[Dowdingcurt]

Anybody know what causes the Reverse light and the Neutral light to be on at the same time? Its a 2000 rancher 350 fe just got the machine it sat for 2 years blown engine I rebuilt the top end had the engine fire a couple times and die then the 2 lights came up same time. Anybody know what causes this to happen? I think it could be the reverse/ neutral switch.

 

[Goober]

Hi you can download the service manual in my sig block.

So we can assume it’s not in reverse. Does the display indicate a gear?

Check to see if the switch wiring is grounded out.

 

[Dowdingcurt]

reverse and nuetral light

The dash says no gear its has 3 dots in its place. before I ripped into this build I did check to see if would shift thru all the gears and it did nicely. today was the first day i tried to start it after boring out the cylinder had it running twice. I tried the manual shifter it seemed to shift but hard and now I hear nothing from the shifting motor

 

[Carolynskii]

^^^ what uncle Goob said.
There's a diode at the back of the engine near the reverse cable. Check it for good connection and put dielectric grease but also see if there's a bear wire on that run somewhere touching something.

 

[Carolynskii]

Also check your fuses sometimes that causes wacky things to happen.

 

[Dowdingcurt]

reverse and nuetral light

Thanks for the advice and I did download the Honda service manual which is very cool I bought a Clymer manual but its not as good. I had checked that reverse switch and thought it could be the problem. I'll be checking it all tomorrow. I must say I still love my 92 TRX fourtrax 300 must have over 40 thousand miles on it runs great had to replace rear axle bearing and swing arm bearing 2 years ago thanks again from the Iron Range northern MN

 

[Carolynskii]

hmm I really thought you'd find something there on that reverse wire. Plan B check the fuses!
If sitting for 2 years the carb is definitely gonna need a good cleaning. Be sure to start a new thread on that if you need help with it. You're among other honda addicts ..i mean lovers now and they're here to help lol

 

[retro]

The FE has a gear position switch inside the rear cover. With the motor not running and the ignition switch turned on (fully charged battery), manually shift up and down (rock the bike back and forth as you shift it) through the gears using the shift wrench. The display should indicate each gear position and the neutral light should come on when you shift back down to neutral. To get to reverse gear you must pull the reverse lever to release the reverse lockout. If the display shows "--" rather each gear position, turn the ignition switch off then back on. If it still fails to indicate each gear position that means the ECU is shutting down the ES shift program due to a bad connection or a major failure of a system component.

Check the reverse switch as Carolynskii recommended first. That plug commonly loosens and gets pulled apart by sticks and other junk on the trails.

Let us know what you find before buying any parts. They generally don't need $$$ thrown at them, just time and care.

 

[Dowdingcurt]

when I put the rear crankcase cover on I noticed the wires were in bad shape i tried to retape them. I will check the reverse switch first before i take off the rear cover for the shift position switch. Sure is a little odd that when I went for the initial start after top end rebuild it did show it was in neutral I had it running twice and then both lights reversr and neutral lights came on

 

[Goober]

clean and inspect the cable assembly for any torn insulation crushed or broken strands. Sometimes you can slip a piece of heat shrink tubing over it and replace the bullet connector.

If in bad shape consider replacing that cable assembly. There are four types of TRX350 for that year so you will need to use the Parts link in my sig block. Find your model and scroll to find the electrical cable subassembly

 

[Carolynskii]

Don't forget to check/test those fuses too before you take anything apart.

 

[Jeepwm69]

Check the wires first.

Just a guess, but the early 350 Ranchers tended to have the back of the shift drum break off, which is what spins the gear position switch.

I have a 2000 350 here that belongs to my wife's uncle. It did that in reverse, so the gear position switch is sitting on reverse. The previous owner grounded the neutral wire so it would start in any gear. Thus both neutral and reverse lights are on all the time.

Check your wiring first. If the neutral wire was grounded by the prior owner I'll bet you have the same issue.

 

[Dowdingcurt]

I found blown fuse its a 10 amp in the ignition circuit I replaced it and the reverse light on the dash shut off able to shift and after checking several connections and switches. checked alternator good, rectifier regulator good, reverse switch and gear positioner switch good, carb heater good figured time to hear it run and blow a fuse well it ran the whole day off and on started it 5 to 6 times. On Mon. it started and Tues. Wed it blew a fuse has me stumped had it running again Friday night not sure what i did but Sat morn blew the 10 amp fuse again in the ignition circuit. I then found bad starter Diode will that cause my problem? but why would it run several starts in a row I let it get to operating temp rev it good things like that. Sat morning it ran approx. for 10+ seconds until the fuse blew any advice would be helpful next i'm going to check all connectors under the front fender and I will order a new diode. Anybody know where I can get one cheaper Partzilla wants $7.41 and $7.95 to ship the little thing. It seems to me that diode being replaced will not cure the problem does anybody know for sure that's what is causing my fuse to blow.


Thanks Curt

 

[ktriebol]

The starter diode comes into play more when the starter turns off so that a voltage spike from the starter doesn't damage system electronics. In your case, the fuse seems to be blowing after the machine has been running for a while, so the starter diode doesn't seem to be your issue. However, if you have tested the diode and determined that it is shorted, I would definitely replace it anyway.

Based on your symptoms, I would think your issue is high voltage due to a malfunctioning r/r. I suggest performing charging system testing as per the service manual.

 

[shadetree]

any chance you installed the rear cover back on, with the neutral/reverse switch turned 180 degrees out ?. the switch inside the cover has a tang on it, if your looking down at the tang, you will notice one side of the tang is longer than the other side ?, this long side points to the letter N stamped on top of the switch .

 

[Dowdingcurt]

Very helpful advice. I had already tested the Regulator/Rectifier it checked out good going to re test it along with another charging system leak test or whatever its called. that tested ok to 1st time I hope when i do it again I can track down whts shorting by disconnecting connectors until the current reading goes back within parameters. but so far everything i have tested comes back ok. I hope I find the problem soon.

Curt

 

[Dowdingcurt]

i remember that long side having to point a certain way when i put the r crankcase cover back on i double checked it and after checking things out I'm convinced that electric shift works the way it should

 

[Dowdingcurt]

I installed a brand new carb and when the thing decides to run It really purs like a kitten only adjustment to the new carb was i turned down the idle slightly

 

[shadetree]

check all your headlight bulbs !. if they get dirty, this can cause a short in the system.

 

[Jackmorse]

Anybody know what causes the Reverse light and the Neutral light to be on at the same time? Its a 2000 rancher 350 fe just got the machine it sat for 2 years blown engine I rebuilt the top end had the engine fire a couple times and die then the 2 lights came up same time. Anybody know what causes this to happen? I think it could be the reverse/ neutral switch.

Mine has too i have no idea why i put two new cdi boxes in and it just shows it