When it comes to most people, starting up a golf cart is an easy process. For others, concise and clear explanations are required. However, for all people, when the key is not turning on the golf cart anymore, we need to look towards alternative ways of turning on a golf cart.
These other methods, with or without a key, to turn on a golf cart will be explained down below.
However, we cannot stress enough that you should not attempt to fix your golf cart yourself because there is a serious risk of injury or fatality. We are not responsible for any issues that may arise, no matter how serious. You always need to do your own research, and consult the relevant professionals, such as electricians, mechanics, and more. Let the professionals fix your golf cart.
How to Start a Golf Cart?
There are many ways to start a golf cart. Some are safer than others, so be careful, and whatever you try is at your own risk. Consult professionals, and let them do any handling of your golf cart. You should not attempt to fix your golf cart yourself.
How to Start a Golf Cart with a Key?
If you have your golf cart key, and it is functioning, then you are in luck!
Step 1: Sit in your golf cart.
Step 2: Put the golf cart key in the golf cart ignition.
Step 3: Turn the key in the ignition to turn on the golf cart.
How to Start a Golf Cart without a Key?
If you lost your golf cart key and are desperate for a solution, fear not! There are other ways to turn on your golf cart. Read about the techniques down below to turn on a golf cart without a key.
Technique #1: Order a key from the manufacturer
The best, cleanest, and most long-lasting solution to a lost key is simply to order a new one from the manufacturer of your golf cart.
Simply open an internet browser and go to the website of your golf cart’s manufacturer. Look for a “Help” or “Contact” section to find either an e-mail form, an e-mail address, or a phone number you can contact.
Let them know that you lost your golf cart key, what your golf cart model is, and ask them if you can get a replacement. With a little bit of luck, they will be able to help you out, and you will be able to use your golf cart again as soon as the new key arrives.
Hopefully, this should cost under 100$, and it might even be free. Since golf carts are an expensive purchase, some golf cart companies will try to keep you satisfied during the entire product lifetime in order to have you as a repeat customer.
Another reason they might help you out is so that you give them referrals. Happy clients foster more clients for almost any company.
Technique #2: Borrow someone’s key who owns the same golf cart
If you lost your golf cart key, but do not have time to order a new one, one solution you can try is borrowing someone else’s golf cart key.
The tricky part here will be to find someone around you who has exactly the same brand, or preferably golf cart model as you to maximize the chances of their key working with your golf cart.
If you know a friend with the same golf cart as you, borrowing their key might be able to get you out of a tight spot. For example, if your golf cart is stuck somewhere where you should not leave it, like in the middle of a golf course, having your friend lend you their key could be extremely helpful, at least to drive your golf cart back home, or off the course.
Technique #3: Substitute your key with a flat-head screwdriver
For this technique, good if you lost your golf cart key, you will need a flat-head screwdriver.
Step 0: Blow air into the ignition keyhole to clean it of any particles and limit the risk of a fire hazard.
Step 1: Line the tip of the flat-end screwdriver with the powered ignition hole.
Step 2: Insert the screwdriver tip into the ignition.
Step 3: Wiggle the screwdriver around to make the screwdriver fit into the keyhole.
Step 4: Turn the screwdriver in the keyhole to turn on the golf cart, as many times as required. This might not work on the first attempt, so keep trying.
Technique #4: Hot-Wiring the golf cart
Before trying this method, you should attempt techniques #1, #2 and #3 because they are less dangerous.
The hot-wiring method essentially consists in bypassing the ignition switch and your keyhole by removing the wires from the ignition and connecting them so the power directly goes to the engine. As you can see below, in this configuration, the keyhole & ignition switch become obsolete.
To perform the hot-wiring technique, you are going to need wires that are compatible with your golf cart, electrical tape and wire strippers.
Step 1: Turn off the ignition switch of your golf cart to reduce risks of electrocution. Turn on the golf cart’s main power switch.
Step 2: Find your golf cart’s ignition switch wires. You should be able to locate these wires on the technical sheets of your golf cart. These wires are often located behind your seat. You will find two wires connecting to the ignition switch. Disconnect these two wires.
Step 3: Use wire strippers to reveal some of the metal in the two ignition switch wires, while holding the wires apart with their rubber parts. Be wary of an electrocution risk. Do not touch the metal of the wires, and do not the metal of the two wires touch each other.
Step 4: Carefully touch the metal parts of the two wires together for very short periods of time to try and turn on the golf cart engine. Do not keep the wires together for longer than an instant. You can cause a fire or electrocution if you hold the wires together too long.
Step 5: Once the golf cart engine turns on, very carefully use electrical tape to tape the two wires together to keep the engine running.
Step 6: Bring your golf cart ASAP to a mechanic or a garage who can fix the ignition system. Hot-wiring is not the safest method to bypass your keyhole, and so you should fix your golf carted safely as soon as possible.
Conclusion
With these tips, you hopefully manage to safely start your golf cart, whether or not you have a key! Make sure you fix your golf cart with a professional or order a new key to safely avoid any issues in the future!
We need to remind you that we cannot stress enough that you should not attempt to fix your golf cart yourself because there is a serious risk of injury or fatality. We are not responsible for any issues that may arise, no matter how serious. You always need to do your own research, and consult the relevant professionals, such as electricians, mechanics, and more. Let the professionals fix your golf cart.
Have you ever lost your golf cart key? Let us know in the comments down below!
