Most people call me and describe a noise. Some of those noises are nothing and some mean park it right now. Here is a rough translation guide.
Clicking when you press the pedal, but no movement
Usually the solenoid. That click is it trying to close and either not making contact or not getting enough voltage behind it.
Common causes are a weak pack, a bad solenoid, or a corroded connection somewhere in the circuit. On an electric cart this is one of the more common calls I get and it is usually not expensive.
Can you keep driving it? It is not going anywhere, so the question answers itself.
A whine that rises and falls with speed
On an electric cart, some motor whine is completely normal, especially on an older series wound motor. It should be a steady, even sound.
What is not normal is a whine that has gotten louder over time, has a rougher edge to it, or comes with any vibration. That points at bearings, in the motor or in the rear end.
Keep driving it? For a short time, but get it looked at. Bearings do not get better and a failed one can take the motor with it.
Clunk over bumps
Almost always suspension or steering. Worn bushings, a tired shock, a loose shackle on the rear leaf springs, or play in the front end.
This is a wear item and it is common on any cart with some age, especially one that lives on gravel.
Keep driving it? Generally yes, but get it checked, because a clunk that is actually loose steering components is a different and more serious thing than a worn bushing.
Grinding when braking
Pads or shoes are done and you are into metal. There is no other reasonable explanation for that sound.
Keep driving it? No. Every mile is now damaging the drum or rotor and turning a cheap repair into a more expensive one.
Squealing on a gas cart, especially when cold
Usually a belt. The drive belt or the starter generator belt glazes or stretches and slips until things warm up.
Keep driving it? Short term yes. A belt that is slipping is not doing its job well though, and on a starter generator belt a failure means no charging.
Rattling from underneath
Something loose. Heat shield, a bracket, an exhaust hanger on a gas cart, or an accessory somebody added and did not secure well.
Worth finding, because whatever is rattling is eventually going to fall off, and sometimes it takes something else with it.
Backfiring on a gas cart
Fuel or ignition. Often a carburetor that needs cleaning, bad or old fuel, or an ignition timing issue.
Very common in the spring on a cart that sat all winter with untreated fuel in it, which is a good argument for the winterization I keep going on about.
A hiss or bubbling from the batteries while charging
Some gassing at the end of a charge cycle is normal on flooded lead acid. Heavy, continuous bubbling, a strong sulfur smell, or a battery that is hot to the touch is not.
Keep driving it? Stop charging it and call somebody. An overcharging battery is a real hazard.
The rule of thumb
Noises that change with wheel speed are usually drivetrain or bearings. Noises that change with motor speed are usually motor. Noises that happen over bumps are suspension. Noises that happen when you brake are brakes.
And any noise that appeared suddenly deserves more attention than one that came on gradually.
Not sure which one you have? Call me and hold the phone up to it. I have diagnosed a lot of carts that way. 406.270.9346.