Your golf cart is a great compact vehicle for the golf course, your neighborhood, and everywhere in between. But some basic maintenance problems are bound to happen. One common issue you may encounter is a golf cart that won’t start. Don’t worry — we are here to help. Keep reading to learn how to troubleshoot this problem and reach out to I-5 Motorpsorts with questions. We are located in Chehalis, Washington and proudly serve Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and more along I-5.

Troubleshooting a Gas Golf Cart

If your golf cart is gas powered, there are a few key steps you can take to address start issues. 

Fuses

Sometimes big problems are caused by simple parts. Start the troubleshooting process by checking the fuses. Check the inside panel to locate the fuses and see what rating they have. Then test the fuse to see if it is actually blown.

The Key or Ignition Switch

Assuming you have already checked the battery to see if it is charged, the next step if your golf cart won’t start is to check the key switch. These can wear out over time. Locate the ignition wire and check for corrosion on either end. Ensure the connection is tight. A simple cleaning of the terminal should do the trick if that was the problem. If this doesn’t make the vehicle start, you’ll need to test the key switch. 

Troubleshooting an Electric Golf Cart

If you have an electric golf cart, you’ll follow a few different troubleshooting steps to fix a start issue.

Check the Battery

As you may have guessed, the best place to start when trying to get an electric golf cart to start is with the battery. You may be wondering how to tell if the battery is going bad. We are here to help. Physical signs that a battery is reaching its end of life include cracks, bulging sides, and leaking acid. Use a multimeter to test out the battery. If your battery is working fine, it’s time to move on to a different troubleshooting step.

A Draining Battery

You may find that your golf cart’s battery is being drained at an extremely fast rate. In this case, disconnect the negative battery cable ground wire and connect it to a multimeter. If you’ve turned everything off and are still getting a reading, you have a faulty part in the electrical system.

We hope this troubleshooting guide helps you address any issues you have getting your vehicle to start. If you have any questions or you want to buy a new golf cart, contact I-5 Motorsports in Chehalis, Washington today. We are proud to serve cities along I-5 including Portland, Astoria, Vancouver, and more. When you need a motorsports vehicle, all that’s left to do is give us a call!