same thing. Did you just acquire this ATV? And has it ever shifted for you?

 

[Hunterspaw]

Try & turn this cam here. It was a few years ago, but i think i used my hand to change the gear. If yours doesnt move even with something forcing it, then you may have some internal damage. Put the key on to see if it shows N or R if it moves, if you have it running, well, put the P brake on lol.

Okay I will definitely try that! Is that bolt that I need to try to turn? If it is, it looks like somebody else before me has tried to turn it.





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Glad you pointed that out. I watched the video again and saw that. So it looks like someone else has already tried the same thing. Did you just acquire this ATV? And has it ever shifted for you?

Yes I just got the atv last week and when I started it to take it for a spin that’s when I realized it wouldn’t go in gear. So yeah I’ve never seen it shift into gear.


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[wheelsquad]

Okay I will definitely try that! Is that bolt that I need to try to turn? If it is, it looks like somebody else before me has tried to turn it.





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Glad you pointed that out. I watched the video again and saw that. So it looks like someone else has already tried the same thing. Did you just acquire this ATV? And has it ever shifted for you?

Yes I just got the atv last week and when I started it to take it for a spin that’s when I realized it wouldn’t go in gear. So yeah I’ve never seen it shift into gear.


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With those bits of info, I am leaning towards agreeing with @ATC4ever that it is most likely an internal issue