Honda 400 ESP/Auto shifting problem

[Mikey]

I have a Honda TRX 400 FGA with both ESP and Auto. It seems to get stuck in a gear and won't get out, then won't shift, and if you go to reverse it acts like it's in high gear with no power. Do the hondamatic transmission have oil in them? If you turn it off and back on a few times it seems to stop doing it and then it work great for a bit. I also noticed tonight everything around the engine seems to be a lot hotter than usual it smelt a bit funny too when parked back in the garage. Any suggestions before I call honda?

[Garryese]

Is your gear indicator flashing? If so, how many fast flashes between the long one(s)?

Honda transmissions share oil with the engine.

[outlanderjoe]

have u tried set up your clutch there is adjustment a front of engine

[plumbum]

with the hondamatic there is no gears to stick and yes it uses oil, shares it with the motor. for the esp option it basically uses a pressure limiter to feel like gears. with the hotter feel. i would be looking at the oil color etc... might be worth it to just change the oil and filter and check for shaving etc... as well. check your oil cooler rad. it may look clean but be very dirty. can you see light through it. is the metal shiney or dull. now when it acts up does it make sputtering awful sounds. there wouldnt be a flashing code, but it is very obvious. this is the safe or limp mode. mine was going into safe mode every now and again. di electric greased the connectors and the safe mode hasnt happened since. anyway there are lots of things that can cuase what you have described but i would defintely not ride it until somebody looks at it or you figure it out.those honda matics are extremely expensive to replace and typically when they go they take the motor with them and vice versa.

[outlanderjoe]

also check your battery ,my bother had problems like that

[Mikey]

Thanks for all the advice so far, my meter was part of the problem and I finally got that repaired wishing that might solve the other problem as well. No Luck!.... it's still doing the samething as before but at least now I can read the codes, I thought I counted four the first time but now I am counting five for sure. does anybody know what each number of flashed stand for?

[Garryese]

Three and Five is most often an angle sensor; the weak link in the whole system. If the angle sensor and wiring check out okay, then most likely a ECM fault.

Here are all the codes:

1 flash, euc (writing and recording circuit) , probable faulty part ECU

2 flashes ES shift switch system (up and down) probable faulty part, shift switch, related wiring harness, or ECU

3 flashes,angle sensor system, probable faulty part, angle sensor, or incorrectly installed,related wiring, or ECU

4 flashes,gear position switch system, probable faulty part,gear position switch or related wiring or ECU

5 flashes,ECU motor driver circuit, probable faulty part,ECU

6 flashes, ECU fail safe relay circuit, probable faulty part,ECU

7 flashes, ECU voltage convent system, probable faulty part, ECU

8 flashes, angle sensor system, probable faulty part,angle sensor, or control motor, or related wiring, or ECU

9 flashes, angle sensor system, probable faulty part,angle sensor(short or open), or related wiring , or ECU

10 flashes, ignition pulse generator system, probable faulty part, ignition pulse generator or related wiring

11 flashes,speed sensor system(vehicle speed), probable faulty part speed sensor or related wiring or ECU

12 flashes, gear position switch system, probable faulty partgear position switch or related wiring, or ECU

[Mikey]

Thanks for the answers, I noticed again last night that it works fine when I am running in the ESP mode but it starts acting up when I either shift to reverse or switch to Auto..... you think I should start with the angle sensor. I believe I know which one that is, it should be a fairly easy fix if I can remove it with out wrecking the wiring. Is it the one on the left side of the transmission?

[Garryese]

Start with the angle sensor...it's almost always the angle sensor.

Yes, left side.

[Murminator]

Steveo's Honda did the same thing just don't shut it off in gear, when he stopped doing that all was fine

[Hondarider75]

I actually have the same problem with my rancher at. I have all the problems you have described but mine will not shit in esp or go into auto at all. I have a buddy that has had the same problem, he said to take the angle sensor out clean it and reset the instrument pannel. How to reset the instrument pannel is in the users manuel.

[Mr Mouse]

Hi
I have an 04 Honda fourtrax 400, When the bike had 1500 KM on it i started having the same trouble seemed to get stuck in high gear, I took it to the dealer and a month later they replaced something in the clutch and wanted to charge me $700.00. I called Honda canada and they ended up paying for it. How at 4000 KM it is starting to do the same thing as well when it goes below deg C It will take 10 to 20 min before i can get it to go into gear. All this talk about sencors sounds like a place for me to start. Any other ideas?
Thanks