It's a 2004 TRX400FA (Rancher 400 AT). Having the Hondamatic probably makes it more sensitive than others.What year and model ATV do you have? Just curious
The 2016 doesn't have the Hondamatic thoughI run Valvoline ATV 10W-40 and it works just fine. My clutches absolutely don't slip. Not recommending it, and not not-recommending it, or whatever, just sayin' that it works fine in the 2016 Rancher AT.
I agree. It's probably the combination of oil and Hondamatic transmission. I'll revise my initial post.I've used it in several manual clutch sport quads over the years, and my ATC 110 and it works fine. Like you say must just be something with the Hondamatic. With it's reputation of being finicky it's probably best to stick with Honda oil.
Rob
I have some coming. Be here tomorrow. I'll update the thread after I change it out and go play on it a while.Hopefully when you switch back it returns to normal. Do let us know how it turns out....Changed the oil before the ride today, and I think it lets the clutches slip too much. First time it's ever had trouble on hills and pulling up rocks. Going back to Honda oil.
I didn't realize these 400ATs had such a bad rap until reading this board the last few days. Makes me worried about mine.Rustler, I'm one of the few remaining regulars with the 400AT. Been running Rotella T6 now since I put a new clutch in 3 years back. I also mix in at 5% Lucas Heavy Duty Synthetic oil stabilizer. I picked that idea up from Melsman a while back. The added zinc helps cushion the pistons on the swash plate. Last thing I did was make my fan controlled by manual switch, so I can run it as soon as engine gets warm. These 400AT's run the oil really hot and without the fan running they can get too hot way too easily, which is how I smoked my original clutch, fan didn't turn on cause the oil temp sensor stopped working.It's a 2004 TRX400FA (Rancher 400 AT). Having the Hondamatic probably makes it more sensitive than others.What year and model ATV do you have? Just curious
This thing has always been like having cheat mode on hills. Climbs anything. But not yesterday. I got stuck on a rocks going up a hill a few times. It wasn't fun.
I'm assuming it's the oil because I changed it Saturday and it was fine before that.
EDIT: There were a couple years where I ran the Valvoline oil. I don't remember it ever being any different than any other kind, because I think for quite a few years my auto tranny wouldn't shift properly because of a slightly slipping clutch. But when the clutch really went out was when the oil temp sensor stopped turning the fan on. To be safe, I would just run Honda oil or Rotella T6. Ever since my new clutch and running good oil, I've had zero issues whatsoever with the autoshifting.
Not sure on the ECM, but if everything else is working well I wouldn't touch the ECM. Sounds to me like a bad oil temp sensor like mine. If the sensor is bad you won't get the fan to come on on its own, and the oil temp warning light will also never come on at extreme hot.I didn't realize these 400ATs had such a bad rap until reading this board the last few days. Makes me worried about mine.
How hard was the clutch swap?
Funny you mention the oil temp not working. Mine stopped working a couple years ago so I rigged up a switch to turn it on manually myself.
I did the diagnosis on it last weekend by jumpering a couple of the terminals on the 34P ECM plug. The light came on so according to the manual I have a bad ECM?
I'm able to be the technical advisor to my brothers on most things, but getting them to tackle the centrifugal clutch was not something I succeeded in convincing them of trying. So I had a reputable dealer do it. Based on what I saw in the service manual, I'd say it's a one day job or less if you're a good wrencher.
