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golf cart fuel gauge fluctuates when driving

by Neva Runolfsdottir PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Depending on the source of the trouble, there could be a voltage problem in the fuel sender, causing the gauge to receive no voltage response from there. Interruption in the ground for either the gauge or the fuel sender might cause the issue too. Other reasons could be corrosion or loose connections at the fuel pump module.

Full Answer

Why does my fuel gauge fluctuate?

See: How Fuel Gauges Work a bad ground in the fuel gage circuit or intermittent ground contact ie.loose ground wire can cause fluctuation.try that test first.if ground is ok check connection at gauge.also the float gage in tank could be sticking.many variables too complicated to do.I would get estimate at a garage of good repute.

How does a fuel gauge tester work on a car?

Older vehicles relied a float with a resistor and “wiper” to modify a voltage sent directly from the electro -mechanical fuel gauge in the cluster. A gauge tester with a variable resistance function was used to “drive” the gauge to see if the gauge itself was accurate.

How to choose the right fuel for your golf cart?

Opt to buy fuel from stores that sell pure gasoline without traces of Ethanol. This is slightly expensive but a cheaper deal compared to when you have to replace damaged parts because of the rust deposits that occur in the fuel supply. Get a fuel stabilizer fitted for the smooth running of the golf cart engine.

What happens when a golf cart runs out of gas?

If your golf carts runs out of gas, the engine will stop running. This in turn stalls the cart and makes it difficult to control the braking and steering. The fuel line will be filled with air causing the fuel injectors to get clogged or the fuel pump to get damaged.

Why does my golf cart move at full throttle?

The throttle cable is very tight causing the golf cart to move at full throttle and when the pedal is pressed. Adjusting this cable is likely to serve as a possible fix.

Why is My Yamaha Golf Cart Surging?

Yamaha golf cart can start surging due to a clogged fuel filter, a dirty fuel pump or by using the incorrect igniter for your golf cart.

What happens if a golf cart clutch is worn out?

The clutch or any of its components may have worn out that when replaced will set the golf cart right.

Why does my golf cart start with a belt tight?

The starter sets the golf cart in motion when you try to start the cart indicating that the main belt is very tight. Loosening this as much as possible by adjusting the motor mounts and moving the motor towards the axle may solve the problem.

Why is there a problem with the signal sent out by the throttle?

There is a problem with the signal sent out by the throttle because of water in the ITS due to a crack in the throttle sensor. Fixing this will solve the problem.

How to tell if battery is bad?

Check the battery pack voltage and ensure that it has the required voltage rating. Also, make sure that their connections are intact. This can help to identify a bad battery that needs to be replaced.

Why is my battery pack failing?

One or more batteries in the battery pack may be failing. Identify the bad battery or batteries and replacing it can resolve the issue. Sometimes, it may be a faulty, loose or dirty battery connection that needs to be set right.

How to adjust a golf cart?

Adjustment is made by loosening the nut or screw, pressing the throttle closed, and then retightening the nut. Some golf carts may not have accelerator cables but instead will have a series of rods between the gas pedal and the carburetor.

Why does my golf cart backfire?

Golf Cart Backfires Because Fuel Mixture Is Too Rich. Always check the air and fuel ratio to make sure your engine is not receiving too rich of a fuel mixture. The following adjustments are an example of most carburetors, but you should look up the proper number of screw turns your model requires.

How Do I Clean The Carburetor To Stop Backfiring On My Golf Cart?

Cleaning the golf cart carburetor will require you to obtain a rebuild kit, or at the very least, a gasket kit. The gaskets and seals will not re-compress properly if you try to reuse them. If you buy a kit online, specify the year and make of your golf cart and make sure that it includes the main jet and gaskets required to finish this job.

What happens when the throttle cable is out of adjustment?

When the throttle cable is out of adjustment, the throttle plate never completely closes, allowing unburned gasoline to accumulate in the exhaust system before the spark plug fires. Here are a few tips for adjusting your golf cart engine to keep it from backfiring.

Why is my throttle plate not closing?

If none of these accelerator cable adjustments solve the problem, then the throttle plate may not be closing all the way due to an obstruction or internal mechanism being bent. Unfortunately, the only way to find out if this is true is to remove the carburetor and inspect it.

What is the ignition system on a golf cart?

Older golf carts used a set of points and a condenser to produce the spark needed to run the engine, but the more modern carts have a solid-state ignition system . The solid-state system utilizes an internal magnetic pickup device inside the engine that sends an electrical signal down the line to the igniter.

Why is my piston red?

If you find that there is a buildup of coke on the top of your piston be sure and use a blunt tool to scrape it off because the piston material is very soft and can scratch or gouge easily. A scratch or gouge would glow red at the edges and cause just as much of an ignition point as the original issue would have and would defeat the purpose of de-coking.

Why is my fuel gauge reading full?

If the fuel gauge reads full at all times, the probable causes are: • The wire between the sender and gauge is broken and/or the connections are not good. The resistance wire in the sender is broken. • The sender is not grounded and/or the tank is not grounded to the chassis. To determine what is causing the problem:

Why is a fuel gauge important?

An accurate gauge helps keep one from running out of fuel, or at least indicates when more is needed. However, some believe that cars generate gas or that someone else will fill the tank.

What is the float of a tank at 30 ohms?

At 30 ohms, the float is at the top of its travel and the gauge should read full. The sender must be grounded to operate properly. The lack of a good ground is often the reason the gauge does not work properly.

What is fuel gauge?

The fuel gauge is composed of two components: a sender in the tank and a gauge on the instrument panel. The sender consists of a float on an arm that varies the resistance the sender applies to the circuit with gauge. GM cars from the 1930s to the 1960s operate on a 30 ohm scale.

Is a fuel gauge sensitive?

And, it is a sensitive instrument. But, it is simple to test and most problems are easy to fix. My experience with fuel gauges has been primarily with General Motors cars, but much of what follows is generally applicable to many others. The fuel gauge is composed of two components: a sender in the tank and a gauge on the instrument panel.

What causes a fuel gauge to read full?

Another, less common, symptom of an issue with the fuel gauge sender is a fuel gauge that is stuck on full. A faulty fuel gauge resistor can send a bad signal to the instrument cluster which can cause the gauge to permanently read full.

How to tell if fuel gauge is bad?

1. Fuel gauge behaves erratically. One of the first symptoms of a problem with the fuel gauge sender is a fuel gauge that behaves erratically. A faulty fuel gauge sender may cause the gauge to suddenly change positions, or give an inaccurate reading. The gauge may appear to be at three quarters, and then only a few minutes later will change ...

Why is my fuel gauge stuck on empty?

Another common symptom of a faulty fuel gauge sender is a gauge that is stuck on empty. If the float somehow breaks or becomes separated from the arm it may cause the fuel gauge to malfunction and become stuck on empty. A faulty resistor can also cause the gauge to read empty. 3.

What happens when a fuel sender is bad?

Usually a bad or failing fuel gauge sender will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential issue. 1. Fuel gauge behaves erratically.

What is a fuel sender?

The fuel gauge sender, also commonly referred to as the fuel sending unit, is the component responsible for sending the signal that operates the fuel level gauge in the instrument cluster . The fuel sending unit is made up of an arm, float, and a resistor that changes according the position of the float. The sender float is designed to float on the surface of the fuel inside of the tank. As the level drops, the position of the arm and float will shift and move a resistor which controls the display on the gauge. When the fuel sending unit has an issue it can cause the vehicle to experience issues with the fuel gauge, which can put the vehicle at risk of running out of fuel. Usually a bad or failing fuel gauge sender will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential issue.

Is a fuel sender serviced?

The fuel sending unit is not a routinely serviced component, usually only serviced when it, or the fuel pump fails, however it does play an important role to the proper operation of the vehicle. If you fuel gauge is displaying any of the symptoms, or you suspect that there may be an issue with this unit, have the vehicle inspected by a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic, to determine if the fuel gage sender should be replaced.

Why Does a Golf Cart Sputter and Die?

If your cart sputters and dies, it might be because your spark plug is faulty. If your cart starts and runs for awhile but then sputters then dies, try replacing your spark plug. If you’re lucky that’ll instantly solve your problem. If not, you might have a failing ignition coil.

Why Do Golf Carts Blow Out Smoke?

Your cart shouldn’t blow out a lot of smoke. It should run quite clearly without much smoke if your cart has been serviced regularly and maintained well . Older carts tend to release more smoke than newer ones though.

Why does my carburetor spit gas?

Problems with the timing chain in your cart might also be making your carburetor spit gas. If you have a timing belt that jumps, it’s probably causing your gas spitting problems. Jumping belts are more common when you have plastic camshaft timing gears rather than metal timing gears. Lastly, bad reeds can lead to gas spitting.

How to fix gas spitting from valve cover?

Here’s what you can do to fix gas spitting from the valve cover. Replace the needle in the carburetor or replace the whole carburetor. The other thing that’s likely to cause gas to spit from the valve cover of your cart is your carburetor float being stuck open. This is simple enough to fix.

Why does my golf cart spit?

Golf carts can spit and sputter for several reasons, but mainly due to worn out spark plugs or dirty filters inside the fuel system. There might be something wrong with the fuel system of your cart. You could be having a spit and sputter problem because the filter, pump and injectors in your golf cart are very dirty.

What to do if your golf cart is spitting gas?

Lastly, if your golf cart is spitting gas, you may need to replace your air box. A relatively common problem is getting replacements that aren’t the stock air box for your cart. Something that most people don’t know or forget about is that if you’re using aftermarket filters, you absolutely must reset your carburetor.

Why is my oil more than full?

Your oil will probably be more than full because of this: the oil has been diluted with fuel! Here’s what you can do to fix gas spitting from the valve cover.

What happens if you charge your golf cart?

You would have charged up your cart fully but after driving it around for an hour or two, the power would have got drained off completely. If this is a frequent occurrence with your cart, then you will need to take a look at the batteries.

How to check battery water level in golf cart?

How to Check Battery Water Levels in a Golf Cart. Check if the voltages in both the batteries are at the designated levels. Also, if the water in the batteries has dried up, it could cause this issue. Check for the electrolyte and water levels in the batteries. Make sure that you are not overcharging or undercharging your batteries as these could ...

What does the first beep sound on a cart mean?

The manual will have the list of beeps and their respective fault codes. The first beep sound will indicate the performance factor.

Why does my cart have a loose solenoid?

If the connections from the solenoid have become loose or if there is some other loose contact, the cart might behave in this manner. It can also be caused by a faulty motor or a faulty key switch.

What causes a cart engine to die?

If your cart engine dies suddenly, it may be the carburetor causing the issue. Read the following steps to fix it:

Why does my golf cart keep powering off?

If the cart starts powering off after a new installation, then you will know that the issue is caused due to errors with the installation.

Why does my golf cart cut out?

Another reason why golf carts can cut out is due to problems with the battery voltage or water levels.

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