Yamaha gas cart brake lights flashing
 

The brake lights on my Yamaha gas cart started blinking on their own. The cart is in the garage, the ignition is off, the lights are off, and suddenly the brake lights flash several times then stop flashing. A few minutes later they start flashing again and then stop flashing. It's like the cart is haunted.

When I had service done last month the tech told me it is the original battery in the 2019 cart and I should consider replacing it before it goes bad. The cart still starts and runs with no problem.

Any ideas on what's going on and how to remedy it?

I'm hoping VT has some ideas on this.

Thanks in advance

VT here, Wow, now this is an interesting one. Do you have self cancelling turn signals, the electronic modules have been known to fail, however I have not heard of this failure mode. Depending on the wiring harness and its connections you might still have power to the turn signals and brake lights. Does this continue for a long time or is it just a few cycles? Just out of curiosity do you get a RED flashing light (the oil/engine) light on this cart and if so, is this flashing with the brake lights? Can you repeat the problem, does it happen every time you turn the cart off? Do you set the brakes when you park the cart, if so, try NOT setting the brake and see if you get the flashing lights. If the lights only flash for say less that 30 seconds AND only when the brake is set, I would be looking at a bad or loose brake switch or a bad electonic (turn signal) module.

Feel free to send me a PM to discuss further over the phone.

My vote would be check all connections and if they are fine replace the battery. The battery has more than lasted its life and if failing may cause weird stuff to happen like voltage fluctuations. Most Autozone type places can do a load test on the battery and determine if failed (or failing) or not. The battery is at the end of life so no real lost money there.

There is a switch under the floor board , my guess would be a bad switch, it controls the brake lignts.

I had that location problem on my 2017. Brake lights wouldn.t go off. Easy fix by the salesman.

I don't have self canceling turn signals and the brake is not set. I've seen it happen twice on Monday when I entered the garage. I have found nothing I can do to cause the brake lights to flash.

It's possible that it may be the switch under the floor access point or the old battery, which I plan to replace.

Thanks for all the advice.

I can think of two things I would check. First, there is a delay switch under the break pedal that keeps the break lights on for around 45 seconds after stopping, even when the key is removed. The switch could be faulty? Second, you could have a loose ground connection that is causing the flashing. I had a bad crimp on a the ground wire coming from the negative battery terminal that was causing all kinds of weird stuff to happen before the problem was identified and fixed. Electrical problems can be a pain in the a$$ to troubleshoot.

On another note, I hate the delay switch. When I park the cart, and remove the keys, it really bugs me to walk away from the cart with lights still on. I am constantly walking back to the cart to double check that the headlight switch is totally off. Does anyone know a way to simply bypass and remove the delay timer mechanism?

There is no delay switch, this is a function of the electronic turn signal/brake module, and there is no way to eliminate this function. I suggest being very cautious if you decide to experiment or change wiring around these modules, a short circuit will generally cause the module to fail, and replacements are well over $100.

I do not have a credible idea of what is causing this except - it is not your battery. Look elsewhere.

Not what google AI says, LOL. Please report back your fix once it’s found.

Hazard flasher switch on or malfunctioned?

Have you upgraded to LED lights recently? If not, then I’d check all wiring to make sure the connections are good.

If it is still happening, it’s your brake light switch that needs to be replaced.

What village are you in? Glad to look at it for you. Message me if you want to drive by.

Batteries are expensive, so why replace it just because it's old. My cart is a '19 and (knock on wood) still is on the original battery.

If the cart was bought from The Villages I would stop by the service department with the cart and ask them. If not get a good cart repairman.