Intermittent starting issue
 

I have some experience with CC DS electric carts, but was asked to look at a gas DS for a friend. It doesn't always try to start when he depresses the pedal. More often when it's cooler weather and more often in forward than reverse.

I see there is a micro switch in the system that seems to be working as expected, from there I'm just blundering along. Any suggestions of how to proceed are welcome.

Re: Intermittent starting issue
 

Is it just doing nothing at all (no noise or anything)? Or is the pause preceded by a squeaking noise?

Re: Intermittent starting issue
 

What year is it?

Re: Intermittent starting issue
 

Also, if you hold the pedal down does it eventually start? Sometimes they will go after you hold the pedal for 5 or 10 seconds depending on how bad it is. That's pretty common

Also if you give the clutch a half turn by hand and then try to start it again, does it go?

Re: Intermittent starting issue
 

Nothing. If you cycle the pedal a couple times it starts.

Re: Intermittent starting issue
 

1997 I think. I've got three of them here right now and they are all 96-97, but I'm not sure which one this is without running out to confirm.

Re: Intermittent starting issue
 

I haven't tried either of those things, but as I replied above cycling the pedal gets it going. The owner suggested that he thought it might be the igniter based on what a friend told him. LOL I said I won't just throw parts at it without being more certain that will fix it. I'd rather see him live with the problem until it won't start at all than do that.

Re: Intermittent starting issue
 

Checked battery connections and frame/engine ground connections?
Multiple pedal presses with no movement or no sound or attempt to spin the starter could be a bad solenoid or bad microswitch.
Test voltage at the solenoid Blue wire for 12v with Key On. Check for same on the Orange wire. With FnR lever in N and microswitch in Maintenance mode press the Go pedal while checking voltage on the Orange wire. Pedal Up should be 12v and should drop to 0v with pedal pressed down. Solenoid should clunk and you should be able to feel it if you put a finger on it. If voltage does not drop from Orange wire then you have a microswitch that’s bad. If voltage does drop but solenoid does not clunk, solenoid is bad.

If solenoid Does clunk check voltage on White cable at starter generator. With pedal pressed voltage on white cable should match battery + voltage. If voltage at S/G white cable post does not equal battery + then poor connection or solenoid is bad. Check voltage at solenoid Red cable post, pedal pressed it should match battery voltage. If voltage is the same the solenoid is bad. If voltage is lower than battery, bad connection or bad battery cable.

Re: Intermittent starting issue
 

Thanks. Good info. I completed all the other things he wanted done and returned the cart. Next time I'm by his place I'll check those things, unless it quits starting completely before then.

Re: Intermittent starting issue
 

And if everything FT said checks out, then it's likely worn brushes in the starter/generator or just a tired S/G.