If the start up is jerky, or if there is poor speed transition from level ground to climbing a hill, or if the car has erratic (fast then slow then fast again) high end speed, bad golf cart clutches may be indicated.
- A sudden inability to maintain even slow speeds when heading uphill or changing elevation.
- Slowing down to a crawl, then speeding up, then slowing again, seemingly without reason.
- Jolting during startup.
- A 'cranking' sound when starting up the golf cart.
How to fix a golf cart clutch not engaging?
Fixing the battery will usually help you resolve the issue of your golf cart clutch not engaging. If you find that the issue does not lie with the battery, then you might have to remove the back cover and take a look at the system to figure out what the issue is. With the rear end jacked up, try throttling the cart.
How do you know if your clutch is going out?
In fact, any weirdness with the feel and resistance in your pedal are signs your clutch is going out. It might feel spongy, the pedal may vibrate when you engage/disengage, maybe suddenly it requires more effort than usual; whatever it is, it's not good. These are all signs of a bad clutch that you should get checked out pronto. 2.
How do I know if my golf cart CVT is bad?
Watch out for these telltale signs of a malfunctioning golf cart CVT that is in need of repair or replacement: A sudden inability to maintain even slow speeds when heading uphill or changing elevation Slowing down to a crawl, then speeding up, then slowing again, seemingly without reason
What are the most common problems with a golf cart?
Another common problem a lot of people face is a jerky start. The cart while starting up might give out a few jerky movements. After a while, it could become smooth, but this problem is caused due to some issues with the clutch system. If you’re driving up a hill, any problems with the clutch can be easily noticed.
How do I know if my clutch is going bad?
0:121:37How to Tell if Your Clutch is Bad with 4 EASY Tests in Under 2 Minutes!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe put into gear. You let the clutch out. And nothing happens so we can come down here to the clutchMoreWe put into gear. You let the clutch out. And nothing happens so we can come down here to the clutch on the clutch pedal here. Now. If you feel like your clutch is slipping. And you have no free pedal
Why is my golf cart clutch not engaging?
Cleaning the clutch thoroughly might be the simplest solution to this problem. You could also try lubricating the system with a good quality lubricant. This might free up the clutch and thus prevent the squeaking noise. Another common reason could be due to the weights present inside the system hanging up.
Can you adjust a clutch on a golf cart?
If you are unsure about removing the drive belt or the clutch, then you can adjust it. Just take out the belt and wound it again with the secondary clutch according to the requirements, and your problem should be fixed.
How does a secondary clutch work on a golf cart?
At rest, the drive clutch faces (sheaves) are separated by the wide drive belt. The driven (or secondary) clutch bolts onto the input shaft of the differential. The driven clutch sheaves are spring loaded together and the belt, at rest, rides up at the outer edge.
Why wont my golf cart go forward or reverse?
The problem could be with either the Run/Tow switch or Forward/Reverse switch or both. Check the switches to ensure that they aren't stuck midway. If they are, getting them released should help. However, if they show signs of wear and tear, you must get them replaced.
Why is my centrifugal clutch not engaging?
Centrifugal Clutch Won't Engage If your clutch won't engage, It usually means that the engine idle speed is different to the clutch idle speed. This can result in damage. To correct this, change the spring or change the engine speed to below the clutch idle speed.
How does a golf cart clutch system work?
0:463:28How a golf cart CVT slip drive clutch works - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the rear drive clutch actually separates it widens causing the belt to drop down into the clutchMoreAnd the rear drive clutch actually separates it widens causing the belt to drop down into the clutch.
Why does my gas golf cart go slow uphill?
A fully charged battery can create up to 24 volts. With a voltmeter, determine how much current you need by checking if your cart will move on flat ground with a dead battery. If your golf cart's speed drops significantly as it ascends an incline, your batteries may be weak and need replacement.
How tight should a golf cart drive belt be?
The reason for a Club Car drive belt being too tight can be because the drive belt is too small for the golf cart. The way to check if the belt is fitted correctly is to push the belt down with one finger at the center between the clutches. It should not deflect more than 1.5inches. It should not be less as well.
How do you take apart a golf cart clutch?
0:504:33How to disassemble a Team brand slip drive clutch out of a golf cart or ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat you want to do is take off this cap. Just three screws. One two three pull it off like thatMoreWhat you want to do is take off this cap. Just three screws. One two three pull it off like that there's a plastic ring inside don't lose that. All right then what you got to do is flip it over.
What is a secondary clutch?
The secondary clutch is mounted to the input shaft of the transmission, transaxle, or the like. In modern CVT systems such as those used in recreational vehicles, the secondary clutch has two functions: as a “slave” to the primary clutch and to provide a torque sensing element.
How do I rebuild my ezgo driven clutch?
0:395:37GBoost E Z GO ClutchKit CKSDEZ19 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor this cart loosen the leaf spring bolt and slide it back so you'll have room to remove bothMoreFor this cart loosen the leaf spring bolt and slide it back so you'll have room to remove both clutches and belt. Now we can remove both bolts for the driven.
How do you tighten a clutch belt on a golf cart?
There is no provision for adjusting the drive belt on a Club Car golf cart. If you find the belt loose or too tight, you have to go for a replacement belt. Choosing the right belt and ordering can pose a challenge. You will need to order a drive belt that is 1-inch shorter than your stock belt.
How does a golf cart clutch system work?
0:463:28How a golf cart CVT slip drive clutch works - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the rear drive clutch actually separates it widens causing the belt to drop down into the clutchMoreAnd the rear drive clutch actually separates it widens causing the belt to drop down into the clutch.
How do you tighten the belt on a EZ Go golf cart?
How to Adjust the Drive Belt on an EZGO Golf Cart. There is no way to adjust a drive belt, so it's important to get the right size belt in the first place. To be sure, visit your local mechanic or call a certified technician to help you get the right drive belt for your EZGO golf cart.
How do you rebuild a clutch on a EZ Go golf cart?
0:395:37GBoost E Z GO ClutchKit CKSDEZ19 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor this cart loosen the leaf spring bolt and slide it back so you'll have room to remove bothMoreFor this cart loosen the leaf spring bolt and slide it back so you'll have room to remove both clutches and belt. Now we can remove both bolts for the driven.
Why is my clutch not engaging?
Sometimes a belt that does not have the correct tension and is loose may cause the clutch to not engage properly. It might help to clean out any rust on the clutch system as this could also be the cause of this issue. Rectifying these problems could help resolve the clutch issue.
Why does my clutch get stuck?
Another cause could be a bad spring. Sometimes, if the spring in the system is bad, it could cause the clutch to get stuck. Try replacing the spring and check if the problem is resolved. If none of these work, you might have to replace or rebuild the entire clutch system.
Why is my cart not smooth?
When you’re driving up a hill or even on a flat surface and notice that the cart transmission is not smooth, then it clearly indicates that the issue lies with the clutch system. Another common problem a lot of people face is a jerky start. The cart while starting up might give out a few jerky movements.
Why does my clutch make a squeaking noise?
Sometimes this issue of the clutch not fully engaging but slipping could be caused due to the dirt build-up inside .
How to stop clutch from coming apart?
Gently place the crowbar behind the clutch and apply pressure. The clutch might slide off and come apart. Make sure to add even pressure at the same intervals otherwise you might end up breaking a part. If none of these techniques work, you can try cutting some relief on the clutch.
What is CVT in golf carts?
Golf carts have a special technology called CVT which stands for Continuous Variable Technology . This technology allows the user a smooth drive without having to worry too much about changing gears. Every golf cart will have a clutch consisting of two parts namely the primary clutch and the secondary clutch.
Can a clutch be smooth?
If you’re driving up a hill, any problems with the clutch can be easily noticed. The clutch system will not be smooth and the speed will be erratic. These are some of the common problems observed due to issues with the clutch system.
Drive
The drive, or primary, clutch is found on the crankshaft of the engine. A thick, heavy ‘drive’ belt is wrapped around it and links it to the driven clutch, on the differential. At rest, the drive clutch sheaves (or pulley halves) are separated enough that the drive belt rests in between the sheaves & against the center shaft of this clutch.
Driven
The other half of this system is the driven, or secondary, clutch. At rest the driven clutch sheaves are spring loaded together, so the belt sits up at the outer edge of this clutch, NOT down toward the center shaft. It, too, spins around and has a sheave that sides in & out along it’s main shaft but this clutch has no flyweights.
Belt Operation
As the drive belt forces the driven clutch sheaves to separate, the PULLING ratio of the engine changes from maximum (when the belt is at the outer edge of the driven unit) to minimum PULLING power, or top cruising speed (when the sheaves are completely apart).
Driven Issues
The driven clutch can misbehave in many ways. It has one main shaft and the sliding sheave has an internal bushing that will wear, and it has several inclined metal ramps (usually aluminum) with small plastic buttons that protect the ramps as they glide against one another.
Buttons
OK picture this: The engine revs up and the drive belt starts to ride down into the pulley faces of the driven clutch forcing them to separate. The inboard pulley half begins to slide along the main shaft compressing the spring and bringing the funky cup ends and their respective ramps up against one another.
Driven Spring
While we are on the Yamaha driven clutch another failure that occurs is almost impossible to detect but it also impairs the hill pulling power of the car. Keep looking inboard to where the funky spring cap butts up against the differential housing. The spring cap doesn’t actually touch the differential case.
Clutch stuck to the crankshaft
This is not an uncommon problem, people ask all the time about how to remove your go-kart clutch.
Overheating of clutch
If your clutch is starting to release smoke or is releasing sparks then it’s likely due to overheating. Overheating can be caused by a variety of reasons:
Conclusion
There are loads of problems that you can run into that are not mentioned here, if you’re unable to find a solution on the internet, you can send us an email and we’ll get back to you, or you can find a lot of online forums with tons of knowledgable people that can help you.
How to tell if clutch is bad?
These are all signs of a bad clutch that you should get checked out pronto. 2. Different Bite Points. When you release your clutch, you feel it bite when the transmission engages. You know what it feels like when it's right. So any differences in how it's supposed to feel are signs of clutch failure.
What does it mean when your clutch pedal is soft?
We don't want to bog you down with too much of what's going on behind the scenes, but a soft clutch pedal is a prime symptom that things are no bueno for your ability to shift gears. In fact, any weirdness with the feel and resistance in your pedal are signs your clutch is going out.
Why does my clutch make a grinding sound?
This is because the clutch is either not engaging or disengaging properly, and it's a telltale sign that you're going to need to replace that bad boy sooner rather than later. 6. Grinding. An audible grinding sound when you attempt to shift gears could be a sign that you don't know how to drive stick, you knucklehead.
What does it mean when a car goes into reverse?
Mechanically, switching into reverse puts a heavy burden on your car's transmission and drive shaft, as it's forcing the vehicle's power to shift in the opposite direction. This is one of the hardest functions a clutch performs, so it's often an early-warning sign that something is going wrong. 5. Slipping.
How long does a clutch last?
Estimates vary based on the quality of parts and style of driving, but your clutch should last anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 miles.
Where is the bite point on a clutch?
Typically, the bite point for a good-working clutch is somewhere near the center of the pedal's travel. As a clutch wears, that bite point gets higher and higher, and sometimes you won't feel the transmission grab until the clutch pedal is all the way out.
Can you find reverse gear when shifting?
If you're needing to exert excess force just to get your car into gear, that's a warning sign that your clutch could be on its way out. 4. Can't Find Reverse.
Strut is leaking oil or shows physical damage
Most of the time if a strut is going bad it is because a seal holding the fluid (usually oil) in the shock starts to get old and starts to let the oil escape. This can often be discovered by a simple inspection of the shock. If it appears to be oily, wet or caked with dust and dirt, it is likely that the shock is leaking and needs to be replaced.
Golf cart is experiencing excessive body roll
Excessive body rolling is another indication of a strut going bad. This test can be performed by driving the golf car then turning the steering wheel so that the golf cart is tracing out an “S” pattern.
Bonus tip
If none of these tests or inspections reveal that your shock is bad, you may want to inspect the shock bushings. These are the rubber or plastic bushings at the ends of the shocks and also found where the leaf springs are bolted to the spring plates or brackets.