Golf cart stolen
 

I had a 2009 Ezgo electric Gold color gone from driveway this morning, in Chitty Chatty.
Police said it was odd taken from driveway
Ser# 5047723

:gc:

First of all, sorry for your loss. I am not familiar with Ezgo carts, but Yamaha carts have more or less common keys, last I heard was around 8. I changed out the factory key switch for a uniquely keyed universal automotive starter (ignition) switch. While this will not stop a determined thief, it will slow them down, and will stop the casual thief.
If you have photos of the cart, please post and of course call the police.

No trash pickup on Sunday so, that theory is eliminated.

(Sorry Jim had to do it )
Hope your cart is found.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this horrendous crime becomes common with the newer lithium powered carts because of the value of the batteries alone. Criminals look for a quick and untraceable aftermarket sale.

Here is hoping your cart is quickly recovered and is undamaged.

Sorry. I invested in 4 Apple Air Tags. One each hidden in our golf bags and the cart. Last is used for luggage. Peace of mind just in case.

OP, sorry to hear. Stolen from your driveway is pretty “bold” for a golf cart theft. Thanks for posting as this is a “wake up” for all of us.

i use one of these:
Amazon.com

i use one of these:
Amazon.com

Did you switch it out yourself or did you go somewhere to have it done? I just bought a new Yamaha (won't get until January) and was told the keys now are done in batches of 400. I definitely want to switch it out!

Also be aware that the locking dash storage boxes can pretty much all be opened with the same key.

I did it myself, depending on the wiring harness there are 2 or 4 wires on the switch, as I recall the switch with 4 wires has a run position and run with lights position. All the ones I converted were the 2 wire type, I would need to think about the 4 wire type or possibly have a separate switch for the lights. In any case the hole vacated by the factory switch maybe larger or small than the replacement switch, making it larger is simple, if it is too large, I used washers. Please feel free to contact me directly by PM for more information.

Jimbo, I'm sorry that this has happened to you. I am proud of the restraint that you showed in your announcement of the Golf Cart getting Clipped. You are a good example to others who still find it rough to be cool when something like this goes on. Wish I could be of assistance. Hope by some miracle you get your property back. Better yet I hope they catch the scum that grabbed it! :censored:

Air tags hidden in cart

You can buy uncommon switch with two keys. Takes about 5 - 15 mins to swap out. Unplug wire connector and plug in to new key switch done.

If I had to leave my golf cart out I would at least put tire boot on so they just can’t quietly release brake and roll it off.

Anti-Theft Wheel Lock, Regular | Camping World

If I had to leave my golf cart out I would at least put tire boot on so they just can’t quietly release brake and roll it off.

Anti-Theft Wheel Lock, Regular | Camping World

if they want it and are pro's those will not stop them

Still trying to figure out why anyone would want to steal a 13 year old golf cart for anything other than a joyride. The resale has to be close to nil unless there’s a market for the parts.

We don’t know how long it was in the driveway….in for a nap, watching tv before leaving again, rest room break, etc,….don’t know anybody who fears carts stolen (in broad daylight?) for short intervals of time. Wouldn’t use a boot if I was doing any of the above “mini-tasks”….not a high crime area, either…need more facts, ma’am, just more facts.

But it will slow them down and make noise removing, most won’t take that chance IMO.

Said this morning I guess left it out the night before? But hardly even get the details. Awful brash taking it in broad daylight.

Chop shop, money for drugs IMO.

GPS Tracker
 

Sorry for your loss! Hopefully the cart will be recovered. After reading about several cart thefts, I purchased a GPS tracker off Amazon. I paid around $40.00 for the tracker and magnetic case and about $100.00/year for the tracking service. Every time the cart moves both my wife and I receive notices on our phones. The tracker is hidden underneath the cart so not noticeable by would be thief. The GPS battery requires recharging about every 3 weeks which takes a about 2-3 hours. It's not a perfect solution but allows the police track down the pound scum if stolen. The link below is type I purchased.

Amazon.com

Sorry to hear about this , let us know how it goes with the insurance company! They love to take our premium payments

Good move on the unique key. I think I have attained the same amount of security by installing a hidden kill switch. Do you agree? (I value your opinion).

It’s sad that we have to read about a golf cart being stolen from someone’s driveway. I have lived here since 2011 and when I first bought here someone stealing a golf cart never entered my mind. Never gave leaving my cart at a square or a store a thought and usually with golf clubs in it. TV has changed. It’s not the same. We all have to be cautious now and look out for each other just like in any big city. Sad!!

Please don’t slant the thievery against our wonderful guys that work for the garbage company

Professional golf cart thieves use flatbed tow trucks to steal your cart. They even have those tow trucks that the driver doesn't have to get out of the truck. He uses a remote to slide a mechanical metal bar under your tires and away they go. It can be stolen in less than a minute.
There is a real shortage on golf cart parts so I expect many more carts to be stolen.

Hidden battery disconnect
 

I bought a heavy duty knife switch from Amazon for less than $10 and installed on the positive cable leading from the batteries to the motor and controller. I just flip it off whenever leaving the cart unattended. The switch also isolates the batteries from any potential power drain during storage.

Air Tags
 

My wife and I also bought and use Air Tags for our golf carts and Bags.

Thanks for the warning. I had some driveway work done last Spring and left two carts out overnight on the street, and I got lucky, but your post is a good warning not to rely on luck. I like the Apple AirTag idea, and they only cost $29, or 4 for $99, but while that may help to catch a thief, avoiding theft in the first place would be a lot less hassle.
Here is a YouTube link to a video on how to replace the ignition switch on a Yamaha. I expect most carts would be similar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn5pH7DWtWk

The next challenge would be to find an ignition switch that would have a more unique key, rather than simply switching it out with another OEM ignition.

Here's a link to a unique key ignition switch for Yamaha on Amazon.
Amazon.com

$70...maybe Villagetinker could provide a source for a cheaper solution.

So sorry to hear this happened to you Jimbo.
It shows that bad guys are out lurking, to see what they can steal from us, even here in TV.

I once attended a meeting with police who stated that criminals are paranoid. When there are indications that they will get caught, they usually keep moving.

Motion detector spotlights? Cameras? Ring Doorbell?

I remember when they decided they were going to build south of 466A the concern people had for their safety in that area being so close to Wildwood. Remember, where you are.

Shouldn't leave your golf cart in a driveway unless you can block it in between a car and your house. Just too easy to steal. As far as I know, all EZ-GO carts come with the same key.

My ring camera would have got a good picture...hopefully.... So sorry people just don't care anymore. No fear of being caught.
Sad world.

ezgo
 

Any one that would steal a EZGO needs professional help

What is the problem with being close to Wildwood, it is much different than being close to Lady Lake or Fruitland Park. There is crime everywhere in Florida and most of the "reported" crimes within TV appear to be in the historic section far from Wildwood.

The dealer put in a kill switch, but I figured the thieves would know where these are located, which is why i went with the replacement key switch. If you have a truly unusual location for your kill switch this should slow them down.

I have also installed a few alarms for golf carts (search for motorcycle alarms), including one that was 2 way. On this type the remote can receive a signal when the alarm is tripped.

Nothing wrong being close to Wildwood; just another person typing before thinking.

Anyway, we’ve never heard if the keys were left in the cart stolen, have we?

Has anyone tried a motion bike alarm? We are expecting our new cart in September and I would like to be pro active.