Ultimate Guide on Electric Yamaha Golf Cart Troubleshooting

Did your electric Yamaha golf cart lose power or break down suddenly without any warning? There could be a few issues that your electric Yamaha golf cart could run into that cause such inconvenience. 

An electric Yamaha golf cart faces multiple functional problems due to the failure of some of its electric parts. The main issues an electric Yamaha golf cart has are batteries or motor dysfunction. Apart from these, lack of speed control, faulty solenoids, or direction switches can also cause problems in an electric Yamaha golf cart.

Troubleshooting an electric Yamaha golf cart is not that difficult if you know how to do it. In this article, you will find electric Yamaha golf cart troubleshooting with their easy solutions.

Electric Yamaha Golf Cart Troubleshooting Guide With Easy Solutions

What Are the Common Problems With Electric Yamaha Golf Carts?

You might notice the golf cart slowing down or powering off abruptly after using it for a long time.

You will be able to easily detect the problems by following this guide and fixing them.

Here are some of the most common problems an electric Yamaha golf cart has:

  1. Lack of Voltage In the Battery 
  2. Damaged Motor 
  3. Lack of speed control 
  4. Absence of Energy From The Solenoids
  5. Faulty direction switch 

Electric Yamaha Golf Cart Troubleshooting Guide With Easy Solutions

Now that we are aware of the possible problems an electric Yamaha golf cart can run into, you’ll need to know more about each of these issues.

We will cover the symptoms, the causes, and the solutions to these problems so that you can fix your golf cart easily.

Problem 1: Lack Of Voltage In The Battery

The battery of the electric golf cart is the main power source of the vehicle, which loses voltage over time. 

Since batteries are usually the cause of an electric golf cart not starting, it should be the first place you need to check. Loss of voltage and corroded battery terminals stop the battery from starting. 

Troubleshooting Lack of Voltage In The Battery on an Electric Yamaha Golf Cart

Needless to say, the battery should be the first thing you check once you start troubleshooting your electric golf cart. Batteries can simply lose their voltage and efficiency over time.

But if the lifespan of the battery is not over in general, the issue could lie somewhere else. A few things can create battery issues on an electric golf car, such as-

  • A dead battery
  • Water or the electrolytes inside the battery is not enough.
  • The battery was left uncharged for a long time.
  • Corroded or dirty battery terminals

How To Fix The Lack of Voltage In The Battery On Electric Yamaha Golf Carts?

If your battery is completely dead, you will need to replace it with a new one. A battery usually lasts from 3 to 5 years.

So, it is unlikely that you will definitely need the replacement. Some of the other fixes for this problem are-

  • Fully charge your battery until it continues to take charge.
  • Your battery can discharge so much that even the minimum voltage to start it is not available. In that case, use a 12-volt charger in order to charge the battery.
  • Clean the corrosion around the battery terminals and cables with a mixture of baking soda and water.
  • Fill the batteries with water or electrolytes until the conductive plates drown. Do not overfill them.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Lack of Voltage In The Battery On An Electric Yamaha Golf Cart?

The cost needed to fix this problem depends on what action you need to complete.

Charging the battery, filling up water, or cleaning the terminals doesn’t cost anything at all.

  • If you are getting a new battery, it will cost you $800 to $1,500.
  • A set of new battery cables will cost around $20.

Problem 2: Damaged Motor

Like most other motors, the motor of the electric golf cart might also cause some problems at times.

If you have already checked the battery and it is perfectly fine, then it is time to move on to the motor.

Check the motor for any kind of damage or bruises on the exterior body. The motor could simply need a reset in most cases.

Remove the motor and test it out with a fully charged battery. If the motor doesn’t react, it is burned out. 

Troubleshooting Damaged Motor on Electric Yamaha Golf Cart

Burning out a motor needs some very specific actions. A motor is not usually all burned out very easily. A very few things can cause key switch problems on a gas golf car, such as:

  • Insufficient traction
  • Excess resistance to weight and grade
  • The electric golf cart might have been used on too steep a surface.
  • The motor could be overloaded.

How To Fix A Damaged Motor On An Electric Yamaha Golf Cart

If the motor only needs minor repair, you can do that yourself. However, if the motor is burnt out, you should replace the motor with a professional.

  • Take a screwdriver to get the outer body of the cart off.
  •  Find the motor inside and expose it.
  • There will be a red button near the main power supply.
  • Press the red button to reset the motor. It will act as a circuit breaker for the motor and correct small errors.
  • Reassemble the electric golf cart.
  • Charge up the battery.
  • Try starting it again and see if the issue is resolved.
  • If the electric golf cart still does not start, repair the bearings and field coils.
  • In case all of the above methods fail, you need to install a new motor.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix The Damaged Motor On An Electric Yamaha Golf Cart?

If you need to invest in a new motor, the cost can be anywhere from $300 to $1,000. It will depend on what type and what powered motor you are getting. The minor repairs, such as field coils and bearings, will only cost you $23-$30.

Problem 3: Absence of Energy From the Solenoids

The solenoid of the electric golf cart is a cylindrical coil of wire that carries electrical current to the motor. You can hear the clicking sound of the coil when you start the electric golf cart. 

A faulty solenoid will not make a clicking sound when you press on the accelerator. It means the solenoid doesn’t provide energy to the motor for the electric golf cart to start.

Troubleshooting Absence of Energy From The Solenoids on the electric Yamaha Golf Cart

A faulty solenoid can be the result of a series of malfunctions in the activation circuit wires and corrosion.

You will need to locate the solenoid in the electric Yamaha golf cart and check for the following conditions:

  • A loose wire in the activation circuit.
  • Activation switches are not working in the correct order.
  • Overheated contacts
  • Too cold or worn out battery coil 
  • Corroded solenoid

How To Fix The Absence Of Energy From The Solenoids On An Electric Yamaha Golf Cart?

If fixing small coils and wires doesn’t work out, you will need to replace the solenoid.

Replacing a solenoid is pretty complex, so it is best to let an experienced person complete this job. The necessary steps to replace the solenoid include the following:

  • Find the locations of the solenoid and the wire terminals in the electric Yamaha golf cart. You can use a diagram that comes with the model for this.
  • Carefully find the connected elements of the solenoid. 
  • Use proper screwdrivers and wrenches to remove or take apart the elements.
  • Remove the connected wires from the solenoid and place it to the side.
  • Take out the bad solenoid carefully without disturbing any of the wires or connections much.
  • Put your new solenoid in a specific place and reconnect the wires properly as before.  

How Much Does It Cost To Fix The Absence of Energy From The Solenoids On An Electric Yamaha Golf Cart?

There are many different types of solenoids available on the market for different models and vehicles.

A single solenoid can cost from $15 to $100, and a pack of solenoids can cost from $50 to $300.

  • Mechanic’s cost: $120-$400
  • Parts/replacement cost: $15-$300

Problem 4: Lack of Speed Controls or Faulty Direction Switch

The electric Yamaha golf cart faces trouble maintaining speed because the switch wears out over time. It is the same issue with the direction switch as well.

The more you put the golf cart in forward and reverse order, the more the direction switch starts developing problems. Both of these will result in a loss of control over direction and speed.

Troubleshooting Speed Controls Or Direction Switches On Electric Yamaha Golf Cart

The main cause behind the lack of speed controls is a faulty potentiometer. The potentiometer allows the electric golf cart to run smoothly.

So, check up on the potentiometer to locate the reason behind this problem. Look out for a few things that cause this issue, such as-

  • The potentiometer can have broken parts.
  • There could be disconnected wires inside the potentiometer.
  • The electrical signal on the potentiometer might not match the range in the controller.
  • The control lever in the potentiometer could slip and misplace the electrical signals.
  • The direction switch can wear out over time because of repeated usage.

How To Fix Speed Controls Or Direction Switches On An Electric Yamaha Golf Cart?

There is a highly unlikely chance that you will be able to fix a faulty potentiometer by yourself.

Even if you know the exact issue, it is very hard to repair the cracks between the potentiometer. 

For a bad direction switch, it is best to just replace it with a new switch. No amount of repair will get you the same actions of the direction switch back.

For both of these fixes, bringing in a professional is the best option you have. You can also bring the electric Yamaha golf cart to a repair shop to get it fixed properly.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix Speed Controls Or Direction Switches On An Electric Yamaha Golf Cart?

Fixing the speed controls of your electric Yamaha golf cart will cost about $175- $520. The repair service for this is really expensive because of the toughness of the job. 

In addition, the direction switch replacement will only cost about $33. The forward and reverse handle with it will cost $21.

Conclusion

To avoid spending a hefty amount of money on repairs, you need to minimize the possible damage to your vehicle. This electric Yamaha golf cart troubleshooting guide reminds you to always make sure that the battery is fully charged and the water level is over the conductive plates. 

Don’t put too much strain on the motor by continuously driving on a steep surface. Check up on the solenoid, speed controls, and the direction switch periodically. 

If you take good care of the separate parts of your electric Yamaha golf cart, you can ensure a long and good run with it. If you feel too out of depth, contact a mechanical expert for troubleshooting.

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