Golf Cart Making Whining Noise
Golf carts can sometimes make some very weird noises. While these noises may not be particularly dangerous, they can be irritating and possible a sign of damage.
If you want your golf cart to last you for many years to come, you’ll want to investigate and fix such noises.
I have created this handy guide to help you troubleshoot any golf cart noises or sounds you’re experiencing with your golf cart.
One of the commonly noticed golf cart sounds is a whining noise. If you can hear a whining noise coming from your golf cart, then it could be because of damaged motor bearings, or the fluid oil needs to be replaced.
The whining noise could be caused by the input shaft bearings. These are pretty easy to change and are available in most of the shops. The bearings are fixed to the differentials and could cause the whining noise once their life span is over. You could either try changing them yourself or take it to a dealer to get it changed.
On the other hand, these noises could also be caused by the motor bearings. To identify what is causing this noise, you can drive the cart up a hill and slowly decelerate while coming down.
While coming down the hill, try to roll it down without much power being put in. If the noise persists, the issue would be due to some physical parts like the bearings or gear.
If you find that the noise is absent during the downhill phase; it must be caused by an issue with the motor or the electrical fittings.
Normally, changing the fluid can help make the noise go away. For example, the users of EZYGO RXV tried changing the fluid to 85-140 which was recommended by EZ-GO and found that this fixed their noise issues.
Using the correct fluid recommended by the company could help solve the issues in a lot of cases.
How to Fix Golf Cart Whining Noise in the Rear End
One of the common problems found in golf carts is a constant whining noise during the ride. This noise is usually found coming from the rear end and would seem to originate from one of the parts at that end.
Method #1 – Inspecting Golf Cart Motor Bearings, Gears & Couplings
- If you find that the noise is present when you accelerate but goes off when you remove your foot from the pedal, then this issue could mostly relate to the gears or the motor.
- You can easily check out the motor and gears to identify where the sound is coming from. A motor guide is easy to obtain at all the service centers and it may even be found online. You can thoroughly check out the parts in the motor guide and compare it with your cart’s motor to try to identify the source of the issue.
- You will need to check out the motor, couplings, bearings, and the input shaft thoroughly to find out where the noise comes from. These are the usual problem areas in a golf cart and any issues in these areas could cause the whining noise.
- If you find that the issue is too complicated or are unable to find it, then you may have to enlist the help of a service center professional. They can easily identify the source of the noise and fix it for you.
Method #2 – Changing RE Fluid in Golf Cart
- Another simple fix that seems to work for a lot of people is changing the RE fluid. If the fluid is too thick or the level of the fluid is too low, a whining noise may occur. Hence, changing this fluid or refilling it can fix this issue.
Golf Cart Making Grinding Noise
If your golf cart is making a weird grinding noise while it is running, the issue could be due to bearings. Normally, we find that the cart makes a kind of groaning and grinding noise that can be very irritating. This is usually due to a problem with one of the physical or mechanical parts.
- The bearings are important in any kind of motor set up. If your bearings are old or have some sort of damage, then the cart might give out the grinding noise. Consider getting the bearings replaced periodically to avoid this kind of noise.
- Another problem could be due to the failure of the spindle nut, brake drum, or the hub mechanism. This can be easily identified by asking someone to watch the nut while you accelerate and brake at the same time.
- If the spindle nut spins away while you are doing this, it indicates that the brake/ hub mechanism has a fault. These are easy to fix but may require you to take the cart to a service provider.
- There is a spacer attached to the vehicle under the rear tire on the driver’s side. This can be found between the transaxle and the tire.
- If the spacer is loose, it could cause some grinding noise from the rear end. Check whether the axle is spinnable by hand and if so, it is indeed loose. You need to tighten the nut to fix the grinding noise.
These are some of the common problems faced by people using golf carts. In most of the cases, the grinding sounds could be due to the spindle nut or the brake mechanism.
Identifying the exact source of the issue is the main thing you need to do first. Once you have identified the problem it is easy enough to fix it.
Golf Cart Making Buzzing Noise
Your cart could make another sort of noise due to some internal problems. Are you hearing a strange buzzing noise coming from your cart? Well, it could turn out that the issue is a minor one and can be resolved rather quickly.
Method #1 – Let Cart Dry After Washing It
If you hear a buzzing noise after pressure washing your golf cart, it could be due to water getting under the floorboards.
The best solution for this is to let the water dry up well before using the cart. In most cases, the buzzing sound does not come back and the issue is resolved.
Method #2 – Remove & Dry F&R Switch Wires
If the buzzing sound on your golf cart doesn’t stop, it could mean that the water has entered the F&R switch. You could try removing the switch from the switch housing and take out the wires. Rewire them back after wiping any water droplets in them. Take extra precaution when you are handling the wires and other such electrical components as they could cause a shock.
Method #3 – Disconnect Wires from Buzzer
If you experience the buzzing noise even after the cart is switched off, it could be due to water on the battery wires. The buzzer might drain out the battery if you don’t find a way to switch it off.
The wires from the buzzer could have got short-circuited and this could cause the buzzing sound.
Try identifying the wires connected and disconnecting one of them. This should disconnect the buzzer from the cart and thus stop the buzzing noise.
Usually, if the F&R switch has got a problem, then the speed of the cart will be affected. This can act as an identifier as to whether it is the switch or the buzzer that has water droplets in it.
Allowing the parts to dry thoroughly before using the cart again can help solve the issue.
Golf Cart Making Clicking Noise
Golf carts are known for producing some sort of clicking noise when they go at a certain speed, after a certain period of usage. This is quite common and nothing to worry about.
Method #1 – Inspect Wheel Bearings
The most common reason why you’re hearing a buzzing noise from your golf cart would be due to wheel drums rubbing against some other piece of equipment.
Inspect the wheels and the wheel bearings carefully and see if you can spot the problem. Fixing the bearings will most likely make the noise go away.
Method #2 – Loose Bolts
Loose bolts and nuts have also been known to cause of clicking noises on a golf cart. The bolts can make the wheels or the bearings make a clicking sound.
Try jacking up the rear of the cart and checking for loose bolts and nuts.
Method #3 Use Friction Modifier
In some cases using some friction modifier could help with the clicking noise. Too much friction has been known to cause clicking sounds in golf carts.
Applying some friction modifier may help with the issue. Ball bearings, as well as the nuts, could have some natural wear and tear happening to them. This wear and tear could also cause friction issues.
Method #4 Check for Stuck Rocks On Tires
Rocks stuck in tires could also be a cause of clicking noise. Also, check for bad armatures or armatures with bad spots as these could cause the sound. The bad armatures occur only in electric golf carts and not in the gas carts.
Excess tension in the brake cables could also cause overloading of the brakes. Verify that the brake cables are not overloaded and are free to work efficiently. Sometimes the brake pedals become tight and do not function normally during a run.
Golf Cart Making Beeping Noise
In some cases, beeping sounds are heard when you are trying to reverse the golf cart. This is one of the most common problems faced by cart owners. This beeping sound may also be heard during a normal drive but most people have reported hearing it when the vehicle is being reversed.
In some cases, the vehicle may also have this issue while just moving it in the reverse. A small number of people have found this issue to occur when the cart is parked in neutral.
Method #1 – Replace Golf Cart Solenoid
Replacing the solenoid is one way of solving this problem. In most of the cases, the solenoid could have caused the issue of beeping sound so you can try replacing it.
Method #2 – Replace F&P Switch
The buzzer wires could have gone haywire or may have gone into the F&P switch. This may need to be replaced for the issue to be solved.
Method #3 – Change the Tires
If you’re using custom tires the issue could sometime stem from that. Carts are designed to carry only a certain load for a distance of about 250 yards. Changing the tires may put them under a great deal of pressure with respect to its torque.
Right from the solenoid, to the controller, to the high current cables, all the parts will need to be replaced.
You will have to calculate the battery pack and performance factors to find out the ideal cabling and solenoid requirements for your cart.
If all these efforts fail, you could try checking the batteries or the motor. If either of these has shorted out or has had a malfunction, then the beep sound may be heard. Checking the battery pack and the controller can give you a good idea of whether the issue originates from them or not.
Problems with your golf cart solenoid?
Read my Solenoid Troubleshooting Guide