Honda ES Blink Codes: Electric Shift Code List by Model

Which Code List Does Your ATV Use?

Model	Years	Code type
Foreman 450 ES (TRX450FE)	2002–2004	Flash codes 1–12 (1998–2001 has no code readout)
Rancher 350 ES (TRX350FE/TE)	2003–2006	Flash codes 1–12 (2000–2002 has no code readout)
Recon 250 ES (TRX250TE)	2005–2011	Flash codes 1–12 (2002–2004 and 2012–2019: check the service manual for your year)
Foreman 500 ES (TRX500FE)	2005–2011	Flash codes 1–13
Foreman 500 ES (TRX500FE)	2012 and newer	Two-part codes (21-1, 22-1…)
Rancher 420 ES (TRX420FE/TE)	2007 and newer	Two-part codes (21-1, 22-1…)

How to Read, Erase and Reset Codes (Honda Service Manual Procedures)

The button steps are not the same on every model. Use the steps for your model below. The 2012 and newer Foreman 500 and the Rancher 420 use a service connector instead of the buttons (see below).

Foreman 500 (2005–2011) and Rancher 350 (2003–2006)

From the Honda TRX500FE and TRX350TE/FE service manuals. Erasing the stored codes clears the ECM (shift computer) memory.

Check battery voltage first (Honda lists 12.4V minimum) and check for blown fuses.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Put the transmission in neutral.
Apply the parking brake so the ATV does not move.
Push and hold both the upshift and downshift buttons.
While holding both buttons, turn the ignition switch ON.
Before the letter “N” appears on the gear position indicator (in about 2 seconds), release both buttons, then push them again for more than 3 seconds. The “N” starts blinking the problem code. If you don’t release and re-push within 2 seconds, the code will not appear. Turn the key off and start over.
To erase the codes (reset the ECM): while the “N” is blinking the code with the transmission in neutral, push both the upshift and downshift buttons.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.

Foreman 450 (2002–2004) and Recon 250 ES (2005–2011)

From the Honda TRX450 and TRX250TE service manuals. Erasing the stored codes clears the ECM (shift computer) memory.

Check battery voltage first (Honda lists 12.4V minimum) and check for blown fuses.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Put the transmission in neutral.
Apply the parking brake so the ATV does not move.
Push and hold both the upshift and downshift buttons.
While holding both buttons, turn the ignition switch ON. Make sure the neutral indicator comes on to show the transmission is in neutral.
Wait 5 seconds, then push both buttons again and hold them for at least 3 seconds. The indicator (“N” on the Foreman 450, the “1st” gear light on the Recon) starts blinking the problem code.
To erase the codes (reset the ECM): while the code is blinking with the transmission in neutral, push both the upshift and downshift buttons.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.

How to Count the Flashes (Foreman 450, Rancher 350, Recon 2005–2011, Foreman 500 2005–2011)

On these models every blink is a quick flash (about ¼ second). There are no long blinks. Count the quick blinks in each group. That number is the code: 3 blinks is code 3, 12 blinks is code 12, 13 blinks is code 13 (Foreman 500 only). A 1-second pause comes before each code. The latest problem code shows first, then the older one, then a 2-second pause before the pattern repeats. Long and short blinks are only used on the 2012 and newer fuel-injected models (see below).

Flash Codes 1–13 (Foreman 450 2002–2004, Rancher 350 2003–2006, Recon 250 2005–2011, Foreman 500 2005–2011)

Count the flashes (how to count). Code 13 applies to the 2005–2011 Foreman 500 only.

Flashes	System	Check first
1	ECU writing / recording circuit	ECU
2	Shift switch system (up/down)	Left handlebar shift buttons, wiring, or ECU
3	Angle sensor system	Angle sensor (or incorrectly installed), wiring, or ECU
4	Gear position switch system	Gear position switch, wiring, or ECU
5	ECU motor driver circuit	ECU, or the wiring to the shift motor
6	ECU fail-safe relay circuit	ECU
7	ECU voltage conversion circuit	ECU
8	Angle sensor system	Angle sensor, shift motor, wiring, or ECU
9	Angle sensor system (short or open)	Angle sensor, wiring, or ECU
10	Ignition pulse generator system	Pulse generator or wiring
11	Vehicle speed sensor system	Speed sensor, wiring, or ECU
12	Gear position switch system	Gear position switch, wiring, or ECU
13	Throttle position (TP) sensor system	TP sensor or its wiring

Two-Part Codes (Rancher 420 2007+, Foreman 500 2012+)

Code	Blinks shown	Electric shift fault (Honda manual)
8-1 / 8-2	8	Throttle position (TP) sensor circuit low / high voltage
11-1	11	Rear vehicle speed sensor, no signal
21-1 / 21-2	21	Shift angle sensor circuit low / high voltage
22-1	22	Shift angle sensor response (control motor lock)
22-2	22	Shift angle sensor response (control motor stuck)
23-1	23	Shift angle sensor response (voltage variation)
24-1	24	Shift control motor drive circuit
32-1	32	Fail-safe relay circuit
33-2	none	EEPROM malfunction (not shown by blinking)
41-1 / 41-2	41	Gear position switch circuit short / open
42-1	42	Gearshift (up/down) switch circuit short

Reading and Erasing Two-Part Codes: 2012 and Newer Foreman 500 and Rancher 420

Procedure from the Honda 2012 and newer TRX500FE/FM service manual. The Rancher 420 uses the same SCS service connector method.

The 2012 and newer fuel-injected Foreman 500 uses a different procedure. The handlebar button method does not apply. The gear position indicator shows a dash (“–”) that blinks the code.

Counting: a long blink (about 1.3 seconds) counts as 10 and a short blink (about 0.3 seconds) counts as 1. Two long blinks followed by three short blinks is code 23. The display only shows the first number of the code, so 21-1 and 21-2 both blink as 21. If more than one code is stored, they show from the lowest number to the highest.

Current problem: turn the ignition switch ON with the engine stop switch on RUN. If the dash is blinking, count it. That is the current code.

Stored codes:

Remove the seat. Remove the DLC (data link connector) from its dummy connector.
Short the DLC terminals (Brown/red to Green) with the Honda SCS service connector, part number 070PZ-ZY30100.
Turn the ignition switch ON with the engine stop switch on RUN, and count the blinks.

Erasing the codes (reset):

With the DLC shorted by the SCS service connector, turn the ignition switch ON with the engine stop switch on RUN.
Remove the SCS service connector from the DLC.
The indicator lights for about 5 seconds. While it is lit, short the DLC terminals again with the SCS service connector.
The memory is erased when the indicator goes off and starts blinking. If you turn the key off before it starts blinking, the codes are not erased.

Erasing the electric shift codes this way also erases the fuel-injection (PGM-FI) codes. If the engine MIL is blinking, read and fix the fuel-injection code first.

What a Code Does and Doesn't Tell You

A code points to a circuit, not a guaranteed bad part. Most of the time it is a wiring problem: a stick pulled a connector loose, or water got into a plug. Check battery voltage (12.4V minimum per the Honda manual), then the connectors and wiring for that circuit, before you buy parts. Turning the key OFF and back ON also resets the ES system, but if the ECM still sees the fault it shuts the electric shift down again and blinks the code. Disconnecting the battery for a while can sometimes reset it too.

There is no way to reset the angle sensor itself on any Honda ES model. If the angle sensor circuit keeps throwing codes after you have checked the battery and wiring, the choice is a new sensor that faces the same mud and water, or a bypass kit that takes the angle sensor and shift computer out of the shift circuit. The bypass still needs a good battery, a working shift motor, and working left handlebar up and down shift buttons.

Model-by-Model Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a flashing gear indicator mean on a Honda ATV?

It means the electric shift computer has detected a fault and stored a code. Count the flashes (or read the dash code on newer models) and match it to the code list for your model. The code points to a circuit, such as the angle sensor, shift buttons or gear position switch, not necessarily a bad part.

How do I read and clear Honda ES codes?

It depends on the model. Key off, neutral, parking brake on, then hold both shift buttons and turn the key on. On the Foreman 500 (2005-2011) and Rancher 350 (2003-2006), release both buttons before N appears (within about 2 seconds), then push them again for more than 3 seconds. On the Foreman 450 (2002-2004) and Recon (2005-2011), wait for neutral to show, wait 5 seconds, then hold both buttons at least 3 seconds. Push both buttons while the code is blinking to erase it. The 2012 and newer Foreman 500 and the Rancher 420 use the Honda SCS service connector on the DLC instead of the buttons.

Can I reset the Honda angle sensor?

No. There is no way to reset the angle sensor on any Honda ES model. You can reset the shift computer: on the button-method models, holding both shift buttons while turning the key on and following the erase steps clears the stored codes from the ECM. On the 2012 and newer Foreman 500 and the Rancher 420 the codes are erased with the SCS service connector. Disconnecting the battery for a while can sometimes reset it too.

Does a blink code mean the part is bad?

Not necessarily. Most of the time a code is caused by wiring: a loose connector or water in a plug. Check the battery, then the connectors and wiring for that circuit, before replacing parts.