How To Adjust or Remove Golf Cart Governor: Ultimate Speed Hack!

The low speeds in a golf cart can be irritating at times, especially if you intend to use the golf cart on the road.

You can use a wrench or a screwdriver to adjust the tension on the springs to give the golf cart more speed.

Or you can also remove the golf cart governor altogether and floor that pedal.

Below, we break down the hacks you can use to adjust or remove your golf cart governor and get you in the fast lane.

You can also check out our articles on making a golf cart faster and the fastest golf cart on the planet if you have a need for speed!

Tools you will need:

• Regular screwdriver
• A crescent wrench
• A set of Torx screwdriver bits
• A screwdriver that has interchangeable bits
• Wrench
• Phillips head screwdriver
• A couple of channel locks

Removing a Golf Cart Governor

Don’t worry. You can successfully adjust or remove your golf cart governor with a basic mechanical skill set. Follow the following process:

Step 1

Locate and remove the cable that connects the governor with the carburetor. The cable is thin, making it easier to pull out.

If the cable doesn’t come out by hand, utilize the listed tools above. I prefer using a regular screwdriver or Philip’s head.

Step 2

Disconnect the remaining cable from the golf cart governor. Just follow the length of the thin cable, which leads to the governor, often located on the engine’s top side.

Step 3

Find the connection between the gas pedal and the golf cart pedal. Disconnect the two so that the gas pedal connects directly to the engine.

Step 4

Change the route of the gas pedal. Because it would first connect to the governor before reaching the engine, re-route so that the gas pedal connects directly to the carburetor.

Step 5

Unscrew the connecting bolt present on the gas pedal shaft. Move the gas shaft upwards to create more room for movement.

Finally, tighten the bolt and ignite the golf cart.

Note that you may have to repeat the last two steps severally before your golf cart attains the desired speed. It’s now time to test the golf cart.

Find a golf course with a designated length and floor the golf cart to the end. I tested my cart on my usual golf course because I’m familiar with the length and the terrain.

Adjusting Golf Cart Governor

Removing a golf cart governor may prove costly in terms of repairs when not done correctly. You can instead adjust to increase the speed as shown below:

Adjusting the 4-Stroke Engine

Step 1

Go under the cart and locate the governor arm, usually located on top of the rear axle housing. Depending on your golf cart model, the golf cart’s governor arm may be covered with a protection plate.

Step 2

The golf cart governor is a tension spring that is wound upon a rod inside the engine. Find the governor spring next to the governor’s arm.

For easier identification, the spring is fitted on a bracket and can be adjusted using a threaded rod that runs right through it.

Step 3

Raise the seat and remove the soft padding covering the engine. These cushions are fastened with seat screws in some newer models, and you will need a regular screwdriver to loosen them.

Unscrew the screws that hold the plastic cover behind the seat in place.

Step 4

Look for a thick cable that connects the gas pedal to the inside of the engine. It will lead you to the golf cart governor on the other end, a spring wound around a metal rod.

Step 5

There are two nuts, a smaller one and the other a bit bigger, on the threaded rod. Adjust the two of them simultaneously using a wrench that will loosen and change the length of the spring.

Once you think you’ve achieved the intended speed, tighten the smaller nut for the final time, which will hold the spring in position.

Step 6

Test whether the cart has achieved the desired speed by driving it along a flat area, preferably a golf course of a known length. This ensures that the governor works in the native environment within the manufacturer’s specifications.

Restore the black plastic cover and put the seat back into position if everything is fine.

Adjusting Other Engines

This process applies to other golf carts that may have a slightly different procedure from the above.

Step 1 – Find Clutch Pedal

Adjust the seat to expose a plastic covering beneath. Just pop it up or use a regular screwdriver if the seat is fastened with screws.

Locate the clutch pedal and the cable that connects to the engine.

Step 2 – Find Fuel Volume Cable

Find a small metal rod located next to the clutch. It is connected to a cable. This cable regulates the volume of the fuel that flows into the engine.

Step 3 – Adjust cable To Increase Speed

Find a nut that holds the cable in place. Hold it with a wrench and adjust its position, gradually strengthening the cable. The longer the line, the more the speed of the cart increases and vice versa.

Once you have achieved the intended speed, tighten the nut and test your golf cart.

Points to Note

• The process interferes with the normal functioning of the golf cart, creating a need for more replacement parts and repairs. Before you begin, check the manufacturers’ specifications to whether your desired speed is permissible.
• Modern all-electric golf carts are complicated and don’t use the same mechanisms as gas-powered ones. This, in turn, makes the adjustment process quite complex because the adjustment cables are concealed. In such cases, get professional assistance to avoid ruining your cart.
• Whether you do it yourself or by professionals, golf cart governor adjustment or removal will void your warranty. Ensure the warranty period is over before attempting to increase your golf cart speed
• Some golf carts like the EZGO have a top speed of 15mph, and the adjustment process will only increase it by 5 to 10mph.

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