[Breks]

2004 Honda Rancher 400 GPScape

worked just fine in automatic, took it up north and it started to not want to start driving in automatic mode. would apply throttle and the atv barely moved, let off throttle and re applied and it would work. almost as if it was starting in too high of a gear. keep in mind that it runs and drives great in ESP and i have no current codes on the quad.

 

[retro]

Does it act up when it is cold or after reaching operating temp? Is the motor oil clean, correct viscosity for the temps the bike is being operated at, and filled to the proper oil level?

Welcome to the forums.

 

[hodge5]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Breks]

Does it act up when it is cold or after reaching operating temp? Is the motor oil clean, correct viscosity for the temps the bike is being operated at, and filled to the proper oil level?



Welcome to the forums.

brand new oil, 10w40
Does at all temps

 

[wheelsquad]

@Breks Sounds exactly like what mine would do when the the clutch began to slip every so slightly. The ECM doesn't properly process it when you get clutch slip and puts it in too high gear ratio almost instantly. Yet it will work fine is ESP mode.

But the 2004's also had this problem without clutch slip from the factory and had an ECM recall. So the first thing to check is if yours had that done. Have you had it since new?

 

[Breks]

@Breks Sounds exactly like what mine would do when the the clutch began to slip every so slightly. The ECM doesn't properly process it when you get clutch slip and puts it in too high gear ratio almost instantly. Yet it will work fine is ESP mode.

But the 2004's also had this problem without clutch slip from the factory and had an ECM recall. So the first thing to check is if yours had that done. Have you had it since new?

have not had it since new. has 8500km on it

 

[wheelsquad]

@Breks Sounds exactly like what mine would do when the the clutch began to slip every so slightly. The ECM doesn't properly process it when you get clutch slip and puts it in too high gear ratio almost instantly. Yet it will work fine is ESP mode.

But the 2004's also had this problem without clutch slip from the factory and had an ECM recall. So the first thing to check is if yours had that done. Have you had it since new?

have not had it since new. has 8500km on it

Ok. Since it worked just fine for you in the past, I am leaning to think it is your centrifugal clutch then. No joke when I say these things are super sensitive to that. While we're at it, what size tires are you running?

 

[Breks]

ive only had 5 rides on it. 3 were good. took it up north, it worked really hard. lots of mud. running 26 inch mud lites.

 

[wheelsquad]

26 inch tires + deep mud + no sub-transmission with a dedicated low range = wear on centrifugal clutch on a 400AT. if you've never come across this thread, post #1 by melsman will be very informative to you: https://www.hondaatvforums.net/forums/honda-rancher/20542-what-i-ve-learned-about-rancher-400fa.html

 

[Breks]

thanks for the link. so now to figure out how to replace the clutch... just put the motor back together, will i wreck anything driving it in ESP?

 

[Breks]

still need to locate a physical copy of the service manual, test the oil pressure and is there a way to adjust the clutch? thought i read somewhere that you can.

 

[ATC4ever]

There is a manual in here.
https://www.hondaatvforums.net/foru...nual-help/50817-service-manual-downloads.html

 

[wheelsquad]

still need to locate a physical copy of the service manual, test the oil pressure and is there a way to adjust the clutch? thought i read somewhere that you can.

On the ES and footshift models you adjust the change clutch. But the centrifugal clutches on them are not adjustable. And our 400FA's only have the centrifugal and they are also not adjustable.

I ran mine in ESP mode for years before what was minor slip that prevented auto from working properly finally turned into enough slip to be noticeable in ESP mode. Like many years. You will cause no harm doing the same. Just check and change your oil and filter often. I've been running Rotella T6 5w40 for a few years now with great results.

 

[Breks]

okay, may run it in esp for a while. not a fan of the mud, snorkelled and vented everything to go on a trip, figured better safe than sorry, tranny started acting up and ended up having to do top end motor rebuild. so not sure if i will end up keeping the quad.

 

[Breks]

if the rancher 400 only has thr centrifugal clutch, why does it need oil that is good for wet clutches?

 

[wheelsquad]

if the rancher 400 only has thr centrifugal clutch, why does it need oil that is good for wet clutches?

Because the centrifugal clutch is contained within the motor and oil bath. Weight arms with friction material and a drum around the outside, with a one-way bearing to provide true engine braking.

go to about 0:35 to see the centrifugal clutch

 

[Breks]

so im going to want to drain the oil before i remove front cover? Thanks for that video.

 

[wheelsquad]

so im going to want to drain the oil before i remove front cover?

Yes you'll definitely want to drain the oil in advance, otherwise it will drain itself in a much bigger mess. I didn't personally replace my own clutch myself because I couldn't motivate anyone at the time to be my hands for me, so I paid way too much to have a dealer do it. Follow along the service manual and go step by step and measure all parts up against their listed tolerances along the way. If you decide to replace the one-way bearing while you are in there (I would with that many miles on it), only use OEM. Aftermarket one-ways are junk. Aftermarket clutch weights can be ok, and it looks like G&H sells them.

 

[Breks]

im most likely going to have to go with dealer for everything, not many aftermarket available in canada that ive been able to find.