1978 E-Z Go Marathon, Gas, Starting Problem. I have to disconnect the battery and then reconnect it and it will start?

[twotowers2]

Starts no problem 50% of the time. Then to get it to start I have to disconnect the battery. I can hear a click when I do this. Then it will start right up.

Thanks

[golfcartg]

It sounds like you might be dealing with something as simple as a bad battery. Even if the battery seems to have power, it could be failing intermittently which would explain why disconnecting and reconnecting it sometimes gets the cart to start again. When the battery is weak or has internal issues, it may not hold a steady charge, and the act of disconnecting and reconnecting it can temporarily "reset" the electrical flow, allowing the cart to start. I would suggest testing the battery or swapping it out with a known good one to see if that resolves the issue.

If your cart has the EC25-DS engine, this engine was unique because it featured an internal starter/generator, unlike most other E-Z-GO models from that era which typically used an external S/G. This setup was only offered for a few years so it’s a bit of an oddball compared to the more common external systems. The internal starter/generator in the EC25-DS handles both starting the engine and charging the battery while the engine is running.

Given the age of the cart, the brushes inside the internal starter/generator may have worn down over time leading to poor electrical contact. If the battery swap doesn’t resolve the issue it’s worth checking the condition of the brushes. When they wear out, they can cause intermittent starting problems like what you’re experiencing. Replacing the brushes could restore proper operation. Since the internal S/G is less common, I’d recommend having a look at this attached diagram to help guide you through the process as it differs from the more familiar external systems used on other E-Z-GO carts. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask!