How Do I Reset My Electric Golf Cart Motor? Revive Your Ride!

If you’re having trouble with your golf cart not starting, this guide will help you troubleshoot any issues that may be present.

The sooner you figure out what’s wrong, the closer you’ll be to a solution. 

In fact, we’ll provide a troubleshooting guide for you, as well as answers to many questions you may have regarding resetting your golf cart motor.

Let’s get started.  

How do I reset my electric golf cart motor?

Resetting your golf cart motor is much easier than you might first think. All you need is a screwdriver and access to the motor cover on your golf cart. 

• Once you’ve taken the cover off the golf cart motor, locate a small red button. Press this to reset the golf cart motor to the original factory settings. 

• Not all golf cart manufacturers install the small red button used for restarting the cart. Instead, they may have a certain sequence of actions that are required in order to reset the cart’s motor. 

• If your golf cart doesn’t start after you reset the motor, you may be dealing with a number of issues. However, resetting the motor (or at least attempting to) is a good first step in troubleshooting why your golf cart isn’t starting. 

How do I reset my Club Car golf cart motor?

To reset a Club Car motor:

• First, switch the key to the off position.
• Then, set the forward/reverse to the neutral position. 
• Next, put the tow/run switch in the tow position and disconnect the negative terminal on the battery.
• Finally, put the tow/run back to run, the forward/reverse to reverse, and the key switch to the on position. 

Why would I need to reset my golf cart motor?

Golf cart motors typically shouldn’t need to be reset.

While you may have to reset the motor once or twice throughout the entire life of the golf cart, any more than that is a sign of hard usage. 

For example, golf cart motors can experience issues if the load upon the motor is greater than its rated for.

This can result from a few different scenarios, many of which reduce the life expectancy of your golf cart motor more than you might think.

• Excessive heat buildup can be a factor in needing to reset your motor. Heat can also wear down the parts of the motor and cause failures if conditions persist for a large span of time. 
• Driving the golf cart flat out can also lead to needing to reset your golf cart motor. When the pedal is depressed all the way, all the time, this can be hard on the motor and cause it to fail prematurely.
• Additional weight on the golf cart can also cause the motor to experience issues. Abide by the recommended weight limits to avoid a burnt-out motor. 
• Traversing too many steep hills can also put unnecessary strain on your golf cart motor. This is especially true if you have extra weight and/or are flooring the gas in order to make it up the hill.  

Will resetting my golf cart motor kill it if it’s going bad?

No, resetting the motor could, in fact, give a dying motor a bit more life.

However, the issues responsible for creating a weak motor are still present, so resetting the motor isn’t always a permanent fix. 

How do I troubleshoot a golf cart that won’t start?

1. One of the first things you should check on a golf cart that won’t start is the battery. This can be an easy fix for a dead golf cart that’s relatively inexpensive compared to a brand-new motor. 

Batteries should have anywhere from 12-48 volts, depending on which type of battery you’re using. Inspect the terminals as well, as they may need cleaning to produce a better connection.

It’s important to keep the golf battery lifespan in mind when you’re golf cart is not starting. It could simply be at the end of its life and you will buy a new battery. 

2. A dead golf cart may be the result of a faulty charger as well. Check the charger for any damage and inspect the outlet where you plug it in to make sure there’s no damage there either. 

3. Most golf carts have a solenoid that directs power from the battery to the motor. If the solenoid is bad, then a fully-charged battery and a working motor won’t function as they should. 

To check if the solenoid is bad in your golf cart, listen for a click when you turn the key to the on position. If there is no click, the solenoid may experience issues. 

4. Sometimes the forward and reverse switches can be worn out and cause issues as well. This is especially prevalent in used golf carts if they’ve been driven for extended periods of time.  

5. Finally, the potentiometer on your golf cart could prevent the signal from traveling from the pedal to the motor. If this potentiometer lever is stuck, your golf cart won’t respond normally under driving conditions. 

What are the symptoms of a bad golf cart motor?

Bad golf cart motors can be easily diagnosed with changes in the cart’s behavior while driving. The power may not be there as it used to be or the cart may hesitate or jerk during use. 

The inability to start can also point to a bad golf cart motor.

However, this could also be caused by a dead battery, so be sure to check the voltage before you order a new golf cart motor. 

How long do golf cart motors last?

Golf cart motors typically last around 10 years, as long as they’re properly taken care of.

The battery age is something you should definitely consider if you’re purchasing a used golf cart because it could become an issue if the previous owner did not perform proper maintenance.  

Can I repair my golf cart motor myself?

This is a question only you can answer. It all depends on your mechanical ability and how comfortable you are with the components you’re working with. 

When it comes to golf cart motors, there is typically a point where the motor can be fixed or it simply needs replacing. Most of the time, it’s easier to purchase a new motor and install it than track down replacement parts that may or may not fix the issue. 

Why won’t my golf cart run?

There are many reasons why a golf cart doesn’t run. In fact, it may not necessarily be resetting the motor that fixes your golf cart’s issue(s). 

Many golf carts suffer from a simple dead battery. This is one of the first places you should check if you’re having trouble starting your golf cart. 

You should also visually inspect your golf cart for any damage. This includes the motor and housing components as well. 

Road debris can often damage specific components of a motor if they’re exposed. A golf cart motor that won’t start can potentially be fixed by replacing these parts individually. 

If you’re not able to diagnose the reason why a golf cart won’t start, it might be best to consult your local dealer or repair shop.

They should be able to identify the issue and suggest a fix.  

What is golf cart motor burnout?

Motor burnout on a golf cart simply means that the components within the motor have been fried, or heated up to the point where they cannot function properly.

Burnout doesn’t apply specifically to a certain part of the golf cart motor but simply means some component in the motor has failed to the point where it can no longer function. 

Burnout has many causes, many of which we’ve discussed above. This includes how you drive the golf cart, how hot the motor gets during use, as well as overstepping incline and weight limits. 

If you suspect your golf cart motor has burned out, replacement of the entire unit might be your only option.

Take the opportunity to learn from the burnout and adjust your treatment of your golf cart accordingly. 

How long does it take to fully charge an electric golf cart motor?

Most golf cart motors typically charge to full in 10-14 hours.

However, your golf cart will still draw on the battery even when it’s sitting in your garage, so don’t expect the battery to be full if you wait a few days before driving it again after charging. 

Once charged, most golf carts can go anywhere from 30-35 miles. It all depends on the strain on the motor, as well as your particular driving style.

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