Outdoors
Sponsored by

Gas golf cart won't start up

2,450 Views | 27 Replies | Last: 3 mo ago by Kenneth_2003
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:53p, 9/9/25
AG
Awhile back some of you helped me repair this old golf cart and it's acting up again, can't get it running

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3454197/replies/67328060

At the moment the engine does nothing when I put the key in drive. The lights turn on and backup noise happens when I put it in reverse but no movement. Previously it would make an idling noise but not now

Has the battery checked out and seemed just fine.

I'm a bit of a noob working on this thing and don't really know where to start

Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks and gig em



Reply Quote
JSKolache
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:48p, 9/9/25
AG
Reply Quote
28
fullback44
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:43a, 9/10/25
AG
If it's a gas golf cart and your batteries are good then the starter is not working. Good chance it's just the brushes on the starter. I had a gas golf cart down in Port A for 10 years, when the salt would rust up the brushes on the starter motor it wouldn't go. Look on YouTube, it probably tells you how to pull the starter generator and clean the brushes, you may not need to buy new brushes, just pull those off and clean them with a wire brush or some sand paper.. just get the rust or dark color off of them. If they are worn down like in the video you will need to get some new brushes

This may help



One last thing.. make sure that belt you put on is not too tight or in a bind, if it's too tight that little starter generator won't have the power to turn the engine and belt.. something tells me it's your brushes


Other than that… I wouldn't be of any help

Reply Quote
6
5 edits
texican08
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:32a, 9/10/25
AG
Agree with fullback. If not that, then the carb. Had the same issue with mine last year and I had to replace my carb. I've started buying the cheap Chinese ones off of amazon and adding that to my annual maintenance. I'll swap that out when I change the oil.
Reply Quote
Milwaukees Best Light
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:42a, 9/10/25
AG
Also inspect the wires to the starter.
Reply Quote
4
Kenneth_2003
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Milwaukees Best Light • 8:53a, 9/10/25
AG
Milwaukees Best Light said:
Also inspect the wires to the starter.

Was going to suggest this as well. Make sure you're getting power to the starter and that the ground is in good shape.
Reply Quote
2
ought1ag
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:23a, 9/10/25
AG
we have an older gas cart that has a toggle switch and just had a problem of having one of the wires come unplugged from the back of the switch.
Reply Quote
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to JSKolache • 10:44a, 9/10/25
AG
JSKolache said:

I wish that were it
Reply Quote
2
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to fullback44 • 10:49a, 9/10/25
AG
Thanks! I'll give that a shot, somewhere to start. The golf cart repair shop wants an arm and a leg just to come pick it up.

The guy at AutoZone also mentioned checking the starter over very thoroughly.

Adding some pics for documentation sake, this thing is old and needs some TLC. I need to clean up the positive battery terminal.

I see a random wire that seems disconnected but no sign of the other end anywhere









Reply Quote
Agape91
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:53a, 9/10/25
AG
Can you jump the posts on the solenoid and make the starter spin? Usually the first step when an engine is not turning over.
Reply Quote
6
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Agape91 • 11:21a, 9/10/25
AG
Agape91 said:
Can you jump the posts on the solenoid and make the starter spin? Usually the first step when an engine is not turning over.


I'll try and give that a shot, to be clear, mine does not even make this idle sound @ about 420 in this video.

Reply Quote
Milwaukees Best Light
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:47a, 9/10/25
AG
If you get that thing running again, where will the squirrels live?
Reply Quote
10
Mr. Thunderclap McGirthy
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:54a, 9/10/25
AG
Looking at that engine has me missing the past.

I loved the days you could crawl inside the engine compartment.
In Hoc Signo Vinces
Reply Quote
4
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:59a, 9/10/25
AG
Fuse seems alright, here's all the connections under the box



Reply Quote
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:01p, 9/10/25
AG
Also, when I put it in reverse, it makes the backup chime, but when I put the pedal down, it kills the chime
Reply Quote
Kenneth_2003
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:07p, 9/10/25
AG
Golf cart... So use the key to turn the unit on but the gas pedal is the actual switch where you depress the pedal to both start the unit and go.

So there should be some sort of switch on the pedal that goes to (I presume a relay) that ultimately closes to send battery power to the starter.

Verify when the pedal is pressed that power is at the relay. Is that relay closing? Is there power to the starter? Is there a bad ground somewhere along the way?

Check for 12V between battery (+) and starter body (-). That should confirm a good ground to the starter. Then you can start chasing 12V power from the pedal to the starter motor.
Reply Quote
2
texican08
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:31p, 9/10/25
AG
Agree on the ground notion. That random wire coming from the battery you mentioned should probably be grounded to the frame somewhere.
Reply Quote
AceAggie05
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to AgsMyDude • 1:26p, 9/10/25
AG
AgsMyDude said:
Also, when I put it in reverse, it makes the backup chime, but when I put the pedal down, it kills the chime

I don't know anything about golf carts, but to me this sounds like there's a problem with the battery connection, or between it and the motor.

I have seen several times, where someone will get in their car, put the key in. Everything lights up. The second they turn the key, it all shuts down. Every time I've seen this, it's been the battery connection being too loose on the post. Not saying it's the same thing with your golf cart, but the fact that when you apply power (just like turning a key in a car) it shuts off, makes me think it's something along those lines.
Reply Quote
3
fullback44
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
1:26p, 9/10/25
AG
Man with all that rust you could have all kinds of problems - I would bet wires and grounds are trashed somewhere - I don't even know where to start- prob w air hose and clean all that crap away from the motor area and wires then new terminals at the batteries and go towards your starter who knows it could be bad wiring to the starter key switch

And yes, with all that rusty wire I see why a golf cart shop would need time and money to get that fixed
Reply Quote
7
3 edits
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:12p, 9/10/25
AG
I tried jumping the solenoid and nothing happens. I had it in reverse so I heard the back up chime going. When I jump the solenoid, nothing happens with the starter, and the chime goes away.
Reply Quote
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to AceAggie05 • 5:28p, 9/10/25
AG
AceAggie05 said:
AgsMyDude said:
Also, when I put it in reverse, it makes the backup chime, but when I put the pedal down, it kills the chime

I don't know anything about golf carts, but to me this sounds like there's a problem with the battery connection, or between it and the motor.

I have seen several times, where someone will get in their car, put the key in. Everything lights up. The second they turn the key, it all shuts down. Every time I've seen this, it's been the battery connection being too loose on the post. Not saying it's the same thing with your golf cart, but the fact that when you apply power (just like turning a key in a car) it shuts off, makes me think it's something along those lines.


I think you're right. I have a few things to try now. I'll get to work with the multimeter.

If not I'll just have to pay the fee for the repair shop to come grab it
Reply Quote
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to texican08 • 5:29p, 9/10/25
AG
texican08 said:
Agree with fullback. If not that, then the carb. Had the same issue with mine last year and I had to replace my carb. I've started buying the cheap Chinese ones off of amazon and adding that to my annual maintenance. I'll swap that out when I change the oil.


Mind linking your carb?
Reply Quote
HoldMyBeer
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to AgsMyDude • 5:30p, 9/10/25
AG
If the starter is locked up (frozen), then when you try starting it will draw a lot of current and pull the battery voltage down, possibly low enough that the chime won't operate. This is made worse by dirty, corroded electrical connections. Again, connect the voltmeter at the + and - terminals of the starter and see what happens when the pedal is pressed.
Reply Quote
3
1 edit
texican08
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to AgsMyDude • 6:14p, 9/10/25
AG
Here you go.

https://www.amazon.com/Carburetor-Precedent-1018056-01-101805601-1019056-01/dp/B081Y28VB6/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?crid=1GZF4JXO4ET2V&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-7KfOZPRO6wR0e4IkY-IOyHn_25eebXAyG71XMvMtmt6b9ijbf2wny3POZS_UHh6s1QfgByR_W-m9WBbbeKf4XwBITw-_jO99TJ68cSN6aAhEns8Yycl61iAiho27M_RTaKHZ_htYWoxZB7rjIr8LtHG4EXCE3g-54p077DjZ9vJCogaCKH7A_GcT4eGVweIEqpUdRf7K43o-ikeOFzfBg.rvQ_h_a_FguPjR9pzxKEvG7_58iu7TrhgSMS_mS7zdA&dib_tag=se&keywords=2004+club+car+ds+carburetor&qid=1757546008&sprefix=2004+club+car+ds+carb%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-7
Reply Quote
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to HoldMyBeer • 1:26p, 9/11/25
AG
Just to confirm these are the wires coming from the solenoid to the starter?
Reply Quote
HoldMyBeer
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to AgsMyDude • 3:22p, 9/11/25
AG
Yes, I believe so. Another way to check would be to disconnect the wire from the solenoid to the starter, then press the pedal. Obviously with the wire disconnected, the engine won't start but if the backup chime continues sounding then you likely have a locked up starter. There was an earlier post about corroded brushes, which may be the culprit. Can the starter be turned by hand at all?
Reply Quote
AgsMyDude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:33p, 10/5/25
AG
Made progress today!

Ended up replacing both battery posts and a couple connectors.

And with that the solenoid finally had power and engine tried to fire up. But fuel wasn't getting pumped out of the tank.

Opened up the fuel pump and it's toast so guess the carb is too. Need to try and find the right parts online.

Found a moniker on the engine that said Robin Eh29c so the research begins

Fuel pump in bad shape
Reply Quote
3
1 edit
Kenneth_2003
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:34p, 10/5/25
AG
This goes without saying seeing that picture, but get the fuel tank out, drain it, and clean it out.
Reply Quote
1
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.