Golf Cart Running Slow? 5 Common Reasons Why
- Speed Sensor Issues. The speed sensor is an essential and critical part of golf cart operation that helps to ensure...
- Low Battery. Usually, the most common reason golf carts slow down is when they don't get enough power output from the...
- Forward/Reverse Switch Issues. It is essential to check the forward/reverse...
Why is my golf cart not working properly?
A bad or damaged solenoid could be the reason why your golf cart is not working correctly. Solenoid often stops working because of the following reasons. A bad or damaged solenoid can cause many other cart problems. Make sure to inspect it properly. If you find a damaged solenoid, the best thing is to take your cart to a garage.
What if my golf cart does run but only for a few minutes?
What If It Does Run, But Only For a Few Minutes? If your golf cart starts up fine and you're able to take it short distances, but find that after a few minutes it simply comes to a stop, you may be looking at a problem with your solenoids.
What happens when the gas pedal fails on a golf cart?
When this unit has failed, the golf cart will start up and possibly take off, without hesitation. And as you travel, no matter how firmly you press on the gas pedal, the cart will not accelerate - even if it does momentarily, you won't be able to maintain that level of acceleration.
Does your golf cart cut out at high speeds?
Have you been experiencing any of the above issues with your golf cart? Some people have experienced these issues where the golf cart works properly at normal speeds, but cuts out when driven at high speeds. If your golf cart cuts out at high speeds, then you might have to take a look at the internal mechanism to figure out what the issue is.
What causes a golf cart to just stop running?
When a Golf Car is shutting off without warning, it's because of low battery voltage, dead batteries, or because the solenoid coil is overheating. Low battery voltage: Sometimes a dip in the minimum voltages of both batteries causes the Golf Cart to turn off randomly.
What causes a golf cart to stall?
The most common reason why your golf cart is stalling is due to a bad solenoid or a faulty speed controller. What is this? The solenoid wears out every time the gas pedal is pressed down. The solenoid gets pressed down to a thin plate.
Why does my electric golf cart have no power?
The main reason why a EZGO golf cart can lose power is because the battery is not charging due to loose cables or the corrosion of the connecting terminals. If they become loose or some of the electrical circuits' connecting wires snap, the battery loses power.
How do I know if my electric golf cart motor is bad?
You have enough going on in your life without your golf car refusing to start when you turn the key in the ignition. If your golf car won't start, is slower than it used to be, or is experiencing other technical problems, you could have a bad motor on your hands.
How do you fix a golf cart that won't move?
When the cart won't move, you have to be sure that the batteries are sending sufficient power to the circuit. You must check the fuse. Use the voltmeter to check the voltage at the key switch. In a cart with batteries rated at 48V, it must show 48V at the key switch.
Why did my gas golf cart stop working?
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.
Where is the reset button on an electric golf cart?
First, you'll want to reset your motor. It should have a small reset button (Usually it will be red) located near the main battery supply. Hit the reset button and then put the cover back on the motor. The next step would be to recharge your cart and try turning it on again.
How do you know when your golf cart batteries need to be replaced?
Here are 4 signs you need to replace your golf cart batteries: It takes twice as long to charge your batteries as it did when you first had them installed. ... Your Golf Cart loses power very quickly. ... Your Golf Cart does not accelerate as fast as it used to. ... The batteries are leaking acid and are beginning to bulge.
How much does it cost to replace golf cart batteries?
Average Price of Golf Cart Batteries The average price of a golf cart battery replacement is going to be in the $800 to $1,500 range. Depending on the type of battery, it could even be in the $2,000 ballpark because powerful golf carts like a 72V need more expensive batteries installed.
What happens when an electric motor burns out?
When a motor burns out, a short circuit occurs in the windings and the motor ceases to turn. You can test for a short circuit by checking the resistance of the windings with an ohmmeter; a reading of 0 ohms (Ω) indicates a short.
What are the symptoms of a bad solenoid in a golf cart?
If your golf cart fails to turn on when you turn the key on, this is the most obvious sign of solenoid failure. The solenoid clicks a little with the ignition system in regular operation; in most cases, a failing solenoid will not snap.
How long do electric golf cart motors last?
Golf Cart Motor Just like solenoids (mentioned above), your golf cart motor works HARD. When properly taken care of, the typical gas or electric golf cart motor can last many, many years (20 to 30+).
Why does my golf cart stop running?
Your golf cart may stop frequently while running in case of a faulty spark plug, defective TCI/carburetor, or improperly seated internal baffles and airbox lid . Sometimes, an empty or close-to-empty fuel filler, low battery charge, a binding linkage, or a bad fuel pump can cause a golf cart to stop running. Faulty spark plug.
Why won't my golf cart run without a choke?
The golf cart may not run without choke because of a lean issue, cracked or broken crankcase seals, a clogged filter or main jet in the carburetor, a defective carburetor gasket, or unaligned timing gears and belt.
Why won't my 1996 EZGO run?
A 1996 EZGO won’t stay running if the muffler is plugged, reeds are flipped, the filter is clogged, or in case of too much or too little fuel in the fuel filter. Look out for a plugged muffler and clear it by following the steps given above in the section ’EZGO Marathon golf cart won’t stay running’.
Why won't my 1988 EZGO stay running?
A 1988 EZGO won’t stay running if the hooking of throttle cable or governor adjustment is not proper, the carburetor shaft is worn-out, or if the crank seals or a muffler is damaged. Check if the throttle cable is accidentally hooked up backward and if so, hook it in the proper direction.
Why won't my Yamaha G2 golf cart run?
A Yamaha G2 golf cart may stop running if the air box is warped, if it isn’t sealing properly, if the carburetor is dirty, or if the crankcase seals are damaged. Check for improper sealing or warping of the airbox.
Why does my 1994 EZGO stop?
A 1994 EZGO may stop frequently while running due to a dirty carburetor, a bad fuel pump, incorrect valve adjustment, loose timing pulleys, or shot intake valves. Clean the carburetor and all its parts thoroughly using a thin wire and carburetor cleaner.
How to fix a lean crankcase?
Fix the lean issue by ensuring that the carburetor cable is in good condition. If the carburetor opens up before the engine turns over when the accelerator is pressed, replace the accelerator cable. Check for cracked or broken crankcase seals and replace them as this can cause the crankcase vacuum to get lost.
1. Speed Sensor Issues
The speed sensor is an essential and critical part of golf cart operation that helps to ensure that cart runs smoothly and efficiently. It operates by measuring how fast you are driving and how much electricity is needed to maintain that speed. When the speed sensor ends up running into trouble, chances are your cart may end up running slowly.
2. Low Battery
Usually, the most common reason golf carts slow down is when they don't get enough power output from the battery. If the battery pack charge is very low and your cart is out of power, your cart will run slow.
4. Bearing Encoder Issues
The bearing encoder is an essential part of your golf cart that provides you with careful electrical charge distribution throughout your cart. It works by encoding various elements of your cart's operation and translating them to different impulses to keep the power running smoothly.
5 Ampacity Controller Fault
The Ampacity controller is a part of your cart that helps to manage the amperage that produces and uses as your cart drives. When this particular part malfunctions, you're going to run into some issues with your cart operation.
How to Increase your golf cart speed?
Are you looking to increase your golf cart speed? Learn more about how to make your golf cart go faster.
Why do electric golf carts fail?
These carts can start to show signs of wear and may fail just like any other vehicle over time.
What are the problems with electric golf carts?
These carts can start to show signs of wear and may fail just like any other vehicle over time. Learn about some of the more common issues associated with electric golf carts. 1. Solenoid Wear. The solenoid is the primary electrical switch in your golf cart and is designed to ensure the current from the battery flows into the motor. ...
What is the controller on a golf cart?
An electric golf carts' controller is known as the heart of the operation and closely resembles and operates much like the motherboard in a computer. So a problem with the controller will have rippling effects throughout the cart. A common function of the speed controller is to control the speed of the golf cart.
Why does my gas cart not work?
When you press down on the gas pedal and hear a tapping-like sound, this is the sound of the solenoid activating. When there is a disruption in the flow of the electrical current , your cart will not operate. A common reason for current disruption is solenoid wear.
What happens if your cart doesn't move?
If the cart doesn't move in either direction, both switches have failed. Diagnosing a problem with the direction switches isn't a complicated matter, but repairing the switch is more complex, especially if the switches are built into the speed controller.
Why won't my sped controller accelerate?
Problems with the sped controller occur for a variety of reasons, but most often the cause is degradation due to age or lack of use.
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 tell if a golf cart won't start?
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. 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 ...
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.
What causes a car to start when the spark plug is replaced?
If it sputters and tries to start, then the likely culprit is the fuel pump followed by the carburetor. The fuel pump on most gasoline powered carts usually has three hoses going to it.
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.
What to do if a gas cart key switch fails?
There should be a reading or continuity between any combination. If this is a gasoline cart, set the switch to “ON” and take a reading between the terminals. There should be continuity. If the key switch fails any of these tests, it’s worn out and should be replaced.
Do key switches wear out?
They do wear out from time to time. Before troubleshooting the key switch make sure that your forward-reverse switch is fully in the forward, reverse, or neutral position. Any space in between would cause an interruption in the electrical flow to the key switch.
Why won't my golf cart start?
Like any other electric vehicle, the batteries are mainly at the root of why your cart won't start. After all, they are the primary source of power for your electric golf cart. If your cart is not working, this is the first place to check. Generally, lead acid-based batteries are used for electric golf carts, and you must recharge them regularly so that they function correctly.
What is a direction switch on a golf cart?
The direction switch or forward/reverse switch controls whether the golf cart moves forward or backward. This switch is one of the most used parts in a golf cart, which means it will be subject to wear and tear. You'll find what the issue is if the switch is acting up. There is a big chance that it will need to be replaced. Again, it's best to choose a mechanic for repair.
Why does my golf cart make a winding noise?
If you’re golf cart motor is attempting to start, but it’s just making a winding noise instead of a compression noise, then you have a valve chain problem. These are very hard to diagnose, but if your interested, make sure to get a repair manual for your motor.
Why do golf cart lights work?
Lights. If driving in a heavy overcast, at night , or any other low light situation, your golf cart lights are the only way for you to see anything while driving. On top of this, your lights are used to signal braking and intention to turn to other drivers.
How does an electric golf cart controller work?
The controller works in conjunction with the inductive throttle controller to control the amount of power your motor receives. Basically it’s your throttle for electric power instead of fuel/air. It works pretty simply, when the accelerator is pushed down, the solenoid clicks on, and the controller will receive pack voltage. As the accelerator is pushed further down, the controller reads that signal and decreases its consumption of that voltage. This action controls the amount of power leaving the controller. Essentially, the more power your controller is using, the less your motor is getting and vice versa.
What is a solenoid in a golf cart?
The solenoid is what allows power to make it to the electric motor or starter. There is a little rod inside that gets popped out when you press the accelerator. This rod creates contact with the motor circuit allowing your golf cart to move. The solenoid will have four terminals, two big and two small.
What are the problems with golf cart brakes?
The most common concerns are squeals, grinding, and hard/soft stops. For squeals, the problem is usually that the shoes or drum are too dirty or wet.
What type of motor does a gas golf cart have?
Gas motors work pretty simply. Your golf cart most likely has a twin cylinder, 4-stroke engine.
What is the throttle system on a gas motor?
The whole system is usually mechanical with only one electrical switch that closes the starter circuit, thus starting your motor.
How to Find Out the Problem
Jack up your golf cart and try to turn one of the rear wheels. If the wheels don't turn, you're probably looking at a stripped axle. This will require service and replacement. If the wheels do turn, there are a few other issues that may be occurring here, such as a problem with the input shaft.
What If It Does Run, But Only For a Few Minutes?
If your golf cart starts up fine and you're able to take it short distances, but find that after a few minutes it simply comes to a stop, you may be looking at a problem with your solenoids. If these have begun to break down, you'll likely need to replace them in order to get your golf cart up and moving again.
