honda Honda 2013 420 reverse problem

[Keith Proudman]

My 2013 Honda 420 occasionally won't go into reverse. I don't think it is in the transmission as it does not make a click or noise. I think it is in the lockout. Someone told me when I ride near the ocean the salt can get on something. Any ideas?

[Frank Angerano]

I don’t think it’s the ocean. How does that bike go into reverse ? Is the reverse procedure done by squeezing the left brake handle while pressing the R button and shifter down ?

 

It’s most likely in the contact device that allows it to engage. Maybe a bad switch ?  

What model bike ? 

[Keith Proudman]

Yes and then bush the down shift button. It is a semi automatic. Sometimes it works great and other times there is nothing no noise of a solenoid trying to work.

[Frank Angerano]

You may have to get access to the two wires on that shift button and put a tester on it to see if it works.   Or replace it if in doubt.   

If it’s an intermittent problem it’s prob something relatively minor.  I would start to go through the system from top to bottom starting at that shift button down. Could be broken or damaged or loose plugs on the wiring.  

Make sure all fluids are up to operating level so that no safety switches are locking it out from time to time. 

And look for any damage that might have happened like something hitting a wire or cable? 

Is this a rancher ? What kind of bike ? 

 

[Ahren Longo]

It could also be a solenoid. All kinds of solenoids go bad all the time. I would be suspect of corrosion first if it goes anywhere near salt H2O that effects a lot more that you think and it will dissolve connections faster than you can shake a stick at it!!  Has it ever been wet w/ salt H2O? If it has did you wash it down ASAP? It that's not your issue, you can fix it relatively easy with a multimeter. Get a wiring diagram and then find the connector for your suspected switches, hook up the meter between the 2 pins for the switch you want to check, press the button. If your meter reads 0hms when you press the button its good, anything else and 'd start with that. Start the bike and leave it running (you can only shift into reverse if its running) if you can access the reverse solenoid connector disconnect it and connect your multimeter to the leads(have the meter in 0-24vdc mode) activate reverse, you should have 12-14vdc at the connector. If you do, your solenoid is bad. If not work your way backwards through the wiring diagram till you find the problem.

[teelee1]

At the bottom of the engine in the rear where the Reverse cable goes down to  there is a lever attached to that cable. Put it reverse and see if that cable is moving the lever far enough. If not you can adjust it from the top left section of the cable with the threaded part of the cable.

[Shonko72]

If I'm not mistaken that unit the reverse cable can be adjusted. if you pull back the rubber on the perch there should be an adjustment on the cable. 

[silverfox]

Yes check that cable first