  We tentatively assign the $Y(4230)$ as the vector tetraquark state with a
relative P-wave between the scalar diquark pair, and explore the three-body
strong decays $Y(4230) \to \bar{D}^{*-}D^{*0}\pi^+$, $\bar{D}^{*-}D^0\pi^+$,
$J/\psi\pi^+\pi^- $ and $ J/\psi K^+K^-$ with the light-cone QCD sum rules by
assuming contact four-meson coupling constants. The resulting partial decay
widths are too small to account for the experimental data, and we expect those
decays take place through an intermediate meson. We can search for the
intermediate states and precisely measure the branching fractions to diagnose
the nature of the $Y$ states.
