Sorry for the long post.
I purchase the 2003 Rancher from my neighbor, it had the shifting problem and he no longer wanted it. he had already replaced the angle sensor and the shift motor.
I test rode the machine using the emergency shift lever. It shifted into all gears, and the display correctly showed the what gear the trans was in.
I am in the process of diagnosing the problem. First it has a fault code of 3 on the display. I used the service manual flow chart, and started testing at the ECM connector. I had an open connection at the connector Black/Red and the Blue/Green wires. Manual calls from 4-6 k ohms.
Pull the connector off the angle sensor. Wire check good between the connectors. Found that the new angle sensor was open at all the terminals.
I had the original sensor the neighbor had changed and checked it. It had the correct ohm readings, but it would swing wildly on the analog meter while you turned it. Plugged the old sensor in to test the wires, and got the correct ohm reading at the ECM plug.
Went to the local Honda dealer this morning. Asked for a new angle sensor. I took my meter to check it before I left the store. He said I could test it, and when I did, it checked open just like the first replacement sensor.
They had a mechanic come out, and he could not get it to read on his meter either. They had 3 of them in stock, and they all checked open. The sensor shaft will turn 360 degrees on the questionable sensors. But on the original sensor it only rotates about 180 degrees before it hits a stop.
So, I have to wait until Tuesday to get some information. The parts manager is calling the factory to see what is going on. Once I get a good sensor, I will dissect the bad one to see what is wrong inside.
I don’t really need any questions answered yet, because I can’t do further testing without a good angle sensor. I just wanted to give you guys a heads up about a possible angle switch problem.
