Apart from overheating, a bad starter generator may at times fail to turn over the engine. This again is a major concern and can cause serious damage to the other parts as well. A golf cart starter generator will not turn over due to low battery voltage, misaligned rotation or mechanical damage to the pulley and brushes.
Full Answer
What does a starter generator do in a golf cart?
A starter generator performs the following functions in a golf cart : Here are the main signs to look for to check if there is a problem with the starter generator: When you turn the key to start your cart but nothing happens or hear only a clicking sound, there could be a problem with your starter or your battery.
Why is my starter generator overheating on my golf cart?
To prevent a starter generator from overheating on your golf cart, you should check for loose connections and make sure all wires are connected correctly by referring to the user manual. Loosely wound or wires not connected properly are often the primary cause of an overheating starter generator.
What should I do if my golf cart is not accelerating?
If nothing happens, it’s most likely an electrical issue. On gasoline carts, check the battery that turns the engine over to make sure it is charged. On Electric carts, the battery pack should be checked for a full charge. If there is no click when the pedal is pushed, then there is no solenoid activity.
How do you test a starter generator on a Yamaha golf cart?
0:011:03How to Check the Generator on Your Golf Cart - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you should see the voltage jump up from around 12 volts with the cart running to about 16 voltsMoreAnd you should see the voltage jump up from around 12 volts with the cart running to about 16 volts that that happens that proves the generator is fine you simply need to change.
What does the starter generator do on a golf cart?
The starter generator works in two ways; the starter portion cranks the engine and the generator portion recharges the battery. When the gas pedal is depressed the starter cranks the engine over. When it begins to run on its own, the generator portion of the unit begins to charge the 12-volt battery.
How do you fix a starter generator?
0:329:20How to Your Rebuild Garden Tractor's Starter Generator - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo disassemble your starter generator you simply remove these two long bolts that's holdingMoreTo disassemble your starter generator you simply remove these two long bolts that's holding everything together you'll find them on the brush. End of the starter generator.
How do you polarize a starter generator on a golf cart?
0:391:10How to Polarize at the Generator - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake your live jumper lead and touch it touch touch. You're going to get a small spark. When that'sMoreTake your live jumper lead and touch it touch touch. You're going to get a small spark. When that's happened that's the end of it lay. Your field wire back on where she belongs. And the job is done.
How does a Yamaha starter generator work?
The starter generator is an electric motor that runs on the voltage drawn from the cart's battery. After igniting and cranking the engine, when the starter generator is spinning at over 1200rpm, it starts converting the AC it produces to DC to regenerate the battery.
How do you test a starter generator?
0:000:42Zip Tip Starter Generator Testing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGround it hit your start side or your a side or your G side not the field side spin the engine up toMoreGround it hit your start side or your a side or your G side not the field side spin the engine up to speed. And while it's spinning down come over to your. Field.
What causes the generator not to start?
1. Battery Failure. One of the most common reasons a generator will not start is due to a battery failure. Often this could be caused by a loose connection or a sulfation build-up (a build-up of lead sulphate crystals on the plates of lead-acid batteries).
What would make a gas golf cart not start?
First, try this: turn the key switch on, hit the accelerator, and check for a clicking noise. If you don't hear clicking, it's time to take a look at your cart's batteries. Make sure the battery is fully charged and the terminals are cleaned and secure. Next, see how the water level in the battery is holding up.
What keeps the battery charged on a gas golf cart?
Gas golf cart accessories will also rely on battery power. However, they feature a starter/generator that will charge the battery on its own while the gas pedal is depressed. This doesn't mean a gas golf cart battery is invincible – any accessories left on while the cart isn't running will eventually kill your battery.
What happens if you don't polarize a generator?
A regulator always runs off positive current. As a result, if the generator is not polarized to a positive charge and positive current is sent into the terminals, the generator can be damaged as well as the other motors and switches on the same current.
How do you fix residual magnetism in a generator?
To restore the small amount of residual magnetism necessary to begin voltage buildup, connect a 12 volt battery with a current limiting device to the exciter field while the generator is at rest, as follows: 1. Remove exciter field leads F+ and F- from the voltage regulator.
How do you Remagnetize a generator?
1:212:51How to Fix a Generator - Recharge a Generators Field With a DrillYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat you're going to do is going to pull the trigger. And you're going to run this thing backwards.MoreWhat you're going to do is going to pull the trigger. And you're going to run this thing backwards. Just like that now that will be enough to recharge.
Why is my golf cart generator not charging?
If your starter generator is not charging properly, it may be that the solenoid, voltage regulator or brushes are faulty. If you’ve ensured that all of these parts are working fine, the starter generator may not be drawing enough current to regenerate the battery.
What is a golf cart starter?
A golf cart starter primarily serves two functions; turning over the engine to start the cart and act as a key link in getting the battery charged. The starter has enough current to crank the engine. The generator converts the alternating current to direct current and recharges the battery.
What is battery regeneration?
The battery regeneration part involves the starter generator brushes, Solenoid and Voltage Regulator. The solenoid has to remain energized at all times to ensure that the return path via voltage regulator to the battery remains open. This return path is the route through which the current is returned to the battery to recharge it while the cart is running.
Why is my EZGO golf cart not charging?
This is because of the configuration of EZGO Golf carts. Almost all of the EZGO models have a setup that is foolproof to any generator failure. If the battery is not charging, it is usually the wiring or the voltage regulator. The possibility of having an starter generator that doesn’t charge the battery is very low.
How many volts does a starter generator have?
If the starter generator is showing 15 to 16 volts during the full field test, replace the voltage regulator.
What is a starter generator?
The starter generator is an electric motor that runs on the voltage drawn from the cart’s battery. After igniting and cranking the engine, when the starter generator is spinning at over 1200rpm, it starts converting the AC it produces to DC to regenerate the battery.
How to tell if solenoid is faulty?
A simple voltmeter or a multimeter set at voltage reading should be enough to identify a faulty solenoid.
Why is my golf cart starting with a bad starter generator?
You might even find yourself stranded once it fails to turn over the motor and start your golf cart. The starter generator generates current for the cart to operate on. It relies on the electromotive force supplied by the battery.
How to tell if a golf cart starter is bad?
The following are four common symptoms that of a bad golf cart starter generator. Turning the Key Doesn’t Turn the Cart On. This can happen if either your cart’s battery or starter generator is out of order. Check if the lights on your cart are working. If yes, then it’s a bad starter generator.
Why does my cart battery stop charging?
Your cart’s battery may stop getting charged after your starter generator starts overheating constantly. You can check if your battery is getting charged or not by simply connecting a meter to it.
What causes a starter generator to overheat?
The starter generator is attached to certain other components like brushes and pulley of the starter. When the connection between these components becomes loose, the flow of current in starter generator coil gets disturbed. This too can cause overheating of the starter generator.
Why is my starter generator not starting over?
This might happen if the power received by the starter generator is below the required 12volts from the battery.
How does a starter generator work?
The starter generator generates current for the cart to operate on. It relies on the electromotive force supplied by the battery. It consists of a coil of wire, which when moved produces a current in the coil. The coil is connected to the main axle of the cart for the necessary movement of wires. The starter generator doesn’t just generate current ...
What happens if a starter pulley is jammed?
Jammed Pulley of Starter. The pulley that connects the starter generator to the main axle of the cart can get rusted and jammed. This can impede its free movement . The rust may reach the starter generator as well making it necessary for you to replace the whole setup immediately.
Why won't my golf cart start?
Your golf cart won’t start if there is a problem with the fuel, airflow, or electrical system. Any one of these areas can cause your golf cart to fail to start. Try these steps to troubleshoot and pinpoint the exact failure point.
How to check if golf cart starter is corrosion?
Find the ignition wire on your golf cart. This runs from your ignition switch to the starter solenoid. Check this over for corrosion on either end and make sure you’ve got a tight connection. If the connections use a spade lug, pull the connection loose, wipe off the terminal, and plug it back in again. Try to start the cart now.
How to tell if a golf cart is bad?
Symptoms Of A Bad Solenoid 1 The first and most obvious symptom is the golf cart won’t start. If it is a gas-powered cart, the engine doesn’t turn over, and if it is an electric cart, the cart doesn’t move. 2 The engine on the gas-powered cart starts, but the starter doesn’t disengage after starting. When the contacts weld together, the power to the starter never stops and will result in destroying the starter, the wiring, or the flywheel. 3 The relay clicks and works sometimes, and sometimes it doesn’t. This can be a faulty wire connection, but can also mean the solenoid is beginning to fail. 4 The golf cart solenoid doesn’t click when the accelerator is pressed. This again can be faulty wiring or a failed solenoid. 5 The golf cart solenoid clicks, but nothing happens. This will sometimes be the result of burned contacts or contacts no longer coming in contact with each other as shown in the illustration at the bottom of this page. This can also be the result of not enough voltage amps reaching the solenoid control connection due to a low battery.
Why does my golf cart not click?
This can be a faulty wire connection, but can also mean the solenoid is beginning to fail. The golf cart solenoid doesn’t click when the accelerator is pressed. This again can be faulty wiring or a failed solenoid.
How to keep electric cart from being stationary?
The electric cart has many battery connections to be checked over and cleaned of all corrosion. A single battery failure in the battery pack could keep your cart stationary. Clean each of the terminals and tighten them back down.
How many hoses does a gasoline cart have?
The fuel pump on most gasoline powered carts usually has three hoses going to it. One is the gasoline in, one is the gasoline out, and the third is a hose that hooks to the crankcase vacuum.
How to check if a gas cart battery is charged?
First, you turn the key, press the pedal, and listen for a click. If nothing happens, it’s most likely an electrical issue. On gasoline carts, check the battery that turns the engine over to make sure it is charged. On Electric carts, the battery pack should be checked for a full charge.
