2018 Yamaha Drive 2 “put- put- put- put"
 

2018 Yamaha. Been running fine. This has happened three times this week. Hit the gas pedal, cart does not move and motor just repeats a “put put put put” until the motor finally kicks in and off ya go as normal.

Cart had annual service about 2 months ago. I only use premium gas from the Villages. Always filled at Spanish Springs (never a problem). A few days ago filled at Lake Sumter (when the problem started) I suspect fuel. So I’d rather not spend a lot of money with a repair if it maybe something simple.

I am thinking "dirty fuel injector". Are “FUEL INJECTOR CLEANERS" safe for Golf Carts ?
Perhaps I am barking up the wrong tree ? Appreciate any good suggestions.
Thanks.

I've had this same issue a few times over the past five years. Sent it to the shop once but they couldn't find anything. Seems to happen after long periods of not using it and usually when the engine has started to cool down a little (like when I come out of the grocery store).

If it wasn't EFI then I would suspect it wasn't getting a little choke. Perhaps there is an EFI equivalent.

Since it happens infrequently and the one shop couldn't find a cause, I just recognize it and drive through it.

Same here. The golf service guy put some cleaner in the gas, that helped for a bit but then it’s back. Not knowing much about these things I’m wondering if it’s a bad spark plug or a clogged exhaust filter, apparently these things have some sort of Brillo pad in the exhaust that’s supposed to help with something or other. Also noticed a lack of power too.

My 2022 does it when I have driven a long way - engine hot - it sits, and then I try to drive it again. My assumption has been its vapor lock. I recognize it early now when it happens as the cart will not accelerate. I stop, switch to neutral and run the engine until it clears then move on. Usually 10-20 seconds.

Interesting... Will try
 

Interesting... Will try.Thank you.

Check your battery, I had the same (or very similar) issue on our 2017 and it was the battery going bad. Took it to Advanced Auto, they tested the battery, it had only 150 cranking amps should have been 750. Installed a new battery and all was good.

Thank you !!

I had the same thing, as well as some hesitation issues. Replaced the battery and issues solved. I also add some Techron to the gas periodically. I use regular gas, not the rec blend.

Timely and interesting thread. I had this problem with my 2022 QT for the first time yesterday. I drove the cart about a half hour to Bonifay, played 18, then drove to Seabreeze sports pool, all with no issues. After swimming laps for about 1 1/2 hours, I jumped in the cart to head home and the cart was very sluggish and puttered for a few seconds before running normal again. I gave the cart an inspection this morning to try to troubleshoot the problem.

Spark arrestor clogged, nope, it’s already been removed.

Spark plug, nope, pulled it and it looked clean and properly gapped.

Bad ethanol gas, nope, I use exclusively ethanol free gas from WaWa.

Bad battery, nope, battery passed all strength tests with multimeter.

Clogged air filter, nope, it looked brand new clean.

Then I read this thread. I never thought about a vapor lock, but it’s a possibility and could explain how the problem quickly cleared up? The cart ran fine this morning after sitting all night?

Access ?
 

Do you know of a place that is Golf Cart accessible or will I need to pull the battery myself and take it in ...

Well, no idea where you live but you did say you took the cart recently for service? Was that on the path? I bet they can check it?

I rarely buy non alcohol gas, had no problems with gas, how ever resistor spark plugs can go bad and only way to check the with multimeter. Ask how I know this? Very long story? In short I went through whole fuel system including cleaning tank and changing fuel pump on motor scooter cause the spark plug looked good.

Also check the drive belt. Our cart was slow to engage after sitting for a while. The drive belt was slipping, until it finally caught and could do its job.

Several of the mobile golf cart services can pull and replace the battery, not sure if they can TEST the battery. As for golf cart accessible auto parts stores, I think Walmart can do this, I would call the auto department to check. While Walmart can TEST the battery, ask if they can or will REPLACE the battery. The replacement can be tricky on some of the carts, later model Yamaha carts have a sound barrier that needs to be loosened to get the old batter out and needs to be held out of the way to install the new battery.

The cart servicer came to my house for the annual maintenance. Live north Btw Sumter & Spanish Springs.

I guess thats were I was going with my story. It looks like a pain to replace. I am betting the battery is original.

If you can drive it somewhere to get it tested that would be simplest.

My 2019 was not too difficult to remove/replace. Here is a youtube showing how to do it. Honestly, it takes more time to watch the video than it takes to do the work.

IMPORTANT: If you buy a new battery be sure to get the correct group number - I didn't. Mine was a Group 24 but unfortunately, I misread the specs and purchased a 24F. I was lucky and was able to make it work but I should have returned it

Answer: One of the common reasons for this issue is the Spark Arrestor (it can be removed - it's only required in California). Another common issue is pressure and vapors from your gas tank. A way to prevent this it to buy a T-Valve at a auto parts store and about 18 inches of hose and place the T between the hose line that feeds into your carburetor air filter. One last option, not the best, when you are done with your drive, prop the seat open and release the fuel cap cover.

This is a common issue with Yamaha's and if you search Facebook, you will see answers like I am posting. Good luck...

a couple of things you can do
 

1. ensure you didnt get some bad gas, add more fuel from a diff location, but if it is a fuel quality issue, it would have been doing that all the time, so i doubt that

2. you probably have a speedo on the cart. watch the voltage as you take off, prior to take off sitting there you should see around 13.2 volts, during attempted acceleration, the voltage should drop no lower than about 11.3 volts or so, if it does drop below that thats the generator requesting power and the battery cant provide it, batteries here last 3-4 years max due to heat. battery isnt strong enough to rotate the generator, time for a new batt.

there is a Yamaha recall in effect for 2016-2024 . It's for the spring under the accelerator. you might want to have this checked out at any Villages golf garage. No appointment necessary and you didn't have to buy the cart there.

fix
 

Willies golf cart repair has a cheap and easy solution. It is a design flaw

You can't
 

You can't check a battery with a multi meter.. That's static volts.
It has to be check using something that puts a load on the battery.. Any auto parts store can do it.. Take the battery out and have it checked the correct way

My 2018 Yamaha did the same thing. After eliminating all the other possible causes people have mentioned here, I called Todd Casey.
He determined it had to be the fuel pump. Not a cheap fix, but it took care of the problem. It's been fine ever since he did that 3 months ago.

He even told me he would keep my old pump, and if this didn't remedy the issue, he would put my old pump back on and credit me back the full amount.

Now thats service. Todd is very good at what he does.

I have one of these takes couple minutes to tell me status of my batteries.

Amazon.com

Agree multimeter will only tell you the volts not Amps do that need load tester or analyzer.

just pull the steel wool out of the exhaust (muffler) take you 20 minutes.

Did yours have this problem consistently ? My cart has only done this 2 or 3 times in 2 weeks.

Sounds like the same problem we had with our cart when it was new. We took it to The Villages Golf Carts in Brownwood (where we bought it) and the mechanic told me that whoever setup our cart failed to do the air filter breather box modifications. It’s an easy fix involving drilling a hole and rerouting a breather tube. It allows the engine to breath easier.
Take it to your dealership or have a cart tech come to your place to perform the modification.

On mine it is rare, maybe once or twice a month. I'm surprised when it happens but I'm no longer concerned.

Does the fuel pump go out all at once "
 

Does the fuel pump go out all at once or can it fail occasionally & run great the rest of the time?

Yup
 

Mine runs great other than the 2 or 3 times it happened. Definately not worth it to me to spend hundreds changing parts that may or may not be bad..(until we cant drive it )then maybe.

I have a perfectly good battery and had the same problem(?) Battery is turning over a 1 cylinder engine. Can't expect nothing more from a 50+ year old technology engine, most of which are now fuel injected, Even if the cart had a diagnostic computer(like a car) diagnosis could only be made if the issue occurs at the dealer.

Easy to Identify Vapor Lock
 

It’s easy to identify vapor lock. Just remove the gas cap and attempt to drive the cart. Sometimes the vent in the cap is clogged. Vapor lock is usually an issue when it gets warmer out though.

Check your stater belt. Might be loose

Had the same problem with my 2014. Turned out it was the battery. Changed the battery and have not had a problem since.

Mine was random as well. He couldn't replicate the problem when he was here. That's why he said he'd keep my old one in case it didn't take care of it.

Had similar issue on my 2022 yamaha. Got it 4.5 months ago (moved in 6 mo ago). Just took it to Villages Golf Cars in Brownwood. They found a "very loose starter generator belt - adjuster screw was very loose". They tightened the belt, and it feels much better now - no hesitation. FYI - hope this helps someone.

IMO quite tech carts have extreme heat build it in engine compartment due trying to quite the noise level down especially in summer months, that heat soaks electronic parts and battery. IMO over time this will eventually create unusual problems as cart ages.

Glad my cart doesn’t have all the noise blocking heat soaking add ons. Next time I’m with my friend that has quite tech I going to compare temperature different under seat, you can definitely feel heat escaping from his cart when raise seat compared to my older model.

My 2017 Yamaha has had that vapor lock issue since it was new. Fuel type seems to make no difference whether I put in ethanol free or not. It happens when the cart has been driven then sits for a while in the hot sun. Upon restart it does the put-put-put-put, as you describe and then that hesitation goes aways as it finally starts after a few seconds. Normal for these fuel injected Quietechs.

FYI, if you need a new battery, Walmart will not replace or install a battery in a golf cart; they will only sell you one and take your old one for core exchange. I had the experience last week at Walmart on 441.

A Little Time Consuming
 

On the newer Quiet Techs you need to remove the mounting screws for the battery wall plate in order to change it. It isn’t just a quick removal of the terminals and maybe a post. It takes more work and can cause other issues if you aren’t careful.