Being told you need a new starter? Read first
 

Im going to make this post as Im tired of seeing you people ripped off.

This has gone on for many many years, and Its sad that shops stoop to this level.

Im saying this now because this week was able to save 2 more people from being sold a starter they dont need.

So, if you take your golf car in for service and you get told that you need a new starter, chances are good you dont. Youll be told the brushes are between 60 to 80 percent worn. Get a second opinion. Your 2020 cart does not need new brushes, as a matter of fact we are seeing now 2013 and Below year carts coming up for brushes.

Ill say this also, if your being told the repair on your golf car is going to be over 500 bucks, get a second opinion. A simple phone call maybe able to say you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
Take the info as you wish.

Thank you for the “heads up”. Your posts are appreciated.

This is why it is so important to have your things serviced by honest businessman

Nothing wrong with residents helping one another via TOTV's, it was started for that. But when residents (??) post things like "YOU PEOPLE", it sure puts my alarm system on notice ! "YOU people" ? Like YOU are not one of "us" ? Interesting. So did this happen to you ? You spent $500 "bucks" and THEN found out it was not needed ? How did you find out ? Did a neighbor help you by finding the actual problem ? Who did you (or a neighbor ?) call to find this out ? Strange post from a fellow resident. "YOU PEOPLE"... I keep wondering what that means ?

Go read his posts, this guy repairs golf carts. Resident, ?

Thanks anyway, changing brushes on generator/starter not that hard for me.

Please, most don’t even know where starter at let along it’s really generator with double duty. Most are lucky to find dipstick or how use tire gauge. :eclipsee_gold_cup:

As Shooter stated.....I repair golf cars in the villages.....

It's not based on the year but on the miles you have. On average brushes should be changed between 25 and 30 thousand miles. Pull the inspection cap off the starter generator and see how far down the brushes are in the guide. If they are even or below the guide it's time to change them. About $15 dollars for new brushes vs $400 for a new generator.

So….. OP sounds to be one of the reputable service folks in the villages. Does he have a biz card I can keep on file????

Good solid information. Thank you.

Gordon's Garage got me! $500 for new starter/alternator because of brushes. Yikes!

That happened to me at the Sumter location of Villages golf carts - replaced many items for a total of $1,200! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

Thanks Kenny! I find your posts helpful & informative.

Unscrupulous dealers? Tell me it’s not true! Great info, thanks much! I question everything. Like the car dealer that said I needed a new AC compressor for my newer car, not under warranty, only $1000. I troubleshot the issue to a bad anti-freeze switch. Cost, $30.

Todd Casey put a new starter on my 2011 Yamaha last year and just this week a new starter on our 2014 Yamaha, $500 plus labor. Mechanics now days are just parts replacers as opposed to part repairers.

Another thing that looks like a bad charger
 

I was also sold a new starter/charger. The battery would not charge. Turns out the problem was a bad voltage regulator. This is a common problem with Club Cars. A replacement costs about $17 and is an easy install.

A good tech would have known the issue right away, and its a simple check.

Anybody with little mechanical skills can replace part on outside especially starter generator on golf cart now days with all the online to tutorial. Not like have to Jack it up crawl underneath it.

What are your thoughts on the way Yamaha wires voltage regulators, where they often are charging the battery well above the recommended voltage of approximately 14.5. I rewired both of our Yamahas using Villagetinker’s wiring diagram and the charging voltage went dow from 16.5 (2014 EFI) and 15.8 (2022 Quiet Tech) to 14.5 on both carts. That should significantly increase battery life on the carts.

Wow! Sensitive much? It was pretty clear from the get-go that the OP, by using the term "You People" is referring to "You People" who go to golf cart mechanics, id est - golf cart owners who are are also customers of golf cart repair folks.

Guess I should look at an electric cart then for my first cart purchase?

Yamaha wiring is not good. I think the wiring harness uses 20 gauge wire, which is inadequate. My 2009 cart came with halogen headlights. With the headlights on, pressing the brake pedal would dim them. I put them on a separate dedicated circuit, with its own fuse, using some leftover 14 gauge house wire from the battery to the light switch. No more dimming lights. Six years later I find the insulation on the original wiring from the switch to the lights is heat damaged. The factory wiring is just inadequate.

Good trained techs know how to change the voltage with no parts required.

You'll never go back.
Lithium is a COMPLETE game changer.
My carts are super light and nimble.
I have three lithium powered carts out of all three I've had one bad solenoid.
That was my only problem ever so far.

Oh, and one more thing...
Please try and buy an American product.
I know those Chinese carts are tempting

This Cart..

2023 EZGO ELITE LITHIUM BATTERY | Talk of the Villages

Is a Freakin Steal!

That was awesome information! Thank you so much!!!

Our 2014 EFI had the same problem with the factory halogen lights. The light switch got hot when the headlights were on (which made for a good hand warmer during the colder winter months). Switching the halogen lights to LED headlights both solved the problem and significantly helped with night vision.

Who are the dealers that are coming up with these repairs. Thanks

Increase the battery life by how much? I get 5 years on a battery now.

It depends on driving habits. Charging at too high a voltage overheats the battery and can cause hydrogen and oxygen gas to form, which can damage the battery and significantly shorten its life. If you typically make short stop and go trips, the damage should be minimal. If you frequently make longer trips, it will definitely shorten the battery life. I had to replace a good quality battery after about two years after taking several long trips in the golf cart. Granted, it could have simply been a faulty battery, but it didn’t seem right. The new battery now charges at around 14.5 volts after the fix and I guess time will tell if charging at the recommended voltage leads to a longer battery life? Either way, I feel better driving a cart that’s not overcharging the battery, and the fix was inexpensive and relatively easy.

This is only when the charge system over charges. Not every cart does it, but when it charges in the high 16 to 17 plus volt range it does shorten the life of the battery. Your getting 5 years out of a battery, your charge system is fine, its only when the system over charges.

Thanks so much, I appreciate your help.

I decided to go that route. Unlike my expectations/need for a car, I never drive a round trip that has ever taken my lithium battery below 50%. Plugs into a 110 outlet, and fully charged overnight. A full charge should take me 50 to 60 miles. Like I would ever want to do that on a golf cart!

That's not saying they are "trouble free". Mine (Evolution) had issues initially with discharging too fast and I ultimately got a new battery (under warranty). But other than that, the only thing I worry about is making sure the tires have enough air.

There are times when gas makes sense (cars, lawn equipment for larger yards) and times when battery makes sense. IMO, golf cart is one of those.

Always have them take a lie detector test.

Aaaand the "Gas vs Electric" debate begins... Again...

It's really not much of a debate at this point, it's obvious electric is better. ;)

For golf carts? Yes.

What ever tickles you fancy.