2003 Club Car DS Gas - Clutch engagement in cold weather

2003CCDS

2003 Club Car DS gas

On a few occasions and when the weather is cold (close to freezing / 32F), my cart engine will start fine but not move even if you press the gas pedal to the floor. The engine runs at low idle speed, but the clutch doesn't seem to engage. If you try it a few more times, the clutch will engage and it then drives normally. I recently replaced the drive belt. And unfortunately I haven't had a second person push the pedal while I lift the seat to see what's going on (yet).

FYI: When the cart does drive normally, you have to press the pedal about a quarter of the way down before the cart starts to move.

I don't know if any prior owners ever worked on or changed the clutch.

Is it time to replace the clutch or is this a different issue?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

BGW

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lockman1

This right here tells me that the engine is just turning over... and it's not running!
Have you pushed, and held in the choke until it gets going?

meimk

To expand a little on what Lockman has already correctly stated: The drive clutch has to spin fast enough to overcome the designed in spring tension before the clutch plates will close in on the belt. Cranking over on the starter won't turn it fast enough to do that. Until the engine is running under it's own power and able to accelerate the cart will not move. It sounds like it's working just like it's supposed to. Just hold the choke a bit longer till the engine is able to pick up speed.

2003CCDS

Thanks guys, both right, that immediately fixed it. I feel like a dufus. Owned this thing for just over a year now and never, ever came close to needing to choke the engine (Houston climate). So, it didn't even cross my mind to try that. Thanks!

lockman1

Don't feel bad! Your not the only one... it's more common than you think!

When I was looking to buy my present cart, (previous cart was a sparky) I was getting ready to test drive it, and it wouldn't start... ???
so I "pumped" the choke button BEFORE stepping on the GO pedal, (like you would with the primer bulb on a weed whacker)

My CC dealer looked at me with one of those grins, and said... "You have to hold the choke in while starting it!" and I said... "Oh!"
I held the choke in briefly while starting it, and off I went!

I'm glad it was that easy for you!

Golf cart guy

Tomorrow my phone will be ringing that a customers cart wont start (cold weather here in FL) and I'll have to explain how to use the choke.