I have a 2000 Honda trx350fm 4x4, neutral light works but comes on in different spots, reverse, neutral and first gear. Sometimes flickers between making it hard to turn on to start. Wondering if or how I can test the shift assembly switch in the rear of the motor before taking it all apart. Now reverse light is eradic ? Seen it can also be the rod that comes from the shift drum! If that's broke motor needs to be tore down. Any help to diagnose before disassembling would be appreciated.
Neutral light issues
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Sounds like you may have a loose connection or pinched wire. Always start with the basics so before tearing anything apart you need to use a voltmeter to test the wiring. You should be able to find a wiring diagram either on this forum or a Google search. It would be best to get a service manual because it will show you how to test each connection as well as the switches. There are some manuals on this forum that you can download so check to see if there is one for your bike.
Keep us posted because there are experts here who would be happy to help you with the specific process.
As advised above, check the harness and connector plug condition first. Put some dielectric grease in the plug once it is clean and verify that all is good using a multimeter. The service manual shows you how to test the gear position switch using a multimeter, in the switches section.
If the wiring, connector plug and gear position switch pass the tests, its likely that the end of the shift drum has broken off. The 2000-2001 Rancher FM/TM models had shift drums which could break and were repaired by Honda for free, but only if/when they broke... there was no blanket recall program for them. That free replacement program has long since expired though, so if yours is broken you'll have to replace the drum yourself with a 2002 or newer shift drum. Ya gotta split the cases to replace that drum.
Let us know what you find.
If the wiring, connector plug and gear position switch pass the tests, its likely that the end of the shift drum has broken off. The 2000-2001 Rancher FM/TM models had shift drums which could break and were repaired by Honda for free, but only if/when they broke... there was no blanket recall program for them. That free replacement program has long since expired though, so if yours is broken you'll have to replace the drum yourself with a 2002 or newer shift drum. Ya gotta split the cases to replace that drum.
Let us know what you find.
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Thanks retro, manual helped me find things. Wiring looks good and connection is really clean. Neutral light still comes on in reverse sometimes or neutral sometimes or first gear sometimes and sometimes it will flash as you go from neutral to first or from neutral to reverse? Like it is moving around a little! If the shaft from the shifting drum was broken I wouldn't think it would be so consistent! I read you can take the swing arm off to get at this! I am not repairing a broken shift drum as I will not take the motor out. So if it is the drum I will wire a neutral delet instead and run it. Any other ideas or thoughts would be appreciated
Well then, it either has a bad gear position switch or a broken shift drum. I'm leaning towards a broken shift drum being the most likely issue, going by your explanations.
Ya gotta remove the rear crankcase cover to replace that gear position switch. You'll be able to see if the end of the shift drum is broken (the piece will be loose and easily pulled out) once you get that cover off. May as well get crackin' on it.
Ya gotta remove the rear crankcase cover to replace that gear position switch. You'll be able to see if the end of the shift drum is broken (the piece will be loose and easily pulled out) once you get that cover off. May as well get crackin' on it.
Thanks for all the help, thought I would post my fix. Seeing how my motor runs good and is not in need of a rebuild I bypassed the gear selector with a toggle switch! Now I can turn the neutral light on to start it up. If or when my motor has bigger issues I will pull it out and fix this at that time.
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