When you hop on your Honda Rancher 420, remember that even tough ATVs can have problems. You know it’s powerful and reliable, but sometimes it can have issues.

Picture this: you’re all set to go, but your Rancher won’t shift gears, leaving you stuck. Or maybe it just won’t start, and you’re left frustrated.

From problems with fuel injection to a moody fuel pump relay, these are common issues you’ll want to know about.

Stick around, because we’re going to talk about these problems and give you tips to keep your Rancher running smoothly.

7 Honda Rancher 420 Common Problems

1. Electric Shift Problems

Many Honda Rancher 420 owners have had trouble with the electric shift. Sometimes it gets stuck and won’t change gears, especially when it’s cold. The display might show a bar or the gear it’s stuck in, which means there’s a problem.

The issue is usually old, sticky grease on the shift motor gears. This can make it hard for the gears to move and they need to be cleaned. To fix this, you have to take out the shift motor and gears, clean off the old grease, and put on new White Lithium Grease.

To stop this from happening, you can use an ATV cover to protect your Rancher 420 from bad weather. This can help prevent the grease from getting hard and causing problems. It’s a good idea to do this to avoid gear shifting issues and make sure your ATV lasts a long time.

2. Fuel Injection Problems

Dealing with electric shift problems can help your Honda Rancher 420 shift gears better, but you might also have trouble with the fuel injection system. This can make the engine run rough and use more fuel.

When your Rancher doesn’t run smoothly, makes jerky movements, or stops suddenly, it could be the fuel injector causing the problem. The injector can get blocked, especially if you use fuel with ethanol. Check the fuel filter regularly for clogs.

If you think there’s a problem with the fuel injection, check how the injector sprays fuel. It should make a fine mist, not a stream. If it’s a stream, the injector is broken and needs to be replaced. Also, don’t forget to check the fuel pump relay for corrosion or damage, as this can also cause poor fuel delivery.

To avoid these problems, keep your fuel system clean and consider using fuel without ethanol to reduce the chance of clogs. Taking good care of your ATV can save you time and money by avoiding bigger repairs later on.

3. Fuel Pump Relay Problems

The Honda Rancher 420 sometimes has problems with the fuel pump relay, which is important for the ATV to work well. This small part makes sure the fuel pump gets the power it needs. If the relay doesn’t work, the ATV might stall, make loud noises, or not start at all.

If you have issues with the fuel pump relay, first check for any rust or damage. If you don’t hear a clicking sound when you turn the key, it could mean the relay is failing and needs to be replaced.

Also, a clogged fuel filter can make fuel pump problems worse. A blocked filter makes the pump work too hard, which can cause problems for the relay.

It’s important to fix relay problems quickly because they can mess up the fuel pressure in the ATV’s engine, causing it to act strange or not start.

Keep the ATV’s fuel system clean and think about using a circuit tester to find electrical problems. This will help keep the ATV working well and stop fuel problems from ruining your off-road fun.

4. Clogged Air Filter

When the fuel pump relay has issues, it can slow down your Honda Rancher 420. Similarly, if the air filter is clogged, it can also make the engine work less efficiently. This means your ATV won’t have as much power and it will use more fuel.

The engine needs the right mix of air and fuel to work well. A clogged air filter stops enough air from getting in, so the engine gets too much fuel.

This not only makes the engine weaker but also leads to wasted fuel and can make the spark plugs dirty.

It’s really important to check and take care of the air filter regularly. If your Rancher 420 feels slow or uses more fuel than usual, it could be because of a dirty air filter.

If the filter is covered in dirt, you need to clean or replace it, especially if you often ride in dusty or muddy places.

Taking care of the air filter is a simple way to make sure your engine lasts a long time and keeps working well. It’s an easy thing to do that can help you avoid bigger problems later on.

5. Valves Causing Compression Loss

Improperly adjusted valves can make your Honda Rancher 420 engine weaker, affecting its performance. If your ATV is having trouble starting or feels less powerful, it might be because the valves need to be checked.

Over time, valves can get too tight or too loose, which can make it hard for the engine to push air and fuel effectively.

You have to take off the valve cover to get to the valves. It’s really important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you measure and adjust the valve clearances. If you don’t do it right, it could make the problem worse and even damage the engine.

Adjusting the valves is something you have to do regularly to keep the engine in good shape. If you don’t, it could cause more than just performance issues – it could also hurt the engine in the long run.

If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, it’s a good idea to have a professional mechanic do it.

Taking care of your Rancher 420, including adjusting the valves, will help it run well and last a long time.

Don’t wait until you have problems – taking care of it ahead of time is the best way to avoid compression loss and other issues.

6, Overheating

When you use your Honda Rancher 420 in tough conditions, it can get too hot if the cooling system isn’t working well.

The ATV can handle rough terrain, but really hot weather, long use, or heavy loads can make the engine too hot.

If you see the temperature gauge going up or feel like the ATV is losing power, you need to fix the problem right away to avoid damaging the engine.

A few things can cause overheating. Sometimes air gets stuck in the coolant system, which stops the coolant from moving around and makes the engine hot. You have to release the trapped air to make sure the coolant can flow properly.

Also, if the temperature sensor isn’t working right, the fan mightn’t turn on when it’s supposed to, which can make the problem worse. Some people choose to control the fan manually to reduce the risk of overheating.

7. Starting Issues

If your Honda Rancher 420 is having trouble starting, it could be because of a few different things. A dead battery or a bad starter are common reasons for starting issues. If the battery doesn’t have enough power, the ATV won’t start. And if the starter is broken, it won’t be able to turn the engine over.

But it’s also important to check the fuel system. A clogged fuel filter can stop gas from getting to the engine, making it hard to start. And a dirty carburetor can also cause problems by not mixing the fuel and air properly.

To fix the starting issues, you should check the battery to make sure it’s charged. Then, see if the starter is working properly.

Don’t forget to check the fuel filter and carburetor to make sure they’re clean and not blocked. Taking care of these things can often solve the starting problems and get your Rancher 420 running smoothly again.

Wrapping Up

Now you know about the common issues with your Rancher 420, like problems with shifting and fuel injection.

Keep an eye on your air filter, valves, and fuel pump relay to stay ahead.

And don’t forget to watch out for overheating – it’s a big no-no!

If you’re having trouble starting, check the battery, starter, and fuel system.

With this knowledge, you’re ready to take on the trails and make sure your ATV keeps running smoothly.

So go ahead and ride on, knowing you’re prepared for whatever comes your way!