Yes, you can take the governor off a golf cart to increase its speed. This process, often called golf cart governor removal, is a common golf cart performance modification. It allows owners to disable golf cart speed limiter settings installed by the factory. Many people look for ways to achieve golf cart speed adjustment or are interested in how to bypass golf cart governor systems to enjoy faster rides.
Why Golf Carts Have Speed Limiters
Golf carts come with governors from the factory. This is not an accident. These governors limit how fast the cart can travel. This limits is set for several important reasons.
Safety First
The main reason is safety. Golf carts are not designed for highway speeds. They have light frames and simple braking systems. Going too fast makes them unstable, especially on turns. Slow speeds keep riders safe.
Legal Requirements
Many areas have laws about golf cart speed. Streets where carts are allowed often have low speed limits. The factory setting ensures the cart meets these rules right away.
Component Longevity
Golf cart parts wear out faster when pushed too hard. The motor, controller, and batteries all work harder at top speed. Limiting the speed helps these parts last longer.
Is Removing the Governor Legal?
This is a crucial point. Before attempting golf cart speed adjustment, check your local laws. In many places, street-legal golf carts must meet specific speed limits. Removing the governor might make your cart illegal for road use. Always check with your local DMV or city hall. This guide focuses on the how-to for maintenance or off-road use only.
Preparation for Governor Removal
Removing a governor is a hands-on job. You need the right tools and clear steps. Before you start, identify your cart’s brand. The process differs slightly between the major makers like remove governor on EZ-GO, Club Car golf cart governor removal, and Yamaha models.
Essential Tools List
Gather these items before you start working:
- Safety glasses and gloves
- Basic wrench set and socket set
- Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead)
- Volt meter (sometimes needed)
- Flashlight or work light
- Owner’s manual for your specific cart model
Identifying Your Cart Type
Knowing your cart’s manufacturer is the first step.
| Manufacturer | Common Governor Type | Location Clues |
|---|---|---|
| EZ-GO | Electronic (Controller setting or wire bypass) | Near the main controller or solenoid. |
| Club Car | Mechanical (Cable or lever) or Electronic | Often near the transaxle or accelerator pedal. |
| Yamaha | Electronic Chip or Speed Sensor (Often called a “speed chip”) | Usually found near the motor or controller box. |
Golf Cart Governor Removal: Brand-Specific Methods
The most common methods involve dealing with either a physical linkage (older, simpler carts) or an electronic signal (modern carts). Increasing golf cart top speed often means dealing with the electronic controls.
Remove Governor on EZ-GO Carts
EZ-GO carts often use an electronic speed controller. The governor function is usually managed by the controller’s programming or by a specific wire connection.
Method 1: The Speed Sensor Wire Bypass (Common on Series Carts)
On older EZ-GO series carts, you might find a small speed sensor wire.
- Locate the Controller: Open the seat and look for the large control box.
- Find the Speed Sensor: Trace wires going to the motor area. You are looking for a small wire, sometimes white or yellow, that feeds back to the controller.
- Test the Connection: Disconnect this wire. In some models, simply disconnecting it stops the controller from limiting the speed.
- Test Drive: Reconnect the battery and carefully test the cart at slow speeds. If it accelerates faster, you have succeeded in disabling the golf cart speed limiter.
Method 2: Using an Advanced Programmer or Switch
Newer, DCS or PDS (Drive Control System or Programmable Drive System) EZ-GOs often require a special programmer tool. This tool plugs into the controller’s diagnostic port. It lets you digitally change the top speed setting. Some aftermarket solutions involve installing a toggle switch that bypasses a safety circuit, effectively achieving golf cart speed adjustment without factory tools.
Club Car Golf Cart Governor Removal
Club Car carts can use mechanical linkages or electronic limits depending on the age and model (e.g., DS vs. Precedent).
Mechanical Governor Removal (Older Models)
Older Club Cars sometimes have a physical governor attached to the drive belt or linkage connected to the gas pedal or throttle assembly.
- Access the Engine Bay: Open the rear access panel.
- Locate the Governor: It looks like a small box with linkage arms connected to the carburetor linkage (if gas) or the throttle cable (if electric).
- Disconnect Linkage: Carefully remove the linkage rod connecting the governor mechanism to the throttle. Secure the throttle linkage so it can move freely to its full extent. Note: On gas models, this affects the carburetor’s throttle opening, not just the speed.
- Disable the Mechanism: Some mechanics simply remove the governor entirely, plugging any holes left behind. Others lock the linkage in the ‘wide open’ position.
Electronic Governor Bypass (Newer Models)
Modern Club Cars use the speed sensor input to the Motor Speed Control Unit (MSCU).
- Find the Controller: Locate the controller box.
- Identify the Speed Sensor Wire: This wire usually sends speed data back to the controller. Cutting or bypassing this specific wire is the golf cart speed control device workaround. Consult your wiring diagram, as colors vary widely.
Yamaha Golf Cart Speed Chip and Controller Adjustments
Yamaha carts often use a specialized electronic component, sometimes referred to as a Yamaha golf cart speed chip, or they rely on the digital settings in their Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) or motor control unit.
- Locate the “Speed Chip” Port: Yamaha carts frequently have an access port or plug specifically for speed settings, often near the forward/reverse switch or under the seat.
- Using a Jumper or Programmer: To disable the limiter, you might need a specialized “speed key” or plug that shorts the correct pins on this port. This signals the cart’s computer to ignore the factory speed limit.
- Controller Access: For newer models, similar to EZ-GO, accessing the controller through a diagnostic plug with a handheld programmer is the most reliable method for precise golf cart speed adjustment.
The Electronic Approach: Dealing with Controllers
Most modern speed limiting is done through the cart’s main electronic brain—the controller. This is why simple mechanical disconnection often doesn’t work anymore. The controller reads the input from the throttle pedal and limits the power output based on pre-set parameters.
Common Controller Limiters
Controllers often have limits based on:
- Throttle Position: The controller limits power even if the pedal is fully depressed.
- Voltage Settings: Lower voltages (like running 36V instead of 48V) naturally limit speed.
- Regenerative Braking Settings: Aggressive braking can sometimes interfere with speed attempts.
The Role of the Solenoid
On series-wound DC motors, the solenoid is the main switch that sends full power to the motor. Bypassing the speed limiter does not mean bypassing the solenoid. It means telling the controller how much current to send through the solenoid to the motor.
Beyond Governor Removal: True Performance Modifications
Simply taking off the governor allows the motor to spin faster based on the existing electrical limits. If you truly want increasing golf cart top speed significantly, you will likely need more than just golf cart governor removal.
Upgrading the Controller
A stock controller is programmed to handle a certain amount of amperage safely. Removing the governor might allow the motor to hit its maximum RPM, but the stock controller might restrict the current (amps) going to the motor, capping the actual speed gain.
- Solution: Install an aftermarket high-performance controller. These controllers are designed to handle higher amperage, which translates directly into more power and speed, provided you have the right motor and battery bank to support it.
Motor Swap
If the stock motor cannot handle the required RPMs safely, or if it runs too hot when pushed past its original limits, a motor upgrade is needed. High-speed motors are specifically wound for higher RPMs. This is the most expensive but most effective way to maximize speed.
Battery System Improvements
More power requires more juice.
- Voltage Increase: Moving from a 36-volt system to a 48-volt or 72-volt system is a massive step in increasing golf cart top speed. Higher voltage directly increases motor speed potential.
- Battery Type: Switching from standard flooded lead-acid batteries to AGM or Lithium-Ion batteries provides more consistent current delivery under load, helping maintain top speed longer.
Safety Considerations After Disabling the Limiter
Once you have successfully performed the golf cart speed adjustment, safety becomes paramount. You have effectively turned a slow utility vehicle into a much faster machine without upgrading its safety features.
Braking Distance
Faster speeds mean significantly longer stopping distances. Test your brakes gently in a safe, open area first. Stock brakes might not be up to the task of stopping a cart suddenly when it travels at 20 mph instead of 12 mph.
Tire Ratings
Check your tire specifications. Standard golf cart tires are rated for low speeds. Extremely high speeds can cause tire failure, leading to dangerous blowouts. Ensure your tires are rated for the new top speed you have achieved.
Suspension Stress
The suspension components were designed for low speeds and light loads. Higher speeds put more stress on shocks, springs, and bushings. Listen for unusual noises or feel for excessive bouncing during testing.
FAQ: Common Questions About Governor Modification
Q: Will removing the governor hurt my golf cart motor?
A: It can hurt the motor if you over-rev it beyond its safe mechanical limits, or if the stock controller limits power, causing the motor to overheat trying to keep up. If you simply bypass an electronic limiter and the motor runs within its safe power band, it should be fine, especially if you upgrade the controller simultaneously.
Q: Can I just cut the speed limiter wire?
A: On some older EZ-GO and Club Car models, yes, cutting a specific speed sensor wire is the how to bypass golf cart governor method. However, on modern carts, cutting the wrong wire can disable the cart entirely or cause error codes on the controller. Always confirm the correct wire first.
Q: How much faster will my cart go after governor removal?
A: This varies greatly. If you only remove the limiter on a stock cart, you might gain 3 to 7 MPH. If you combine golf cart governor removal with an upgraded controller and higher voltage, speeds of 25 to 30+ MPH are achievable on carts previously limited to 15 MPH.
Q: Is there a way to reverse the governor removal?
A: Yes. If you removed a physical linkage, you can reattach it. If you bypassed an electronic wire, you simply reconnect that wire. If you reprogrammed the controller, you can usually plug in a factory programmer tool and reset the parameters back to default, reversing the golf cart speed adjustment.
Q: Does removing the governor on a gas cart affect the fuel mixture?
A: On gas carts, the mechanical governor limits the throttle opening. Removing it allows the throttle to open fully, giving the engine more air and fuel. This usually means the engine runs richer (more fuel) or might need carburetor adjustment to run optimally at the higher RPMs.