Rancher AT - Won't Shift Out of First Gear

I was reading your posts earlier. Was hoping I could follow you to an answer!

I put the gear shift in to "D" ; I get "- -" & it stays in first gear. I've got "N" & I got "R". In the owners manual it mentions "- -" but it talks about a blinking "- -". Mine doesn't blink.

It didn't happen suddenly. The first time, I got "- -" I took off in first gear & got the RPM's up & it shifted in to second & the dash display went to "D". It was good after that until I shut it off.
The second time it took longer. The display read "- -" & I had to get it warmed up & dam near red lined it & then it went into second gear & the display went to "D". It was good after that too!
Now it just stays "- -" & in first gear.

I'm old school. Give me a 69 Dodge Charger & I'll make it sing; I haven't caught up with this electronic & hydrostatic BS yet!

Sounds like we got the same bug!
Ol'Roy

Thanks Saber6.
When you say ECU (Electronic Control Unit??) is that interchangeable with PCM (Power Control Module)? If they are the same unit; no I do not have moisture at the plug connections.

The Service Manual says "11 blinks - replace PCM"; my dealer will let me have a new PCM for only $195! Can my Honda dealer check my old PCM & verify that it has failed before I get stuck with an electronic part I might not need?

Any way I can test it myself?

Bear with me; grew up working on Jeeps, Chevy 4x4's & Mopars; this is the first time I've needed to tear in to an ATV!

Thanks
Ol'Roy

I'm in the north east corner of Maryland; you may have heard my profanity from where you are at!!

Replacing the PCM (That's the politically correct term my Honda service manual refers to it as so I'm going to stay with it so I don't get anymore confused than I already am) did not solve the problem.

I will gladly sell &/or rent you a brand new, out of the box PCM, that I paid $195 for, at a very discounted price hoping that you don't experience the same level of frustration!

Everything I'm reading in the SM & on line seems to start the troubleshooting process from a blinking "- -". My "- -" does not blink & it only occurs when I am in what should be "D".

I am now thinking that I have a "drive position switch" problem OR I have rodent damage that's causing a short. The ATV was parked for about a week in an open barn in an area that is frequented by rodents (Porcupines, Chipmunks, Mice & a neighbor that has a history of making things "look like an accident").

After installing the new PCM, I was going through the reset process & on one occasion; as I was moving the gear shift from "N " to "D"; the "- -" disappeared for about a split second & I got a true read out on my display.

I'm thinking I got a loose connection, something in the harness shorting out &/or a faulty swith/sensor/component. That really narrows it down.

I have a full inspection planned for this weekend.

Maybe we can open up a "used but not faulty & not returnable parts exchange?? Got a used drive position switch that you replaced & it didn't turn out to be the problem?

I seem to have the classic "dog chasing tail syndrome" which usually results in many false diagnosis's, a lot of time and money spent chasing false hopes & one badly damaged liver.

But that IS the life of the guy that's too freakin proud (or poor) to take it to "the shop" for repairs!

Ol'Roy