How to install a "kill switch" to avoid cart theft

michaelmc29

I'm sure someone out there has installed a "kill switch" in their gas cart as somewhat of a security measure. We have a firemen's convention every fall and there are thousands of golf carts at the place. I know all EZ-Go keys are the same, so I'm wanting to add a little bit of security to prevent the drunk idiots from getting any ideas with my cart...

Can anyone lend some insight?

BGW

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michaelmc29

I should have expanded a little bit. Is it as easy as buying a generic toggle switch and wiring it into one of the wires going to the key switch? If so, does it matter which wire? Obviously not the wire for the lights, but is the pos or ground wire ok to wire it? I'm not an electrician if you can't tell....

Gearhead1956

All you need to do is pull the switch out, and with a test light see what wire becomes hot when you turn the key. Cut that wire and run to one side of new switch. Other side of switch back to the other end of the wire you cut.

I have done this with cars. I would try to use a switch the came in the car.

IE, no one would ever think you would have to turn on the factory fog lights before the car would start!

BrewCityMusic

I have a customer who wired a relay so the ignition would turn on but the cart wouldn't start until the lights were turned on - simple, but something pretty effective.

On a simpler note, we install a toggle under the seat inline with the pedal microswitch on a LOT of carts, this also allows the ignition to be turned on for using the lights, radio, etc but prevents someone driving off with the cart unless they know about the switch and where it is.

capt4903

not a bad idea Michael....at Monticello convention, a friend in our camp had his cart stolen from one of the campsites while we were visiting.....found it the next day in the pond.....the d'bags that did it better not hope he finds out who they are....pretty sad when they do this to brother firefighters.....

michaelmc29

I agree.... We're all on the same team, why do something like that? I'm all for a good joke, but damaging property is not a joke to me...

Gearhead, thanks for the insight. Couldn't I also just do it on the constant hot wire going to the key? That one is a little easier to see and get at without removing the entire front cowl... haha

scottyb

As you can see this is not a one line topic.
There are many ways to disable a vehicle. I prefer something easy and simple.
One member simply ran the key switch feed to a pull style light switch. The switch had a pic of the lights on it. The switch had to pulled on for the cart to run.

nwocart

well I was going to do that myself last year for a big event that I take my cart to, to avoid theft. However after I went to bed my buddies simply picked up my seat and pulled the wires off the ignition and jumped them with a small piece of beer can. Its really that simple and anyone that knows how they work can easily get your cart moving. I will say that an added switch would definitely be a deterrent because they probably wont want to follow the wires to find where it is. I really like the idea of hooking them into the lights, thats a good idea.

the fool proof way in my opinion was to just run a short chain through the steering wheel to the arm rest. at leas tthey wont be able to turn it - or get on it very quickly from the drivers side.

Gearhead1956

Yep, that will work also

Dabble Inn

Great topic....

Years ago I added one of those aftermarket plastic dashboards with the two locking glove compartment doors on my 85 Marathon, Then I eliminated the key switch completely and wired in a little hidden toggle switch behind and towards the center of the dash.

It's easy to reach IF ya know where it's at and I can lock the doors for added security too, No one has ever known it's there......

Except for the millions of yous out there on the net now LOLOL