Mch: Can you shift it manually (in ESP mode) to 4th or 5th? Or does it only occur when you are allowing it to shift automatically (in AUTO mode)?
Are you getting an error code on your display?

 

Hi Kent! When it's in ESP mode it will shift through 3rd with the buttons, no problem. When trying to go to 4th, the first time will give a "-" then it won't do anything. The shift motor won't even actuate. I've had it on stands all day today and rolled through the gears with no luck getting out of third.

When it's in Auto mode, it won't even leave 1st gear. The screen says "D" but it won't shift into second.

There are no DTCs or any other lights on. I'm wondering if the speed sensor is causing the trans to go haywire, because the speedometer isn't working at all. It's a BRAND NEW screen/meter, brand new shift angle sensor, newly lubed shift gearbox, and ALL wire harness connectors have been cleaned thoroughly, greased with dielectric, and reconnected.

I have burned the service manual up trying to figure it out, but the troubleshooting section does not cover "only shifting into certain gears."

I am honestly stumped. It seems like it would be some kind of electronic/sensor problem, but I can't track it down. Any ideas?

 

Maybe there is something in the transmission that is physically keeping it from going into 4th gear. Have you tried shifting by hand using the temporary lever?

 

Aloha KT! Welcome to my troubles, thanks for helping.

So when I shift it manually with the ignition on, the trans will go into gear but will not show up on the screen. I have to turn the ignition off, then back on for it to register that its in 4th gear. It does the same exact thing going from 4th to 5th. In between shutoffs, it will have a stagnant "-" for a few seconds then blink the DTC for shift angle sensor, 23, but as I said, the sensor is new and the plug and wires are good. After shutting it off a handful of times and the bike realizing that its in 5th gear, I can downshift with the electric switch just fine.

Also, when running, the speedo doesn't work. Any thoughts on what that could be? This thing sounds like a real live computer nightmare.

Here's my plan of attack for today:
We have an '06 TRX350 ES that is working CHERRY, so Im going to pull the shift angle sensor off of it, since I KNOW for a fact that its good, and slap it on the '13. Im in the shop today, and this is my priority. I will keep you guys posted.

 

Well, the fact that it will shift manually is very good news. Considering your speedometer issues along with shift problems, I think I would check out the vehicle speed sensor. Instructions for checking it out should be in the service manual.

-Ken

 

Thanks Ken. Ive been through all the sensors as far as checking the voltage to them, and I even swapped the rear VS and the front VS sensors to see if that would have any effect, and so far nothing. Short of replacing ALL the sensors, I don't know what to do. Getting the sensors here will take ages, as I am in a VERY remote part of Maui.

Is there a possibility of the Shift Drum Switch causing this? I hope not, because I really don't wanna tear the whole motor and trans apart to mess with that.

 

I guess I'd resort to the troubleshooting process in the service manual at this point.

 

Theres nothing this specific in the manual. The options there are either "it shifts" or "it doesn't."

So swapping the potentially bad brand new shift angle sensor for a 100% functioning sensor did absolutely nothing...

 

MchEvan, Did anything happen that might have led up to this condition? (Riding hard? Hit something? Low Oil?) I trust that you have checked the shift position sensor?

 

Kent,

These quads are quite literally "rode hard and put up wet", sometimes being left out in the rain and not ridden for days, sometimes ridden hard all day. Its an issue that I am addressing with our management team... This particular ATV is usually used to herd cattle in our "pastures," which are hilly, wet, ungroomed and rocky.

It isn't showing any signs of having hit anything, but that doesn't mean it didn't. I just changed the oil out to Pro Plus ester based full syn, but it was acting like this before the change. Ive done a complete service on it without any improvement.

As far as the shift position sensor, are you referring to the "shift drum position switch," inside the rear crank case? If so, then I have not torn the motor apart and checked on that. I have changed out the shift angle sensor, the VS sensors, the screen/meter, the oil and the grease in the shift reduction gearbox.

I have been testing voltage, resistance and continuity on everything that the service manual says and have not seen any deviation or variance. I am to the point now that I am going to swap the service rolls of this and another quad and just use this one for gentle transportation around the farm, which is sad, because this is almost new and is a bigger, faster machine.

I have literally spent a week, every day going through other tests and potential issues, both in the manual and not. Stumped... :icon_evil::wacko:

 

Hi: Have you disconnected the Shift Position Switch and checked the switch side connector for continuity? If not -- using the shift tool -- you should read zero with your meter on the ohms scale from each wire to ground as you shift with the shift tool.

 

Melatv, thanks for the idea.i have disconnected the switch from the connector multiple times, cleaned and checked what I could using my one set of hands. I don't have the actual emergency shift tool, so I've been using an 8mm for manually shifting, meaning I have to have at least one hand behind the motor. When I get someone to help me I'll do all that and see what's what.

What would be the issue if there actually was continuity with one of the connectors? I'm not sure I remember what the manual says about it and I don't have it in front of me...

Thanks again!

 

Hi: Shift into Reverse with your wrench -- then find the Gray wire on Shift position sw. (connector side going into the motor) -- with your meter on the Ohms scale, from that Gray wire with the red probe on it and the black probe on case ground or battery neg. -- the meter should read zero. Then shift into Neutral and check the wire light green/Red and check it the same way. Then do the same with all the gears (1-5).

 

Mahalos Melatv, I misunderstood the manual there, I thought it wanted it measured "through" the shift. I will hit it as soon as I get to the shop this morning and let you know. Thanks again!

 

Okay guys, curveball... All the pins and connectors read right as far as the last thing we talked about. When I first turned on the ignition this morning, the PS light is on and staying on. Also, when I shift manually, I can get the indicator to show me 5th gear, but when it goes to 4th it just shows either a dash or the angle sensor code, 23. Knowing full well that the shift angle sensor is perfectly good, why would it not show the gear position in 4th gear? Im ready to burn this thing, roll it down the hill into the ocean and forget about it...

Also, when I manually shift it from 3rd to 4th, I have to turn the ignition off to get it to read that its in 4th. Same thing going from 4th to 5th. Now, when its showing that its in 5th, I can push the DOWN shift button and the indicator will move to 4th, but the shift motor and mechanism won't function at all. There is NO click, whir, or any other noise or movement from the trans. When I go from "4th" to 3rd, I hear and feel everything work like normal. Once I am past 3rd, the shift buttons will only allow me to DOWN shift. I cannot, say, go from the supposed 4th up into 5th with the button, I have to do it manually and then turn the ignition off and back on. Same same for 3rd to 4th...

Any ideas? Other than blow it up, of course...

 

Hi: If my bike is not running and moving it will not shift pass 3 RD gear--- You may have to get all 4 wheels off the ground -- Also have you unplugged the PCM (computer) to check for for water or corrosion on the pins?
Battery fully charged?
If the 4th gear didn't move the shift angle sensor, the PCM wouldn't see it to show it on the display -- also if the shift position sw. didn't send the it's info. to the PCM from the 3rd/4th blue/white wire or the 4th neutral blue/green wire of the shift position sw. same thing will show up

 

Hey Melatv,

The battery is fully charged, I did check for the corrosion at the PCM and didn't find anything. I have tried both shifting while running on the ground and up on stands, and still nothing. This thing is gonna need some TLC from a Honda tech to run right again. I will let you all know what goes on. Thanks a whole heap!

 

Legends. Just wondering if anyone has found the solution to this problem? Having troubles with one as we speak. Cheers

 

I HAVE FOUND A FIX!! After spending days trying, check your front diff plug! This plug was disconnected and retarding the ecu. Plugged it in and we have all gears and they work in auto!!!

 

Say what ??

 

The front diff must have a speed sensor in it, we found this plug disconnected, we cleaned the plug and replaced the sensor with a new one and away we went 👍🏽👍🏽

 

No luck for me. Thanks

 

Shift angle sensor was bad, 3 rd one I got finally was good. Went to a dealer and bought one, the first 2 I bought off eBay and Amazon. Lesson learned. Thanks