When a gas golf cart won’t move, it’s time to see which part is malfunctioning and what can be done to get it to work properly.
The golf cart has multiple functioning parts that need to work in unison for it to move. If one of those parts starts malfunctioning, the gas golf cart is going to come to a halt.
This is why it’s important to see what’s going on if the gas golf cart won’t go forward or reverse.
If a gas golf cart won’t go forward or reverse, the issue is likely a weak battery, a malfunctioning ignition switch, a faulty microswitch, or a discolored solenoid. It’s recommended to test the power going to the golf cart and replace the damaged part.
In some cases, it is going to be a simpler issue such as the battery connections not being tight enough. You will simply want to test each battery connection in the gas golf cart and see what can be done to tighten them.
This applies to any situation.
If you are trying to find out why the EZ GO golf cart won’t go forward or reverse, this guide is going to help. The same applies to other brands.
Here is a detailed guide on how to fix a gas golf cart that won’t go forward or reverse.
Reasons Gas Golf Cart Won’t Go Forward Or Reverse
1. Malfunctioning Ignition Switch
Let’s begin with the ignition switch.
The ignition switch in a gas golf cart is responsible for activating the cart. If it does not ignite, the cart is not going to move.
To get a gas golf cart to move, you will want to test the ignition switch and ensure it is working as required.
In some situations, the gas golf cart’s ignition switch is going to malfunction. If it does, the gas golf cart is not going to move.
2. Faulty Micro Switch
Another part that can cause a gas golf cart to not reverse is a faulty micro switch.
What is the golf cart microswitch responsible for?
The micro switch helps the gas golf cart switch between moving forward and reversing. If this switch is not working, the gas golf cart is not going to budge.
In general, some golfers will complain about sitting in the gas golf cart and feeling like it is stuck in between the two. This happens due to the golf cart microswitch getting stuck halfway.
3. Damaged Solenoid
This is a problem that can be assessed with a visual inspection.
In essence, you are going to be looking for a damaged or discolored solenoid. The solenoid is going to look discolored around the edges and this is a sign there is something wrong with it.
What is the purpose of the gas golf cart solenoid?
It is designed to help transfer power to the golf cart and it is not going to work when it is discolored.
The best option is to make sure you are swapping out the solenoid if it is discolored. Otherwise, the gas golf cart is not going to move as you want it to.
4. Faulty Controller
It is possible the gas golf cart controller is not working or it is malfunctioning.
The purpose of this part is to help regulate how the gas golf cart moves. This includes its speed, which is going to be hampered when the controller is not working at all.
A lot of people look at this part when increasing a golf cart’s speed.
However, in this case, the gas golf cart controller might not be working properly. This means it needs to be swapped out as soon as possible.
5. Damaged Wiring
Have you taken the time to look at the golf cart battery connections?
Sometimes, the power is not going to be transferred through to the switch, which means the gas golf cart is not going to reverse or move properly.
You will want to go through and check each connection to see if it is intact.
This is the best way to make sure there is enough power going through and it works as required.
Sometimes, a loose connection in the golf cart is the reason for this issue popping up. Tighten the connection and make sure it is in good shape.
6. Low Battery
If a gas golf cart can’t go forward or backward, it’s time to take a look at the battery and its overall power output.
Is it strong enough?
A weak golf cart battery can be the root cause of many underlying issues. This includes the golf cart headlights not working or even the golf cart battery blowing up.
To avoid this, you will want to replace the golf cart battery if it is not pushing enough power through to the switch.
This is one way you are going to help regulate how the gas golf cart moves when you are driving it around.
How To Fix Gas Golf Cart That Won’t Go Forward Or Reverse
1. Inspect The Battery
If a gas golf cart runs but does not move, the main issue might have to do with the gas golf cart’s battery.
The golf cart battery might be weak.
When this occurs, you are going to see numerous issues surrounding the rest of the golf cart.
For example, your golf cart headlights are not going to work and you are also going to see a reduction in overall power when you are driving the golf cart.
In this case, it might have gotten to the point where the gas golf cart won’t move at all.
Your best bet will be to take a look to see if the gas golf cart battery needs to be replaced. Sometimes a replacement golf cart battery is the ultimate solution to a problem such as this one.
2. Tighten and Test The Battery Connections
Just like you are going to want to take a look at the gas golf cart battery, it’s also important to think about the connections.
These connections are critical to making sure the battery works as required.
Sometimes, the wiring that is running to and from the battery will be the problem. It is not going to be as tight as it needs to be.
Go through and check each wire to see if it is tight. If not, tighten it.
3. Inspect The Solenoid For Discoloration
Let’s assume an EZ GO gas golf cart won’t go forward or backward, you will want to take a peek at the solenoid.
This part is key when it comes to getting the microswitch to work properly.
You have to assess it for discoloration.
Look around the edges of the part to see if it is losing its color. Is it different from the center of the solenoid?
If so, this means it is damaged and has become dysfunctional. The best option is to replace the gas golf cart solenoid when it is discolored.
4. Swap Wires For Microswitch To See If Reverse Works
If a gas golf cart runs but won’t move, you have to think about swapping the wires attached to the golf cart microswitch.
Why is this important?
Sometimes, one of the wires will become damaged and that is why the gas golf cart doesn’t move.
Your best bet will be to run a little test.
You are going to swap the wires between the forward and reverse switches. This means the reverse wire will now be connected where the forward wire was.
If the gas golf cart reverses, this means only one part of the switch is the issue. You will want to change the wire and see if that helps.
Otherwise, you might need to swap out the switch itself.
5. Replace The Controller
You will now want to take a look at the controller.
Is there an issue with how the speed controller is working in the gas golf cart?
If the gas golf cart doesn’t move properly, this might mean the controller has become faulty. It will need to be swapped out.
6. Test The Ignition Switch
The last part you are going to want to test is the ignition switch.
A lot of people will notice stuttering when this part is not working. It is not going to ignite as required, which means power is not going to go through to the motor as required.
It is important to test the ignition switch and ensure the gas golf starts properly. If not, this might be the issue that is causing the gas golf cart to not budge.
Why Does My Golf Cart Run But Not Move?
A golf cart can run but not move when it is getting minimal power from the battery and/or the microswitch is malfunctioning. It’s recommended to test other electrical components in the golf cart (i.e. headlights) and also see if the connections are intact.
This is how you are going to get the gas golf cart to move.
What Happens When Golf Cart Solenoid Goes Bad?
If a golf cart solenoid goes bad, it is going to become discolored. This means the transfer of power to the motor is not going to be streamlined. This begins to impact how the gas golf cart moves including its not being able to move forward or go into reverse.
The best option when a golf cart solenoid is discolored is to swap it out.
This is how you are going to get the gas golf cart to move as required.
Final Thoughts
It’s recommended to follow these steps if a gas golf cart won’t go forward or reverse.
If a gas golf cart won’t go forward or reverse, the issue is likely a weak battery, a faulty microswitch, a damaged controller, a discolored solenoid, or improper battery connections. It’s recommended to test the power in the golf cart and then see if the switches are working properly.
This is how you are going to get to the bottom of what’s wrong with the gas golf cart when it does not move forward or backward.
The tips here will help with all golf carts. This includes learning how to charge a golf cart battery.
This includes Western golf carts, Yamaha golf carts, and EZ GO golf carts.