86096

Hello Mech... The explanation and that diagram of the starting system circuits is super helpful... I should be able to trace out the problem lickety split with that. Thanks a million. And thanks also to everyone that piped up with some brilliant ideas for what to check for and test! I can't wait to get back at it!

I wonder if the reverse switch or the neutral switch are 'sticky' and it takes a while for the switch to slowly change positions. I'm gonna check my switches for that possibility since it sat for many many years without being used and possibly the switches are gummed up.

This is the diagram I found

I have been studying the wiring diagram again (although not for my exact model but similar enough I hope). The neutral light is indeed in series with the reverse switch. I think I might need to ensure the reverse switch is operating properly. Perhaps its stuck or not properly adjusted. The ATV sat unused for about 15 years... wouldn't surprise me a bit if it is stuck. I can't wait to get back to it and check it and the power wires.

I have reviewed a wiring diagram for a similar model... it appears that the neutral switch will ground when in neutral... I checked it with a meter and it does indeed ground when in neutral. I had the ATV running and the wheels were not turning when revving the engine, and when I shifted it through the gears the back wheels would indeed spin so it was definitely in neutral. I took out the neutral switch relay and bench tested it... works perfect. I did find one corroded terminal on the relay but cleaning it did not resolve my 'no neutral light' issue. I will have to go through the harness to see if there are any other bad connections, or perhaps a critter munched through something while it was sitting for all those years. I have to think it's gonna be something simple... just gotta find it. This is indeed making me crazy. The engine runs amazing, idles low and is responsive when you throttle it up. I have all the body panels, the front and rear carry racks, the seat and the right rear wheel off. I want to fix this issue before I put all these parts back on. But I wanna ride it NOW!!! Patience pays... I'll get it sorted and then it will be perfect!

Okay... today hopefully will be a good one. I have installed a new air filter (critters ate the old one), new spark plug and I have rebuilt the carb with a new rebuild kit. I have figured out (I hope) the fuel, drain and vent lines. I now have to try and figure out why the neutral light is not illuminating, which prevents the starter from working. Hopefully the neutral switch is dirty or stuck. I can then hopefully get it to start and, fingers crossed, a test ride. I'll post my results!

Will it still runn in the "lights" position, or is that position just to allow some illumination without the engine being able to run?

I have a 1985 Suzuki lt230ge with electric start. It has a keyed ignition. The key, once inserted will move to two positions. There is a button on the left handlebar to engage the starter... so what do the two key positions do. Anyone know???? I am looking forward to getting to enjoy this machine but I can't find a lot of info online about such a classic ATV. Thanks in advance for any advice!!

I have recently acquired a 1985 Suzuki lt230ge quadrunner. It has an automatic clutch. How do you ride it. do I select a gear and then give it gas and it will go? What about downshifting? I don't want to jump on it and go and risk busting something on this old rig. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!

I'm not gonna do anything crazy on this ATV and I was pretty well decided that I'd run the tires as is and see if they look like they'll hold out but if anyone had a really compelling reason not to I would look for new ones. Thanks for the input!!!

I have a 1985 Suzuki LT230 GE quadrunner. It has been stored in a shed for at least the last 15 years and has very low mileage. Although the tires look and feel great... should I consider changing them since they are 38 years old? I don't intend to ride to far or too fast but I don't want to have to walk out of the bush. Any input would be welcome.

ok... I have a Vin #: J5AAJ42A6F2113960 Which should be on a 1985 Suzuki LT230GE. I had a huge mouse nest in the airbox and the critters ate my air filter. The entire airbox was filled with nest so i had to dig the airbox out to clean it. I removed the tank to get the 15year old gas out and I gave the carb a quick (too quick) clean. I put all the cleaned air intake parts back on and installed a new battery. nothing happened. The neutral light doesn't illuminate so it won't crank the engine. I jumped the terminals on the solenoid and it did start and it seems to run fantastically well. I idles flawlessly, revs up just fine (wheels don't turn so I assume I do have it in neutral) but then gas started pouring out of the carb so I think a carb rebuild is in order. I will have to figure out where the neutral switch is and figure out why It doesn't come on. Has anyone else had a similar issue? Does anyone know what the two on positions of the key switch do? Ultimately I hope to find an owners manual and a service manual so I can get the final touches sorted on this amazingly well preserved machine. All the best !!

I have just acquired my first atv... a Suzuki Quadrunner LT230 GEF. Very low mileage About 5200 km or about 3000 miles. Hasn't been run in about 15+ years. Looks to be in really good shape. I will clean out the tank and fuel lines, clean the carb, get a new battery and check all the fluids. Can anyone tell me what year this one is so I can order the right battery and any other parts I might need. Thanks in advance for any and all help or advice. All the best!