1988 Suzuki LT 250 S quadrunner wont start.

[mark7170]

Hey folks, brand newbie here.  I just bought a pair of near identical quads, the difference is that 1 is a 1988 and 1 is a 1989.  The 89 runs and the 88 does not.  Turn the key up 1 click,  no neutral or reverse lights.  2 clicks, still no neutral or reverse lights but the speedometer lights come on.  Switch to run and hit the start button and nothing.  Since I have 2 of the same and 1 runs I'm ok switching out parts.....but where do I start?  Any help is appreciated.  Thanks!

[Ajmboy]

Welcome to QUADCRAZY, I moved your topic into the Suzuki forum. I would swap the ignition switch from the 89 and see if it starts.

[mark7170]

Hey Ajmboy, thanks for the suggestion.  Here is how I got this one started.  Going through the factory Suzuki manual (which I downloaded from Quadcrazy...THANK YOU GUYS!!!) I ran a diagnostic and found out the reverse switch was bad.  I swapped In a reverse switch and got back my neutral and reverse lights.  Plus, I now have ignition.  The neutral and reverse switches are tied in to each other on this bike so if 1 is bad, neither light works.  Both switches need to work to get push button ignition.

[Talia]

Will your quad pull start if a switch is bad?

[mark7170]

Not sure, but I think the switch and the pull are independant systems.  

[Tank]

I tried pull starting one with no success

[keppelk]

Having exactly the same problem. Need the factory manual to work out what's going on, but need 10 posts...

[johniii]

Post away.

[Frankenquad]

On 8/24/2018 at 6:37 PM, keppelk said:

Having exactly the same problem. Need the factory manual to work out what's going on, but need 10 posts...

Same problem here

[Frankenquad]

On 7/31/2018 at 9:11 PM, mark7170 said:

Not sure, but I think the switch and the pull are independant systems.  

Did you get it going??

[Frankenquad]

On 7/15/2018 at 12:50 PM, mark7170 said:

Hey folks, brand newbie here.  I just bought a pair of near identical quads, the difference is that 1 is a 1988 and 1 is a 1989.  The 89 runs and the 88 does not.  Turn the key up 1 click,  no neutral or reverse lights.  2 clicks, still no neutral or reverse lights but the speedometer lights come on.  Switch to run and hit the start button and nothing.  Since I have 2 of the same and 1 runs I'm ok switching out parts.....but where do I start?  Any help is appreciated.  Thanks!

Good looking bike!  Good luck.  

 

On 7/31/2018 at 9:11 PM, mark7170 said:

Not sure, but I think the switch and the pull are independant systems.  

Did you get it running?

[Frankenquad]

On 7/27/2018 at 6:48 AM, mark7170 said:

Hey Ajmboy, thanks for the suggestion.  Here is how I got this one started.  Going through the factory Suzuki manual (which I downloaded from Quadcrazy...THANK YOU GUYS!!!) I ran a diagnostic and found out the reverse switch was bad.  I swapped In a reverse switch and got back my neutral and reverse lights.  Plus, I now have ignition.  The neutral and reverse switches are tied in to each other on this bike so if 1 is bad, neither light works.  Both switches need to work to get push button ignition.

My buddy did the same thing.  Got two, got another one for parts, needed up getting another one and now we’re trying to get three running. One for his wife, one for him, and one for me.  If we can figure out the whole not wanting to idle and smoking real bad things. 😜

[Talia]

I also need more posts and a manual. 

The electric start spins but won’t engage and the manual pull start is very hard to pull, it seems like more than compression but I am new to these quads

 

[Talia]

I assume the lever on top of the head is a decompression lever?

[JimandJacki Cariolano]

I had a lot of trouble getting a 2001 LT F250F running. It seems that they are sensitive to the gas around here so using ethanol free gas is a start also, the carb must be shiny clean and make sure that you check and adjust the valve clearance

[Talia]

Do you need the decompression lever for the electric starter?

[spock58]

Nope, the decomp lever would only be required when pull starting - the electric starting issue may be just that your battery is low. Need to do a load test on it.

[johniii]

i believe there is a decompression lever.Is there an open hole near speedometer??

[Talia]

I don’t think The battery was an issue because I was jumping it.  Starter spins well but doesn’t seem to engage. I just got two of these bikes, one two wheel drive and one four wheel drive, both are in rough shape with the wiring home remedied. 

[Talia]

To follow up on my previous post, I am new to quads so all assistance is much appreciated. I hate to see old vehicles discarded instead of repaired 

[spock58]

Sounds to me like you have a starter clutch that has failed. To repair this requires removal of the ignition side case cover and pulling the flywheel off which needs a special tool to do so.

There is a one-way bearing likely attached to the back side of the flywheel. If this has failed there may be other parts involved that are worn. Not the easiest of jobs but it's usually possible to do without engine removal.

I've done this fix on a newer 300 Suzuki quad but I believe the older ones also used this style of starter system. Hope this helps.

[Talia]

That helps a lot. Thanks

[Talia]

What special tool is required?

[spock58]

It's just called a flywheel puller - they're different sizes and you need one that's specific for your motor.

They shouldn't be that expensive to buy, or else you can take it to your local shop that services these brands and get them to pull it for you.