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.