[Adam961]

Hello,

My niece recently purchased a 2014 420 Rancher Auto/ESP and now it will not go into reverse and when pressing the throttle in forward the Rancher is reluctant to move. After engaging the throttle for a few seconds it will lunge and start moving. It has a little over 2,700 miles and 330 hours. From my understanding it ran fine when she test drove it and started acting up the first time she took it out.

I would appreciate any advice on a possible fix.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[creed82]

Hello,

My niece recently purchased a 2014 420 Rancher Auto/ESP and now it will not go into reverse and when pressing the throttle in forward the Rancher is reluctant to move. After engaging the throttle for a few seconds it will lunge and start moving. It has a little over 2,700 miles and 330 hours. From my understanding it ran fine when she test drove it and started acting up the first time she took it out.

I would appreciate any advice on a possible fix.

Thanks,

Adam

Is the parking brake on?

 

[retro]

Hello,

Welcome to the forums!

First things to do would be to go over every connector plug on the motor and wiring harnesses, unplugging them to make sure each are clean and weathertight before plugging each back together. Check the ground cables where they bolt to the motor and the frame and check the battery terminals & cables for clean tight connections. Verify that you have a good strong battery in the bike... the electronics that control the transmission require a battery in good condition to function. Load test the battery (auto parts stores can do this for you) to be sure it is strong and replace it if its weak.

Finally, always perform oil and filter changes and other maintenance on schedule (or ahead of schedule if riding conditions are sometimes very wet/cold/hot/heavily loaded) because the automatics require clean, high quality (and properly rated!) oil to last.

You can get a copy of the service manual HERE, you'll find that you can't accomplish much without it.

Enjoy your work!

 

[Larryw]

Battery, adjust clutch and angle sensors??

 

[SamUK]

+2 on what retro and Larry have said. Perform general maintenance schedule and checks before you look any further, sometimes these problems can be resolved with such little effort.

 

[Jeepwm69]

check oil level. These have valves like a Rincon that send oil pressure to get things moving.

On the reverse, make sure the lever on the back of the motor is moving when you pull the left brake handle back after pushing the R button. If it is, check the wire coming off the back of the motor next to the lever. If it isn't grounded it won't go into reverse.

 

[Adam961]

Really appreciate the tips. I plan to work on it this weekend and am thankful to have this info to dive into it.

 

[Adam961]

Creed, the parking brake was not on. When I read your post i almost thumped myself in the forehead. Unfortunately, the parking brake was not on. Sure would have been an easy fix - thanks for the suggestion.

Retro, Larry, Sam and Jeep - I plan to look at all your suggestions this weekend. Really appreciate the input.

Had a chance to look at the Rancher today. The rear brake lever has no resistance. Something is broken that the swagged cable end fits into. The rear brake pedal (assuming that's what it is) also does not work; it won't move at all. I've attached pics, can someone verify the pedal is for the rear brake? I'm assuming the rear brake lever has to be squeezed in order to place in reverse? Does anyone know the name of what I need to order for the rear brake assembly?

I want to order the parts to fix this Any recommendations who to order from online would be great.

 

[retro]

You have it right... the pedal in your photo is the rear brake pedal. They can seize up on the pivot shaft if they don't get used or greased. The cable from that pedal goes to the rear brake backer where it connects into the brake cam arm (unless your model has IRS & rear disc brake) with an adjuster nut.

The rear brake lever on the handlebar operates a cable that goes to the rear brake cam arm as well.

To operate the reverse lockout switch you depress the red button on the handlebar rear brake lever, then squeeze and hold the lever in while the red button is down. You should then be able to shift into reverse gear.

You'll have to look it all over good to learn whats broken or missing or unhooked on your rear brakes. The service manual may become your best friend this weekend...

Have fun with it!

 

[Jeepwm69]

This is an IRS bike, so you have a rear disc brake. You can see the caliper and rotor looking in from the rear of the bike.

The foot brake is hydraulic, where the left hand brake is a cable. If neither are working you have some work cut out for you.

As far as reverse, again, look on the rear of the motor. There is a lever coming off with a cable attached. When you push the red R buttom and pull the left brake lever, that cable should pull the lever on the back of the motor to the right. If it does not, it will not go into reverse. If the lever moves to the right, and it still won't go into reverse, check the single wire attached to the motor right next to the lever. If it isn't grounded the computer will not allow the machine to go into reverse.

On my wife's 420AT, I permanently grounded the ground wire, and used the adjuster nuts on the reverse cable so that it keeps the reverse lever on the rear of the motor pulled to the side all the time. That way all she has to do to shift into reverse is hit the down button.

On most Hondas that is risky as you could accidently shift into reverse while moving forward, but on these 420AT's the computer will not allow the machine to shift down into reverse unless the speedometer reads zero, so the other reverse lockouts are redundant.

 

[Adam961]

Finally got a chance to work on the Rancher today. Changed the oil and spark plug and she's running strong. I also sprayed penetrating fluid on the reverse cable and it now goes into reverse.

Also sprayed the rear brake lever and pedal but they still don't work. I'm pretty sure the cables are frozen and ordered both brake cables and a reverse cable today.

The motor runs strong but it does smoke when throttle is pressed. Is that normal for this model?

 

[retro]

Smoke out the exhaust is not normal. Can you explain the smoke you see...? Is it black/dark or blue/light colored? Does it only smoke (or smoke the worst) while accelerating the bike hard in any gear? Only when the motor is at operating temps, or otherwise?