I just bought a 2004 400 Rancher AT, I just had the motor rebuilt, new clutchs and highlifter clutch kit put in. The other day i was ridin, for about 1.5 hrs in what off and on, and it started sliping and finally quit pullin. We left it there for about two hrs and it rode just fine. does anyone know what caused that? could it be heat related? and also what does the motor assy control do? Its on the front of the crank case around the tranny.
400 At rancher needs help
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how do i get the codes to flash? and after it sit for about 2 hrs. it went back to pullin and goin right again, just when you stop you can something like an actuater in a 4x4 truck kickin. this is the first auto wheeler i've had so i dont know much about them yet.
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the codes they are speaking of..flash on your display when you turn the key on..but..from what your telling us..it does sound like your clutch is going in and out..probally from over heating..i'd say get new clutch disk...maybe who ever put them in..put them in wrong ??..that's what it sounds like to me...seeing how you let it set for two hours..then went back to it..by that time..the clutch had time to cool down. so..look at a clutch problem from the sound of it.
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Everyone keep in mind that this is an automatic transmission. I don't know much about the Honda automatic transmission since I always stick with the foot shift, but I found the following information on the internet. This is from 4X4 Review Offroad Magazine.
"Honda provides the Electronic Shift Program (ESP). Since the Rancher AT has a CVT, there are no actual gears, but the transmission does have five preset ratios which are controlled by thumb switches next to the left handgrip. This allows you to lock the transmission in a low "gear" for navigating steep hills or pulling heavy loads. ESP mode produces the smoothest shifts I have ever felt in any vehicle. When you shift with the throttle wide open, the only sign that you have changed gears is the audible change in engine RPM and the gear position indicator on the gauge cluster."
"One of the biggest advantages of this transmission is that it doesn't use traditional drive belts. Most ATVs with automatic transmissions employ rubber belts as their primary drive mechanism, and if they get wet, your ride is over until they dry out. The Hondamatic is completely sealed and instead of belts, it uses a set of pump and motor pistons with a motor side swash plate to continuously change motor side hydraulic capacity. The device is maintenance free, but the drawback is that if you break it, plan on spending about $1000 to replace it, as there are no dealer serviceable parts inside."
"Honda provides the Electronic Shift Program (ESP). Since the Rancher AT has a CVT, there are no actual gears, but the transmission does have five preset ratios which are controlled by thumb switches next to the left handgrip. This allows you to lock the transmission in a low "gear" for navigating steep hills or pulling heavy loads. ESP mode produces the smoothest shifts I have ever felt in any vehicle. When you shift with the throttle wide open, the only sign that you have changed gears is the audible change in engine RPM and the gear position indicator on the gauge cluster."
"One of the biggest advantages of this transmission is that it doesn't use traditional drive belts. Most ATVs with automatic transmissions employ rubber belts as their primary drive mechanism, and if they get wet, your ride is over until they dry out. The Hondamatic is completely sealed and instead of belts, it uses a set of pump and motor pistons with a motor side swash plate to continuously change motor side hydraulic capacity. The device is maintenance free, but the drawback is that if you break it, plan on spending about $1000 to replace it, as there are no dealer serviceable parts inside."
Sweet! but before i spend 1000 dollars. im goin to try replacing the control motor($100) on the front which controls the angle of the one of plates that control the fluid, b/c some other ppl have had the same problem with there 400 AT Rancher and said that fixed it.
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Well, it would definitely be worth a try, before you spend $1,000 skins on it.
did you ever fix it? what was the problem?
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I would be very careful on what you replace. You could end up spending money you didn't have too. The Honda auto is similar to a Hydrostatic drive. The control motor moves the a swash plate that give you your different ratios. A swash plate sensor tells a control module what the position the swash plate is in and does this based on various inputs. First determine if there is any malfunction codes and address them first. The Honda manual says to also make sure the engine oil is at the proper level and type. Then says if yes check your oil pressure of the motor. Apparently this will effect the centrifugal clutch. If the oil pressure is good it then asks does the engine speed rise and vehicle speed doesn't when riding. If yes it then says to remove centrifugal clutch and inspect. If faulty replace clutch and if not replace transmission. I would suspect the clutch since it was apart before and the chances are someone never put it back together properly.
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40 Posts
Haha, I hope no one ever said hondas were basic...
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