Jump start dead golf cart battery?

[MrLonzo]

My gas golf cart won't start. Battery is out of juice. My fault, I left the key in the 'on' position over night. Can I jump start it from my car?
It's Yamaha Drive 2 Quietech EFI.

[Bill14564]

My gas golf cart won't start. Battery is out of juice. My fault, I left the key in the 'on' position over night. Can I jump start it from my car?
It's Yamaha Drive 2 Quietech EFI.

I don't believe that will be very effective.

The golf cart engine doesn't start and idle like an automobile. When you press the accelerator, a motor runs to turn the engine over and cause it to start. This also causes the cart to move. When you take your foot off the accelerator, the engine stops and so does the charging.

You could put the cart into neutral and then keep the accelerator depressed far enough to keep the engine running. The cart would not move though the engine would continue to run. This would allow the cart to recharge the battery as long as the engine kept running.

You *might* either use neutral to run the engine for a few minutes to warm it up and get an initial charge on the battery. Or, you could leave it connected to your running car until there was enough charge to start the cart moving. Then you could take the cart for a good long ride to allow it to charge itself. There is still a concern that if you let up on the accelerator (for instance: at a stop sign) the engine will stop and if you don't have enough charge it will not start again.

Perhaps someone in your neighborhood has a charger you could borrow?

[dewilson58]

Kinda what Bill said..............

You can............cart must be in neutral.

Once started, take off the cables and continue to run it in neutral.

I'm guessing..............five (5) minutes.

Foot off the gas, let it shut down, put in forward, hit the gas and drive.....a good 20 minutes.

[dewilson58]

Otherwise...........mention the Village you live in and maybe a poster close to you has a charger.

[xkeowner]

Yes, I have done it a couple of times. Put it in neutral and jump it just like you would another car.

[tophcfa]

If your cart location has access to electricity you could hook up your battery to a charger. If not, you could remove the battery and bring it home and charge it in your garage and then reinstall it. Otherwise you will need to jump it in neutral as already described. Good luck.

[rjm1cc]

You tube might help but the above seems like good advice

[MrFlorida]

If you ran your battery down, you need to charge it back up. Buy a charger or borrow one.

[Topspinmo]

I would Just buy battery “Charger” not that expensive.

[MrChip72]

Buy a float charger. Everyone with a gas cart should own one. "Battery Tender Junior" is a good one. We put it on our cart anytime we're gone for more than a couple of weeks. The trickle charge that it does is actually good for extending your battery life.

[Topspinmo]

Yes, I have done it a couple of times. Put it in neutral and jump it just like you would another car.

And probably not good when drop in gear? You know the big clunking sound?

[Keefelane66]

I’m sure glad I took automotive shop in High School. Of course you can charge a 12v golf cart battery with a vehicle being 12v also. It will take about 10-15 minutes.

[Topspinmo]

I’m sure glad I took automotive shop in High School. Of course you can charge a 12v golf cart battery with a vehicle being 12v also. It will take about 10-15 minutes.

They didn’t have all those computer controls back then were small arc can burn out relays and resistors.

[MrLonzo]

Sorry, I'm new to the world of golf carts. How do you put it in neutral? Mine has forward (F) and reverse (R) only. Google didn't help with that question either. And I couldn't find anything on YouTube about charging a cart battery from a car.

[Topspinmo]

Sorry, I'm new to the world of golf carts. How do you put it in neutral? Mine has forward (F) and reverse (R) only. Google didn't help with that question either. And I couldn't find anything on YouTube about charging a cart battery from a car.

It’s half way between F and R, not really notch but in middle.

[MrLonzo]

It’s have way between F and R, not really notch but in middle.

and how is somebody supposed to know that? I looked through the entire user manual and couldn't find the word 'neutral'. https://golfcars.yamaha-owners-manuals.com/om/LIT-19626-A0-05.pdf

[Lyarham]

My gas golf cart won't start. Battery is out of juice. My fault, I left the key in the 'on' position over night. Can I jump start it from my car?
It's Yamaha Drive 2 Quietech EFI.

If it’s a 12 volt battery of course you can

[DannoMac]

I have a trickle charger you can borrow. PM me for address.

[BobGraves]

I have this battery charger from harbor freight and it works great. Access to this page has been denied (https://www.harborfreight.com/6v12v-2-amp-3-stage-microprocessor-controlled-automatic-battery-charger-57015.html)
I'd offer to lend it to you but we're away for the holidays.

[dewilson58]

Sorry, I'm new to the world of golf carts. How do you put it in neutral? Mine has forward (F) and reverse (R) only. Google didn't help with that question either. And I couldn't find anything on YouTube about charging a cart battery from a car.

It's between................you will know, it is extremely easy to push your cart without the brake on.

[Two Bills]

and how is somebody supposed to know that? I looked through the entire user manual and couldn't find the word 'neutral'. https://golfcars.yamaha-owners-manuals.com/om/LIT-19626-A0-05.pdf

The diagram is showing you neutral.

[Bill14564]

and how is somebody supposed to know that? I looked through the entire user manual and couldn't find the word 'neutral'.

I learned about it the same way you just did. Someone mentioned neutral, I asked how to do that, and they explained halfway between.

Since it does not appear to be an "official" neutral (not in the manual) be a little careful with it. It won't take much for the lever to move just a little and make the cart move a lot.

[ckcapaul]

If you are going to charge it off your vehicle, plan on 45 minutes to an hour. 100 amp alternator charging a 75 to 100 AH battery. Using the generator in the cart (about 25 amps) could take up to 4 hours. Charger is the best way to go.

[Keefelane66]

I learned about it the same way you just did. Someone mentioned neutral, I asked how to do that, and they explained halfway between.

Since it does not appear to be an "official" neutral (not in the manual) be a little careful with it. It won't take much for the lever to move just a little and make the cart move a lot.
Leave the ignition switch OFF position apply parking brake, hook up Negative and Positive jumper cables proceed to charge battery

[Robojo]

My gas golf cart won't start. Battery is out of juice. My fault, I left the key in the 'on' position over night. Can I jump start it from my car?
It's Yamaha Drive 2 Quietech EFI.

I recently bought a battery charger and jumper for my truck. The man said it can be used for all different types of batteries. Oreilly auto parts.

[SeaCros]

My gas golf cart won't start. Battery is out of juice. My fault, I left the key in the 'on' position over night. Can I jump start it from my car?
It's Yamaha Drive 2 Quietech EFI.

Best option I have found is to keep a trickle charger handy. Left over night the battery will have enough juice to have you moving again.
Good luck

[Bill14564]

Leave the ignition switch OFF position apply parking brake, hook up Negative and Positive jumper cables proceed to charge battery

The OP did not ask about charging the battery using the fuel in his car; the OP asked about jump starting the golf cart.

It would take less fuel to drive to an automotive store and buy a battery charger (or order one off amazon) - and it would last longer too.

[SickTime]

Hi Yes you can jump start your golf cart battery but you will have to do what many have said, put the shift in neutral (between reverse and drive) jump the battery and start the golf cart. The problem is when you take your foot off the gas the engine will stop and so will the charging from the golf cart. what may be easier is connect the cables from your car to the cart and let it charge about 10 min or so. that should charge your golf cart battery enough to start the cart on its own. Once it starts its a nice continuous ride about 20-30 minutes to get that battery charged. My suggestion is to go to walmart and buy a battery charger with a "start" feature on it. that will boost your battery as if you were jumping it from a car without all the hassle. Just plug it in get some coffee and your done. Good Luck.

[tophcfa]

Buy a float charger. Everyone with a gas cart should own one. "Battery Tender Junior" is a good one. We put it on our cart anytime we're gone for more than a couple of weeks. The trickle charge that it does is actually good for extending your battery life.

A must for snowbirds.

[MrLonzo]

This one ok (photo)?

One more dumb question: how do I tell if it's a 12 volt battery? Are most golf cart batteries 12 volt? There's no indication what the voltage is on the part of the battery I can see without removing it. Thanks.

[MrLonzo]

The diagram is showing you neutral.

But how do you know? How did YOU find out? I would never know this if it weren't for this forum!

[tophcfa]

This one ok (photo)?

One more dumb question: how do I tell if it's a 12 volt battery? Are most golf cart batteries 12 volt? There's no indication what the voltage is on the part of the battery I can see without removing it. Thanks.

If it’s a gas golf cart it’s going to be a 12 volt battery.

[Topspinmo]

and how is somebody supposed to know that? I looked through the entire user manual and couldn't find the word 'neutral'. https://golfcars.yamaha-owners-manuals.com/om/LIT-19626-A0-05.pdf

They don’t want you to know cause they’re no neutral notch. Can easily jump into F or R if not careful due to vibration of engine running. I wouldn’t do it to charge the battery.

[dadoiron]

My gas golf cart won't start. Battery is out of juice. My fault, I left the key in the 'on' position over night. Can I jump start it from my car?
It's Yamaha Drive 2 Quietech EFI.

Works fine done it at least twice. Hook it up get in cart and do you usual...be ready to go to neutral when it starts and keep foot on gas. Some one else will have to dis connect. The drive it for a while. Better if you have cigarette lighter jump use that much better and safer.

[Two Bills]

But how do you know? How did YOU find out? I would never know this if it weren't for this forum!

Because the car will not drive forward or backwards in that setting.

[lawgolfer]

They didn’t have all those computer controls back then were small arc can burn out relays and resistors.

As this RP noted, it is very easy to "fry" the electronics in both the cart and the car. Before I used your car's battery to charge the cart's, I would remove both cables from the car's battery to be certain you do not damage the car's electronics. When you reinstall them, ALWAYS attach the positive (+) cable first. For the same reason, I would also remove both cables from the cart's battery. You may have to reset the clock and the radio stations in the car, but that is a small price to pay to avoid having a short circuit and many dollars in repairs.

It's a good idea to buy a cheap battery charger. They take up barely more space than a shoe box. You can buy one at Walmart or any auto parts store. Homes in the Mid-West or the North were rarely without one in the garage.

While you should have a charger, I'd be more concerned about the condition of your cart's battery and would consider a replacement. Both my wife and I have left the key in the on position on our Yamaha more times than I can count. Several times, this has been over a full weekend. Not once has this run down the battery. If the cart's headlights are off, there isn't much, if anything, on a Yamaha that can draw down the battery. If your headlights were off, I'd replace the battery out of fear that it's going to fail again, and at some place other than your home, leaving you stranded.

[MrChip72]

While you're at it, get a voltage meter. You can get a cheap one at a big box store or really cheap one at Harbor Freight. Check if your voltage after being fully charged is at least 12.4v, if it's not then it's time to replace your battery.

[Villagesgal]

Why not just hook the battery to a battery charger?

[wamley]

My golf cart battery died on the next to last hole on Caroline. We jumped it by normal method other than I kept my foot on the break while we jumped the cart and pushed on the gas pedal the engine started, cables removed I sat let off the brake and drove off the course and back to my house(fortunately I was close to home), but you can't let the engine stop. So every time I stopped I had to keep the engine idle ing, but brake enough to stop. You have to have a lot of room in front of the cart as it drives off. the other thing you could do is get the rear wheels off the ground, jump the cart and let the wheels spin to charge the battery.
GGOD LUCK>

[NoMoSno]

My golf cart battery died on the next to last hole on Caroline. We jumped it by normal method other than I kept my foot on the break while we jumped the cart and pushed on the gas pedal the engine started, cables removed I sat let off the brake and drove off the course and back to my house(fortunately I was close to home), but you can't let the engine stop. So every time I stopped I had to keep the engine idle ing, but brake enough to stop. You have to have a lot of room in front of the cart as it drives off. the other thing you could do is get the rear wheels off the ground, jump the cart and let the wheels spin to charge the battery.
GGOD LUCK>
That must have been a sight.
Did you do all that while the seat was tilted up to access the battery?

[jpvillager]

Food for thought. Last time I replaced my battery I bought a Sams marine (deep cycle) battery. Same size, same capacity and a better battery only $10 cheaper. And, built to handle discharges better. We are snowbirds. Go figure.