Honda Foreman 500 Gear Indicator Blinking? Causes and Fixes
Last updated on October 17th, 2026 at 06:51 am
A blinking gear position indicator on a Honda Foreman 500 with ESP means the shift system has found a fault and is reporting it as a code. Count the blinks: long blinks count as 10 and short blinks as 1, and the total is the main trouble code.
Honda's ESP service information says the long blink lasts 1.3 seconds and the short blink 0.3 seconds. Honda's code list ties ESP faults to sensors, switches, connectors and the shift motor circuit, so start with the cheap checks below.
How to read the blink code
Current codes need no tools. Stored codes need Honda's SCS service connector or a diagnostic tester.
- Turn the ignition ON with the engine stop switch in the "O" (off) position.
- Watch the gear position indicator and write down the blinks. The count is the current code.
- Look the code up in the table below.
- For a stored code, remove the seat and unplug the DLC from its dummy connector, short the DLC terminals with the SCS service connector (part 070PZ-ZY30100, brown/red to green), then turn the ignition ON and count again.
This procedure is from Honda's DTC readout page. The same page warns: if the MIL (engine) light blinks, troubleshoot the PGM-FI system first, then recheck ESP.
Foreman 500 ESP codes (2012 and newer)
| Main code | What it means | Honda's listed symptom | First check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (8-1, 8-2) | Throttle position sensor, low or high voltage | Poor acceleration; ESP does not work | TP sensor connector, then sensor and wiring |
| 11 (11-1) | Vehicle speed sensor, no signal | Engine runs normally; ESP does not work | Rear speed sensor connector, sensor, wiring |
| 21 (21-1, 21-2) | Shift angle sensor, low or high voltage | ESP does not work | Angle sensor connector, sensor, wiring |
| 22 (22-1, 22-2) | Shift angle sensor response: control motor lock or stuck | ESP does not work | Control motor and circuit; angle sensor |
| 23 (23-1) | Shift angle sensor voltage variation | ESP does not work | Angle sensor installation; sensor; motor |
| 24 (24-1) | Shift control motor drive circuit | ESP does not work | Control motor and its circuit |
| 32 (32-1) | Fail-safe relay circuit | ESP does not work | Relay circuit tests in the manual |
| 33 (33-2) | EEPROM (memory) fault | ESP does not work (page text unclear) | Manual procedure before any parts |
| 41 (41-1, 41-2) | Gear position switch circuit, short or open | Indicator blinks a dash; ESP does not work | Gear position switch connector and wiring |
| 42 (42-1) | Gearshift UP/DOWN switch circuit | ESP does not work | Handlebar switch, connector, wiring |
Look up your code with the tool below. It reads the same table, one code at a time.
What does my blink count mean?
A dash that blinks continuously with no code shown, while the MIL and coolant temperature lights are off, points to the serial communication line. Honda's table sends you to a separate serial line test for that case.
Check these first: battery, connectors, ground
The shift motor draws a lot of current, and several codes can trace back to weak power. Charge and test the battery, clean and tighten both terminals, and check the main ground.
Honda's EPS procedures call for a fully charged battery before erasing codes, and say a low battery makes the process abort. That makes a good charge your first step on any fault.
Then unplug and inspect the connector named in the table. Look for water, green corrosion or bent pins, clean with electrical contact cleaner, and reconnect firmly.
If the power steering light blinks instead
Models with electric power steering (EPS) have a separate indicator. It uses the same blink timing, 1.3 seconds long and 0.3 seconds short, and shows only the main code. The manual's EPS DTC index lists codes such as 11-01 and 11-02 (vehicle speed signals), 13 through 18 (EPS control unit internal circuits), 22-01 (torque sensor initialization), 23-01 and 23-02 (torque sensor), 24-01 (engine speed signal), 31-01 (IG1 voltage) and 32-01 (VBU voltage).
The ones for the control unit's internal circuits list steering assist as disabled. We could not read every fail-safe entry cleanly, so confirm in your service manual before you replace the control unit.
The EPS erase procedure also needs a fully charged battery. Honda has you raise the front wheels, short the DLC with the SCS connector and place a 6 mm screwdriver at the steering stopper, so it is a job for someone comfortable with the manual.
How to clear the ESP codes
Fix the cause first, then erase. Honda's erase page gives this no-tool method. It also warns that erasing ESP codes erases the PGM-FI codes too.
- Remove the DLC from its dummy connector.
- Short the DLC terminals with the SCS service connector (brown/red to green).
- Turn the ignition ON with the engine stop switch off.
- Remove the SCS connector. The indicator lights for about 5 seconds.
- While it is lit, short the DLC terminals again. The memory is erased when the indicator goes off and starts blinking.
If you turn the ignition off before the indicator starts blinking, the memory is not erased. After erasing, test-ride and recheck for the code.
Older machines (2005 to 2011)
The simple blink-count lists you may see online, such as a 1 to 12 list, do not match Honda's table above, which is built for the 2012-and-newer PGM-FI ESP machines.
WulfMoto lists a separate 2005-2011 ESP set numbered 1 through 13 (WulfMoto), but it gives no Honda source and we could not open Honda's table for those years. Confirm your code in the service manual for your exact model year before buying parts.
Is it safe to ride with the indicator blinking?
Every ESP code in Honda's table lists that ESP does not work, so expect the quad not to change gears electrically. Do not take it onto steep or technical terrain, where being stuck in the wrong gear can be dangerous.
Ride only as far as you need to, cycle the ignition off and on once to see whether the fault returns, and fix it before the next trail day.
For more Honda guides, see our Rincon 680 problems and Pioneer 700 problems guides, and our list of the most reliable 4x4 ATVs. Our off-road calculators cover tire size and gearing.
FAQ
Why is my Honda Foreman 500 gear indicator blinking?
The ESP system has stored or detected a fault and is blinking a code. Count long blinks as 10 and short blinks as 1, then use the table above.
What does a dash on the gear indicator mean?
In Honda's table, a blinking dash goes with the gear position switch codes (41-1, 41-2). Check that circuit first.
How do I clear the code?
Fix the cause, then use the DLC erase method above. Erasing ESP codes also erases PGM-FI codes, so read the engine codes first.
Sources
- Honda TRX500FM service manual: ESP troubleshooting information
- Honda TRX500FM service manual: DTC readout
- Honda TRX500FM service manual: erase DTC
- Honda TRX500FM service manual: ESP DTC index
- Honda TRX500FM service manual: EPS DTC index
- WulfMoto: Honda Foreman 500 codes (cross-check)
I'm Suryashankar Dasgupta, the founder of Off-Road Handbook. I've been off-roading for years in the USA, including California and Texas, and have ridden mountain and desert terrain abroad. I've also driven a Jeep Compass for more than seven years, so I know the day-to-day side of Jeep ownership first-hand, from the Uconnect screen to the warning lights. Every guide here is researched from manufacturer owner's manuals, NHTSA recall and service-bulletin records and other trusted sources, checked against them before it is published, and corrected when we find a mistake. You can read how we work in our editorial policy: https://offroadhandbook.com/editorial-policy/
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