My golf cart won’t move when the pedal is pressed all the way

Every time I fully press the pedal down on my golf cart, it just stalls and won’t move. It’s like it’s teasing me – a little movement and then nothing.

Response

I had this happen with my Yamaha G22 golf cart. I fixed the issue by replacing the battery with a new one.


Solutions That Worked for Users

SolutionUsers Who Found SuccessApprox. Cost (USD)Approx. Time Needed (Minutes)
Wiring Issue Resolution1$0-5030-60
Battery Load Testing1$0-20 (if done personally)20-40
Bypassing the Solenoid1$0-20 (if done personally)20-40

Symptoms

  • Golf cart hesitates or stalls when the pedal is fully pressed.
  • Initial movement followed by a sudden stop.
  • Audible clicking noise without movement.

Possible Causes

  • Faulty or loose electrical wiring connections.
  • Deteriorating battery performance, especially in older units.
  • Solenoid issues preventing power flow to the motor.

Solutions That Worked

  1. Wiring Issue Resolution
    • What I Did: Inspected and repaired any electrical wiring faults.
    • Outcome: The golf cart resumed normal operation.
    • Personal Experience: Found a disconnected wire hidden under a bundle of cables. Reconnecting it did the trick.
    • Estimated Cost: $0-50 (if done personally)
    • Time Needed: 30-60 minutes
    • Steps:
      1. Begin with a visual inspection of all visible wires.
      2. Use a multimeter to check for continuity in suspect wires.
      3. Look for any signs of fraying, corrosion, or disconnection.
      4. Carefully reconnect or replace damaged wires, ensuring secure connections.
      5. Test the cart after each repair to pinpoint the exact issue.
    • Expert Tip: Keep your wiring diagram handy for reference. This can be a lifesaver when tracing complex wiring paths.
  2. Battery Load Testing
    • What I Did: Conducted a detailed load test on each battery.
    • Outcome: Identified weak or failing batteries.
    • Personal Experience: One of the batteries was significantly underperforming, replacing it solved the issue.
    • Estimated Cost: $0-20 (if done personally)
    • Time Needed: 20-40 minutes
    • Steps:
      1. Fully charge your golf cart batteries before testing.
      2. Connect a voltmeter to each battery in turn.
      3. Note the voltage reading under no load, and then under load.
      4. Compare readings to the standard values for your specific battery type.
      5. Replace any batteries that show significant voltage drops under load.
    • Expert Tip: Regularly cleaning battery terminals and ensuring tight connections can prevent many power issues.
  3. Bypassing the Solenoid
    • What I Did: Temporarily bypassed the solenoid for diagnostic purposes.
    • Outcome: Determined the solenoid’s functionality.
    • Personal Experience: The cart ran when the solenoid was bypassed, indicating other potential issues.
    • Estimated Cost: $0-20 (if done personally)
    • Time Needed: 20-40 minutes
    • Steps:
      1. Locate the solenoid; it’s usually near the battery or controller.
      2. Disconnect the main power source before handling the solenoid.
      3. Connect the two large terminals of the solenoid with a jumper wire.
      4. Attempt to run the cart. If it runs, the solenoid may be faulty.
      5. Replace the solenoid if necessary, ensuring correct orientation and connection.
    • Expert Tip: Always wear safety glasses when working around electrical components to protect your eyes from sparks.

Golf Cart Models Where This Worked

  • Various models, including both electric and gas-powered carts.
  • Specific years and models were not detailed in the threads.

Extra tips

  • Battery Maintenance: Regularly check your battery water levels and refill with distilled water as needed. This can significantly extend battery life.
  • Solenoid Clicks: If the solenoid clicks but the cart doesn’t move, it’s often a sign of either a bad solenoid or issues in the controller or connections.
  • Uncommon Solution: In some rare cases, a malfunctioning throttle sensor can cause similar issues. If the above solutions don’t work, consider checking the throttle sensor.

Ernie

Ernie loves documenting interesting facts about golf.

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