Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

Advice on troubleshooting Yamaha golf cart (electric and gas) and tips on resolving the issues
By
Phillip Ortiz
Phillip Ortiz
Expert Consultant
Phillip is a professional golf player who knows exactly what features to look for if you need perfect gear. Apart from golf, Phillip is fond of fishing and hunting.
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Reviewed By
Suzanne Holley
Suzanne Holley
Research Writer
Suzanne is a talented news reporter. She's also a freelance writer with our site being her major and most loved project. In her free time, Suzanne loves reading utopian nove read more
Last updated: August 11, 2023
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If your Yamaha golf cart is struggling to start or losing power very often, you have a faulty vehicle on your hands that needs fixing. Interestingly, you might not need to call a mechanic to solve some faults that your cart develops. All you need to do is apply easy solutions.
Hence, this article will focus on various steps for troubleshooting Yamaha golf cart. The electric models often encounter problems with their batteries, solenoids, and direction switches, while the gas variants often suffer engine, battery, and motor failures. Rest assured, each problem has simple fixes you can apply yourself.
So, ride along with us as we explain different steps for troubleshooting Yamaha golf cart.

Yamaha Electric Golf Cart Troubleshooting: Main Problems

Troubleshooting Yamaha electric golf cart starts with identifying its problem(s). You can’t do Yamaha electric golf cart troubleshooting without ascertaining what is wrong. Therefore, this section will explain the symptoms of various problems and what you can do to fix them.

Motor damage

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

For every vehicle that features a motor, motor damage is likely. The same is true for the Yamaha electric golf cart. If your cart can’t start or move, there’s a chance that the motor is damaged. Most times, all you need to do to get the motor back to life is resetting it. However, the damage is sometimes so serious that you might need to change it.

How to fix it

Before fixing your motor damage, you should ascertain whether it’s minor or major. If it’s minor, you reset the motor and get it working again without help. But a professional should be your next call if the motor has burnt out. Here are the steps to fix minor motor damage:

  • Use a screwdriver to disassemble the golf cart’s outer body.
  • Find the motor and expose it.
  • Look for a red button close to the main power supply. That button is the reset button.
  • Press the button for the motor reset. The reset corrects small errors that your motor might have encountered.
  • Reassemble the cart and return the screws to the appropriate positions.
  • Recharge the battery and restart the electric golf cart.
  • If the cart still refuses to start, the field coils or bearings might need a repair, which you need a professional for.

If all repair efforts fail, your cart needs a new motor. Many users say the D&D 170-010-0002 Golf Cart Motor boasts great quality. It is ideal if you own the Yamaha series 1992 and later.

Solenoid malfunction

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

The Yamaha electric golf cart needs a solenoid to work because this part transports electrical current Trusted Source Solenoid Valve Solenoid valves are control units which, when electrically energized or de-energized, either shut off or allow fluid flow. www.sciencedirect.com to the vehicle’s motor. It makes a clicking sound when you start your cart. If you don’t hear this sound, the solenoid is faulty.

How to fix it

  • Find the wire terminals and the solenoid in your cart. (Each Yamaha electric golf cart comes with a diagram that shows its internal system. So whether you want to do Yamaha 48 volt golf cart troubleshooting or Yamaha G2 golf cart troubleshooting, you can find a suitable image to inform you of where the solenoid is.)
  • Check the wires and see if they are well-connected to the solenoid. Reconnect them properly if they are loose. Replace any damaged wires.
  • If fixing the wires does not work, you’ll have to replace the solenoid, which requires some technical expertise. If you’re up for replacing the solenoid, use screwdrivers to remove the connected elements.
  • Then, take out the connected wires and place them to the side.
  • Next, remove the bad solenoid without tampering with any other connections.
  • Insert the new solenoid in the same enclosure the bad one sat in. Then, reconnect the wires.

Direction switch

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

The Yamaha electric golf cart’s direction switch helps the vehicle go forward and reverse. Once your cart refuses to move forward or backward, you have a direction switch problem that needs a solution. Almost all the time, there’s no quick fix for this problem. Once the direction switch is worn out, it needs a replacement.

How to fix it

  • Remove the screws holding the switch plate.
  • Then, carefully remove the plate from the cart hole, so you don’t tug the wires.
  • Disconnect the wires from the plate and note their positions.
  • Then, attach the wires to the relevant positions on the new direction switch.
  • Now, turn on the screws on the switch and test your cart’s forward and reserve motions.

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Battery voltage malfunction

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

The Yamaha electric golf cart’s battery is the vehicle’s main power source, which loses voltage with time. If your cart does not start, there’s a huge chance that the cause is a battery voltage malfunction.

How to fix it

  • Charge the battery until it can hold the charge.
  • Use a 12-volt charger to charge your battery if it has discharged so low that there’s no minimum voltage to start it.
  • Clean or get rid of the corrosion around the terminals with a solution of water and baking soda.
  • Fill the battery with electrolytes or water until you drown the conductive plates. Don’t overfill it.

If the aforementioned fixes do not work and the battery has been working for up to three years, it is likely dead. So, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.

Speed control reduction

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

Although direct switch malfunction can affect speed control, the potentiometer is the likeliest culprit. The potentiometer measures electric potential differences Trusted Source The Potentiometer The word potentiometer originally meant a device for measuring electric potential differences. Later, it also was applied to a tapped resistance used as a voltage divider. www.researchgate.net or how much charge the motor needs from the speed controller. If its ability to make this determination is affected, you’ll notice reduced control over the speed with your Yamaha electric golf cart.

How to fix it

Once you determine that you have a faulty potentiometer, you’ll need a new one, and we recommend seeking professional help. It’s quite difficult for a novice to replace a faulty potentiometer. But if you want to try your luck, here are simple steps to replace a potentiometer:

  • Open the vehicle’s hood and trace the wire from the cart’s foot pedal to the speed controller.
  • There’s a small part that the wire connects to before getting to the controller. Find that part; it’s the potentiometer.
  • Remove the potentiometer and insert the replacement.
  • Close the hood and test your cart’s speed control.

After getting your golf cart back on track, it’s back to playing. It helps your game to use a high-quality rangefinder. Find a suitable option among the best golf rangefinders under $300 we’ve reviewed.

Yamaha Gas Golf Cart Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Yamaha gas golf cart is a bit more complicated than troubleshooting an electric model. You’ll usually need professional help to fix your gas golf cart. Nevertheless, we will discuss several steps for Yamaha gas golf cart troubleshooting below.

Slow turning starter

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

A common problem with the Yamaha gas golf cart is a slow-turning starter. Your cart’s starter can turn slowly because of various issues. We will highlight those issues and their simple solutions below.

How to fix it

  • Check the motor for any sign of damage. If the problem is with the wires, change them. You’ll have to replace the starter motor if the changes don’t work. This process requires the help of a mechanic.
  • Open the engine and check for signs of damage. If you see simple issues that you can fix, repair them. Otherwise, call a professional to fix the engine issue(s).
  • Connect the wires to the right places in the engine. If you can’t identify the right connections, seek professional help.
  • Charge the battery. If it can’t hold the charge, replace it.

Now, you can return to playing and enjoying your game. If you can’t enjoy your game due to a bad club, you don’t have to spend a fortune to buy one of the best golf club sets under $500 on our list.

Cart won’t start

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

Another common problem with the Yamaha gas golf cart is the failure to start. Many factors may be at play when your cart doesn’t start. We’ll discuss the common ones and their solutions below.

How to fix it

  • If the fuse box is tripped or flipped, push it back to its original position and restart your golf vehicle. If the fuse flips again after restarting the cart, you may have a wiring issue that requires professional attention.
  • Check the key switch to see if it has worn out. Then, find the ignition wire and check whether it’s properly connected to the starter solenoid. If the wire keeps falling off, find a professional to replace the key switch.
  • Check the battery’s health by connecting its terminals to a voltmeter. Then, gauge how much electricity the voltmeter gets from the battery.
    You need a Yamaha golf cart battery charger troubleshooting if it’s getting nothing or a small amount of electricity. Recharge the battery for some hours. It’s important to charge the battery properly Trusted Source Seabrook Island family warns of golf cart chargers following fire A Seabrook Island family is raising the alarm after a rental golf cart ignited in their driveway, catching their home on fire. www.live5news.com to avoid a disaster. Also, clean the terminals to get rid of any corrosion. If the battery still doesn’t work, replace it.
  • You can’t do Yamaha gas-powered golf cart troubleshooting without checking if there’s sufficient fuel. The easy fix is refueling. And if you have a faulty fuel filter or a leakage, get a professional to repair it.

Motor doesn’t turn

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

If your Yamaha golf cart’s motor doesn’t turn, see how to fix the problem below.

How to fix it

  • Tighten the battery terminals and clean the corroded parts. If that doesn’t work, recharge your battery fully and replace it if it is faulty.
  • Replace the wire connection. If you need help, invite a mechanic.
  • Replace the ignition switch if it’s faulty.
  • Adjust the cart’s accelerator switch and listen for a clicking sound. If there’s none, replace the switch.

Engine power loss

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

Engine power loss is another problem you can’t rule out when using the Yamaha gas golf cart. This problem reduces or stops the cart’s movement. There are multiple causes and solutions for this problem.

How to fix it

  • Check the air filter and ensure that it’s not blocked. Clean the filter to unclog it. If it’s unrepairable, replace it.
  • Adjust the choke.
  • Fix the incorrect spark plug gap or replace the plug if it’s bad.
  • Check the ignition wiring and repair or replace it if there’s a need to.
  • Check the carburetor gasket to see if it’s leaking gas. Replace if it’s leaking gas.
  • Clean the carburetor and the gas lines.
  • Clean or replace the blocked gas tank vent.
  • Use only high-quality gas.

Sudden engine stop

 

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

If your cart’s engine stops suddenly, a few factors might be at play. But you can fix the problem.

How to fix it

  • Replace faulty spark plugs.
  • Change the carburetor if there’s damage to it.
  • Ensure that your battery is fully charged.
  • Ensure that there’s sufficient fuel in the fuel tank. Use only non-ethanol-based fuel.
  • Replace the fuel pump if it’s not in good condition.

Cart won’t reverse

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

The Yamaha gas golf cart can refuse to reverse if it runs into a problem.

How to fix it

  • Get rid of all the grease that may be clogging the shift fix.
  • Repair or replace the forward and reverse switch if required.
  • Seek professional help to replace a broken reverse controller.
  • Reconnect the wires appropriately to see if the cart reverses.
  • Replace the accelerator if you notice jerky movements.

Reset button doesn’t work

Troubleshooting Yamaha Golf Cart Guide: Easy Solutions for Complicated Problems

The reset button on your Yamaha gas golf cart is how you fix many problems. So, there’s a big problem if this quick fix doesn’t work.

How to fix it

  • Remove the cart’s motor cover with a screwdriver.
  • You’ll see a red button near the power source. That’s the reset button.
  • Check the wires that connect to the button and tighten them.
  • If there’s any damaged wire, replace it if you can.
  • If these fixes don’t work, ask for professional help.

Once you get your golf cart working again, enjoy your game with any of the best golf cart speakers we’ve reviewed.

Final Thoughts

Many people take unnecessary trips to the repair shop to fix their Yamaha golf carts. Many times, the issues they go to fix are so minimal that they can do them at home without help. Of course, Yamaha golf cart controller troubleshooting doesn’t always work to fix your vehicle, but it’s always worth the try.
Hence, this article has discussed various tips for troubleshooting Yamaha golf cart. Most tips can help people with little or no technical experience to get their golf vehicle back up and running. If you hit a roadblock in your efforts to troubleshoot your cart, visit a repair shop or invite a mechanic. Ultimately, we hope this guide has helped you with your cart problems.

References

1.
Solenoid Valve
Solenoid valves are control units which, when electrically energized or de-energized, either shut off or allow fluid flow.
2.
The Potentiometer
The word potentiometer originally meant a device for measuring electric potential differences. Later, it also was applied to a tapped resistance used as a voltage divider.
3.
Seabrook Island family warns of golf cart chargers following fire
A Seabrook Island family is raising the alarm after a rental golf cart ignited in their driveway, catching their home on fire.
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