5 Signs Of Bad Brushes In Golf Cart Motor – Here’s What To Do

Brushes play an extremely critical role in this matter as it’s directly connected with the electrical flow that powers through the motor. Hence, any signs of deteriorating brushes can’t be ignored as they can threaten your golf cart’s longevity.

The most common signs include noisy motor, inconsistent performance, regular jerky movements of the golf cart motor, and so on. Troubleshooting techniques like inspection, testing, and repairing can easily fix the underlying issue causing these symptoms. 

However, without knowing the culprit behind these causes, you won’t be able to troubleshoot or identify the problem. To help you do so, here are 5 major signs of bad brushes in golf cart motor with solutions that you need to know- 

1. Your Golf Cart Motor Starts and Stops Inconsistently 

It can be quite frustrating to deal with inconsistent power loss in a golf cart motor, which usually indicates an issue related to bad motor brushes. That’s because brushes play a very stagnant role in transferring electrical energy throughout the motor. Hence when compromised, it results in inconsistent power and your cart starts and stops irregularly. 

Reasons behind this inconsistent performance include- 

• Worn-out golf brushes: since brushes don’t have an infinite lifespan, they undergo wear and tear due to extended usage and decrease the contact with the armature, which causes inconsistent power. It’s similar to the symptoms of a bad armature.
• Loose or corroded wire connections: corrosion can take place for foreign objects and wires may get loose for vibrations, which can be a culprit behind the issue. 
• Damaged cables: if the wires connected to the brushes get damaged, you’ll notice this sign. 

Here’s how you Troubleshoot- 

1. Turn your golf cart off and disconnect the battery 
2. Reach out to the wiring harness and check for corrosion or loose wires. 
3. Ensure all the wires are free from corrosion or dirt, if you find any clean the terminals.
4. If you find damaged cables and messed up wire in the ignition coil, replace it. 
5. Access the brushes by removing the motor housing carefully. 
6. Check the brushes for tears and replace them with a new set if necessary.
7. Reconnect the battery and do a test run. 

2. The Motor Makes Unusual Noises 

When you hear unusual noises transpiring from the motor of your golf cart, be certain that it’s a sign of bad golf brushes. Misaligned brushes often get into friction with each other and produce a squealing sound, which is also responsible for disrupting the smooth electrical connections between components. 

Factors that cause this noise include- 

• Damaged brushes: for over usage, brushes eventually start wearing down. When that happens they start dissociating contact with the armature which damages the brushes and causes this squeaking sound. 
• Misaligned brushes: friction is caused when brushes are not aligned with the armature and in turn causes the noise that emanates from the brushes. 

Here’s how you Troubleshoot- 

1. Access the brushes by removing the motor housing. Make sure the golf cart is in parking mode. 
2. Inspect visually for worn-out brushes. 
3. Replace them with new compatible brushes of the appropriate size. 
4. Check the alignment and fix it to sit properly with the armature. 
5. Assemble the motor cover securely 
6. Do a test run and check whether the noise still transpires. 
7. Seek professional help if needed. 

3. Golf Cart isn’t Efficient Anymore

Experiencing low motor efficiency in your golf cart indicates that the motor isn’t working to its optimal level. This symptom points out the brushes being bad because they play a significant role in the motor’s inefficient performance.

The reasons behind your golf cart being not efficient include- 

• Irregular voltage: when there are irregularities in the voltage supply to the motor, fluctuations take place, and that causes the brushes to undergo wear and tear, which induces the making of bad brushes.
• Contaminated golf brushes: dirt buildup on the brushes restricts current flow in the electrical terminals which eventually decreases the car’s efficiency. 
• Heated motor components: overuse produces excessive heat on the motor, which largely affects the contact of the brushes with the electrical lines of the armature and leads to the loss of efficiency. 

Here’s how you Troubleshoot- 

1. Put your golf cart in the parking brake position.
2. Access the brushes after removing the Motor cover and inspect it. 
3. Check for worn-out brushes. If you do find them, get replacement brushes with the proper size and material. 
4. Check the wires of the motor for burns and alignment. If it’s burnt, replacement is necessary.
5. If the electrical wires of the motor are not aligned properly, fixate and tighten it. Perform a test run whether the efficiency improves or not. 
6. Inspect the motor for damage, if it’s damaged replace it. 
7. Get help from a professional for replacement. 

4. Your Golf Cart Overheats 

You know it’s concerning when your golf cart motor starts overheating out of the blue. In most cases, this scenario is a symptom of bad brushes since brushes are responsible for reducing friction during motor function, which prevents heat buildup. Hence when the brushes are malfunctioning, your golf cart tends to overheat. 

Some factors that cause your golf cart to overheat involve- 

• Insufficiently lubricated brushes: if the brushes face a lack of lubrication, they fail to reduce the friction within the moving parts of the motor and cause it to overheat. 
• Poor contact between Brushes: when proper contact doesn’t take place between the brushes and the armature, the resistance increases and heat is generated quickly. 
• Restricted airflow: inadequate airflow between the motor slows down the cooling process and restricts the brushes to contact properly which results in the motor overheating. 

Here’s how you Troubleshoot- 

1. Check the motor after turning the cart off. 
2. Inspect the motor whether it has proper alignment with the armature or not. If not, adjust the brushes to be in contact with the armature. 
3. Check for dirt or debris and clean it with a dry cloth for better airflow in the motor. 
4. Inspect the motor and see if the cooling fan is working correctly. 
5. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines and see the lubrication specifications to apply lubrication on the motor appropriately. 
6. If you find the motor to be damaged, get a replacement through a professional. 

5. The Brushes Sparkle

When the brushes sparkle, it indicates electrical issues within the motor caused by bad brushes. This prolonged symptom can cause electrical damage, decreased motor functionality and accelerate the brush’s wear and tear. Not knowing the causes will only increase the sparkle even more. 

The factors that make the brushes sparkle include- 

• Excessive resistance in electrical parts: when the electrical connections go through excessive resistance, you’ll see sparkling brushes. Bad brushes cause the terminals and cables to dissociate which accelerates the resistance. 
• Misaligned brushes: uneven contact between the brushes and the armature decreases the motor function and causes the brushes to sparkle. 
• Worn-out brushes: for prolonged usage, brushes undergo wear and tear and the damage prevents them from properly functioning with the motor which results in sparkling brushes. 

Here’s how you Troubleshoot- 

1. Disconnect the battery after engaging in parking mode. 
2. Inspect for worn-out or damaged brushes, if you find any get a new replacement. 
3. Inspect the electrical cables and terminals connected to the motor and the brush. 
4. Adjust the alignment if the brushes are out of place. 
5. If the cables are damaged, get new cables or replacement with the help of a technician. 

so When to Replace Brushes in an Electric Motor

Electric motors are susceptible to worn-out brushes when put through prolonged use. However, it’s imperative to replace the brushes when your golf cart faces symptoms of bad brushes in electric motor and these include- 

• Damaged electrical components 
• Worn out brushes 
• Frayed brushes 
• Near the end of the lifespan brushes 
• Sticky dirt stuck to the brushes 
• Overheating issues caused by the brushes 
• Sparkling or grinding brushes 
• Inconsistent efficiency in motor functions.

Make sure you inspect thoroughly before you get any replacement. You can always contact your local mechanic if you’re confused about these replacements. 

our verdict on Bad Brushes In Golf Cart Motor problems

Being wary of signs of bad brushes in golf cart motor is imperative as not taking action in time can induce huge danger to the longevity of your cart. To prevent further damage it’s important that you follow the instructions given above and thoroughly inspect when you come in contact with these signs. 

However, don’t worry too much as taking proper actions will prevent heavy damage to your golf cart and you can operate it just as new.    

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