1983 G1 Runs but won’t move

[Jbhansen]

New to golf carts and to forums so please forgive me if I’m doing this wrong. Just got 1983 G1 and paid my auto mechanic to get it running. New battery and spark plug, rebuild carburetor, clean out fuel tank, and replace fuel lines ($310). Ran great both forward and reverse for 3 days, wife drove it a lot up and down the road as her dog loves riding on them. Was driving and it just stopped moving, but engine was running. Now engine starts running as soon as you turn the key without pushing the gas pedal and will just sit there and idle. It does this with key turned both forward and reverse. Previously the engine only started when you pressed the gas pedal. It will not rev with either the pedal or the throttle. This is the same problem my brother was having before he gave it to me after sitting in his field for a year or so. He would take it to cart dealer near him, get it back working fine and then no movement after a couple of days. I’m really hopeful that it is a simple fix as I’m not very mechanically inclined.

[meimk]

It is not actually running , but rather turning on the starter. It has to accelerate to higher rpm than the starter can provide in order for the drive clutch to close on the drive belt and make the cart move. Jack up the rear so the wheels are off the ground and try a little either or carb cleaner spray into the intake and see if it will rev up for just a moment. While it can be either a spark or fuel condition, this "test" would confirm if it is a fuel delivery issue or not.

[Lochlin]

Sounds like you may have a couple of things going on there. First, the cart shouldn't be turning over when the key switch it turned. There is a stop switch that activates when you press the accelerator pedal. I bet your switch is stuck closed and needs replaced. That shouldn't impact your non-running cart, though. Assuming you don't have an inline spark checker check for spark by taking the plug out, put the plug cable back on it, put the butt end of the plug against the motor somewhere and allow the engine to turn. If you see spark down there then you probably have a fuel issue like meimk describes.

At some point, you are going to have to get a compression tester and check that. Harbor Freight has them or you can get one from Amazon or something. They don't cost much.

[Jbhansen]

Thanks for helping. It didn’t start with ether. I bought an inline spark plug tester and there was no spark. I’m guessing that there is a short somewhere that will have to be traced back. That is beyond my ability, so back to the mechanic. Let me know if my thought process about a short doesn’t sound right or if you have any other ideas. I will pass them along to my mechanic as this is the first golf cart that he has worked on and he is learning as he goes.

[mikeasis]

Originally Posted by Jbhansen

Thanks for helping. It didn’t start with ether. I bought an inline spark plug tester and there was no spark. I’m guessing that there is a short somewhere that will have to be traced back. That is beyond my ability, so back to the mechanic. Let me know if my thought process about a short doesn’t sound right or if you have any other ideas. I will pass them along to my mechanic as this is the first golf cart that he has worked on and he is learning as he goes.

agree with what these guys have said. I do think you have a key switch issue. you can get them off ebay fairly cheap. the spark issues maybe something all together different.

heres a link to a service manual
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/garag...ir-manual.html