Won't start. Feels stuck in reverse.

[Mica]

Hi everyone out there. Just joined and glad I found 3wheelerworld.com. I always wanted a big red so I finally picked up a 1984 ATC 200 es. It was not very well taken care of. All the plastics are gone and I am pretty sure it has been rolled and the wiring is a mess. It has ran great for about two months. But I went to start it and it wont start. It feels like it is stuck in reverse. If any one has experienced this or knows what is going on or knows where to get a book on this potentially sweet toy I would really appreciate some help. Thanks.

[dustrunner]

you should be able to move it back and forth while triing to shift it into neutral. is the reverse light on ? does it turn over with the electric start ?

[tri again]

the following words should light up as a clickable link

service manual

x2 with 1243

try rocking it fore and aft and wiggle the main shifter and the hi lo pull button shifter.
for the extra gearbox.
you should be able to find true neutral.

did you neutral light ever work?

I had one that wouldn't spark with the electric start but would with the pull rope,
just as an added thought.

Gotta make sure all electric connections are clean and happy, especially grounds.

I hope your lack of neutral is an easy fix,
I've got one right now that won't shift into or out of whatever gears it thinks it's in
so I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

GREAT machines and sometimes even better than the full suspension trikes
for mud and hauling stuff.

[Mica]

I did find true neutral finally. None of the lights work yet and the push start button is a no go as well. My girlfriend told me she was out trying to "help" get it going while I was at work. Now I got no spark. I pulled the wire off the spark plug and it is shot. The fella who had it before me was a little rough on it. I also found speaker wire for a little home stereo was used all over on my future awesome wheeler. I am thinking I am better off just gutting it and start over doing it all right. Wish I had some pictures to show you all how beat up it is (for now). Thanks for the speedy responses, greatly appreciated. Any tricks or know how on a rebuild would be sweet. Thanks again.

[tri again]

Everything's gonna be fine.
Don't be upset. Maybe you weren't supposed to ride that day.

Full wire harnesses on ebay go for under 20 bucks.
coils are cheap too but you may be able to use a regular automotive wire
or some doubled up speaker wire.

If that 'service manual' link works, you may be able to find the neutral safety switch
wire and simply ground it.
The machine WILL START IN GEAR if you bypass that neutral safety switch however.

(my dog still looks at me funny when I start these things)

Yupp, always better to fix stuff right.
Much safer and includes bragging rights.

Be happy you know the rest of it is ok. engine and gearbox wise.
Much better than spending $ on something that we're not sure even runs.

A few deep breaths, quality time with your helper is always good
and 40 bucks in parts and you'll be smiling again.

[Mica]

Thanks for the advise. I will put it to good use. Was looking at the album of pictures. There are some good looking machines on there.

[kb0nly]

I have an 84 200ES thats in great shape but one thing, the electrical was messed with by the previous owner, so i have had my share of electrical gremlins to chase down and fix, finally got through the entire harness and got it working perfectly. I eliminated the stupid inhibit relay on mine, you might have an issue there as well. All you have to do is clip two wires at the relay and splice them together to defeat it, not that hard. I did it by unplugging the relay and making a jumper with male terminals on it to plug into the connector in place of the relay, works perfectly now, although mine has a new aftermarket CDI unit, and lots of other upgrades and repairs i made to the electrical system, but now its totally reliable!

[Mica]

Here it is. Hoping it looks worse than it is. 150160