1988 EZGO Gas Cart hard to start

[Wilson91573]

I have a 88 ezgo gas cart. It will run great, however st times when I get on it to go somewhere I have to rock back and forth in the seat to get it to start and go. If my wife or kids get on it I have to push/rock it back and forth to get it to go. Don’t have to do it all the time but it is starting to happen much more often. Can someone point me in the right direction? After it starts it will run great, and as long as it is still moving it will start up and keep going again.

[CP241]

It sounds like worn brushes in the starter/gen to me. I’d start by looking there

[Wilson91573]

Thanks for the advice. I bought this cart about 2 months ago. I am really handy with working on things. Where can I get a diagram of the cart from?

[cart around]

Post #22 has your manual. https://buggiesgonewild.com/showthre...=105501&page=3

[CP241]

Just pull the rubber cover off the starter gen. Look at the back of the brush

This pic courtesy of the goog search shows a worn brush, notice it’s inside the brush guide. A good brush should stick out over the top of the guide 1/4” or maybe a bit more.

If your brush is sunk into the guide like this then they’re worn

[LukeL]

If rocking it to start it helps it could be the primary clutch isn’t opening all the way when the engine stops. I had that problem on an 89 or 90 Marathon and that would make it difficult to turn over because the belt couldn’t slide. Replacing the drive clutch solved it for me.

[Lochlin]

Check the tightness and condition of the starter belt as well. It's possible that the starter is spinning inside of the belt without actually turning it until you add the external motion.