98 DS Gas / Intermittent Slow/No Start then Fine

[98DSGasser]

Hi,

New member, first post. First time CC owner.
98/FE290 - purchased about two months ago.

History: For a week or so, I have been sensing a hesitation on starting but wasn't sure if I were just imagining things. But tonight it stranded me for about 10 minutes before returning to a normal operation.

Here are tonight's details.

1. Cold / first start of the day - no issue. Drove out to the shop to change the oil/filter.

2. After changing the oil/filter, I started it up to run it after the oil change. I sensed a slight delay but it started up. I ran to the end of the drive, turned around and stopped to recheck the oil level.

3. 10 minutes or so later, similar slight delay but started on up. I stopped on the way up to the house to hose off engine. Then the major no start.

When I would press the Go pedal I could hear something trying to work. But it would not start up. This would occur exactly the same in F or R.

After about 10 minutes as I considered my options, to my surprise it started up with no hesitation and ran fine. Two additional start/stop/start/stop sequences - all fine.

It is dark so had to stop everything. I have been reading this forum since trying to figure it out but have only been able to check the battery voltage (12.8V) and the starter/generator belt (old but seems tight). I first thought low battery, due to a 12V sprayer had been connected to the battery overnight/all day but the battery voltage seems fine. (I now have the sprayer completely disconnected).

I will get back on it in the morning but something is definitely not right. I don't think the oil change or subsequent hosing of the engine is a contributor due to my sensing this delay for about a week now.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help!

Regards,
Steven
98DSGasser

[crash12888]

First point of business, Welcome to the nuthouse, some great people and talent here.
Remove the seat so you can watch what's happening, on the back side of the F/R shifter, there is a yellow plastic three lobe part that you can pull out and rotate until it locks back in place.
That is a "maintenance mode" safety interlock system that prevents you from accidently starting the cart in gear while working on it.
But don't forget to return it to the run position when finished or it will not start in gear.

Anyway, once in "MM", put the shifter in the middle of F-R and push the pedal, try to notice if the starter pulley is spinning under the belt or the starter is trying to spin but doesn't right away and then spins.
Try to describe what's happening under there and we can go from there.....

[98DSGasser]

Thanks Crash for the nice welcome.

I think the belt may be the issue. After putting in maintenance mode (thanks for that tip!) the cart performed correctly and as expected. No hesitation and fired right up.

But, the belt is old, narrow and cracked. Maybe when there is just enough wear to start the slippage and last night the moisture from the water was more than it could overcome?? Just a hunch right now. Let me get the belt swapped out and I will report back. Hopefully I can get that done today.

Thanks again!
Steven

[98DSGasser]

Update: I replaced the starter/generator belt and the car is working just fine. I will have to monitor to see if the hesitation returns. I wish I would have put it in maintenance mode when it would go. I suspect the starter / generator was spinning and the belt was slipping. But, no way to confirm that now.

I wanted to take a second and thank whoever out this wonderful group together. I mean by reading and doing so I am way ahead now in understanding how these cars work. And, therefore, a little better prepared to trouble shoot when things aren’t right.

Thanks again and everyone have a great day.

Steven

[98DSGasser]

Originally Posted by 98DSGasser

Update: I replaced the starter/generator belt and the car is working just fine. I will have to monitor to see if the hesitation returns. I wish I would have put it in maintenance mode when it would <edit -- would NOT> go. I suspect the starter / generator was spinning and the belt was slipping. But, no way to confirm that now.

I wanted to take a second and thank whoever out this wonderful group together. I mean by reading and doing so I am way ahead now in understanding how these cars work. And, therefore, a little better prepared to trouble shoot when things aren’t right.

Thanks again and everyone have a great day.

Steven

Is there no post EDIT capability??

I am responding to fix my typo above.

[crash12888]

Should be at the bottom right of your post the option to edit your post but not sure how long it's there before it vanishes.

[98DSGasser]

Hi Crash,

Nope - don't see the edit button. And I sure butchered up that 2nd update post by typing on my phone. That seems to always result in a messed up post but I was anxious and wanted to provide both an update and a big thanks!

Take care and thanks again.

[crash12888]

I wouldn't loose any sleep over your grammar or mistakes, we got rid of the grammar Nazi's long ago.
As you spend more time here you will understand why, you have 5 posts so maybe that's why you can't see it yet.
Maybe one of the mods will know.....happy cart'in!!!

[poppydom]

I seem to have the same problem even with a fully charged battery. In maintenance mode it does start right away but it has about a 1-3 second hesitation and then it starts. I checked the charging voltage when its running and am getting 14.6V at the battery so assume the starter/gen is working. I just dont get the time delay and should I change the belt even though its old its got good tension and I see no slippage when starting

[ReelTight]

I’ve had issues with my cart where the rev limiter was causing similar issues. I chased all sorts of demons before I unplugged the rev limiter and gave it a go. I installed on a tiny tach and have never look back.