The solenoid is the primary electrical switch in your golf cart and is designed to ensure the current from the battery flows into the motor. When you press down on the gas pedal and hear a tapping-like sound, this is the sound of the solenoid activating. When there is a disruption in the flow of the electrical current, your cart will not operate.
Full Answer
What happens when the gas pedal fails on a golf cart?
When this unit has failed, the golf cart will start up and possibly take off, without hesitation. And as you travel, no matter how firmly you press on the gas pedal, the cart will not accelerate - even if it does momentarily, you won't be able to maintain that level of acceleration.
Do electric golf carts fail over time?
These carts can start to show signs of wear and may fail just like any other vehicle over time. Learn about some of the more common issues associated with electric golf carts. 1. Solenoid Wear
How does a starter work on an electric golf cart?
And it acts as a mechanical device that puts the starter pinion gear into position, so when the starter turns over it will be engaged with the flywheel just long enough for the engine to catch. For an electric golf cart, it functions in the same way, however there is no starter.
Why is my electric golf cart rippling?
An electric golf carts' controller is known as the heart of the operation and closely resembles and operates much like the motherboard in a computer. So a problem with the controller will have rippling effects throughout the cart. A common function of the speed controller is to control the speed of the golf cart.
Why does my electric golf cart hesitate when I accelerate?
In most cases, the hesitation problem occurs due to bad batteries. If you have bought new batteries for your EZGO RXV, make sure to fully charge them before the first use. Batteries should then be charged after every use. To keep the batteries in check, get a Digital MultiMeter to measure the individual voltage.
How do I know if my electric golf cart motor is bad?
You have enough going on in your life without your golf car refusing to start when you turn the key in the ignition. If your golf car won't start, is slower than it used to be, or is experiencing other technical problems, you could have a bad motor on your hands.
Why does my golf cart not accelerate?
Bad Solenoid If your golf cart does not accelerate, there is a possibility of the damaged solenoid. The solenoid is basically an electrical switch that enables the battery's flow from the battery into the motor. Check out the signs of the bad solenoid.
How do you know if you have a bad solenoid on a golf cart?
If your golf cart fails to turn on when you turn the key on, this is the most obvious sign of solenoid failure. The solenoid clicks a little with the ignition system in regular operation; in most cases, a failing solenoid will not snap.
How do you reset a golf cart electric motor?
First, you'll want to reset your motor. It should have a small reset button (Usually it will be red) located near the main battery supply. Hit the reset button and then put the cover back on the motor. The next step would be to recharge your cart and try turning it on again. If it starts up then you're in luck!
Why is my golf cart losing power?
If the coach goes without charge for a long time, the battery may lack the minimum voltage required to restart. Batteries also lose their efficiency with age. Golf Carts will run for approximately five years before the battery needs to be replaced or the charger will need replacement.
How do you troubleshoot an electric golf cart?
Ignition or Motor Issues Look for a small red button located near the main power supply. Press the button and put your cart back together before hooking it up to charge. In many cases, this will solve the problem. If it doesn't, try removing the motor and testing it with a separate, fully charged battery.
Where is the speed sensor located on a Club Car golf cart?
The speed sensor in a Club Car Precedent golf cart is located on the back of the motor. To remove the sensor, unplug the cables behind the motor. You can use a 5/16-inch socket to remove the pigtail connector and pop off the plastic housing that encases the speed sensor.
What does a potentiometer do on a golf cart?
It sends an electrical signal to the speed controller from the accelerator pedal, indicating the pedal's position. When it is working properly, the potentiometer allows your golf cart to accelerate smoothly. Find your potentiometer and inspect it for any cracks, broken parts, or disconnected wires.
Why is my electric golf cart jerking?
Jerking electric golf carts are probably more common than a jerking gas model. That's because most “jerking” concerns are caused by battery issues or a poor flow of electricity from the battery to the cart. Typically, you'll start to notice this problem when your cart needs to charge up.
How do you change a solenoid on a electric golf cart?
1:305:38Replace Solenoid in Golf Cart - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you start by removing the bolts that actually hold the solenoid to your golf cart wherever thatMoreSo you start by removing the bolts that actually hold the solenoid to your golf cart wherever that might be. And one of the tips i also like to mention is hold up your new solenoid.
How do you check if a solenoid is working?
Do your best to listen for a “click” noise. If the click is strong and loud, it most likely means the solenoid has enough power and is working properly. If the clicking you are hearing is quiet or repetitive, it may be that your solenoid is not strong enough or does not have enough power from the battery.
Why is my electric golf cart slow?
Your electric golf cart can struggle on inclines for a variety of reasons. Weak batteries, incorrect tires, and wear and tear to the motor and wiring are all potential causes of your cart’s slow speed.
Why does my golf cart go slow?
Our assessment of why does my electric golf cart goes slow uphill has yielded several answers. While battery problems tend to be the most common reason for slow speeds uphill. The size of your tires, speed, wire corrosion, and brake solenoid damage are also possible causes for your cart’s slow speeds. I recommend checking your batteries ...
What happens when a brake solenoid overheats?
When your brake solenoid overheats, it will pull all your power through the resistor spring, reducing the energy transmitted to your battery. YouTuber Mike Hughes found that disconnecting the two wires leading to the solenoid, along with the cart’s speed sensor, helped to improve the transmission of power to the motor.
Why are my cart batteries so slow?
As your batteries age, they are no longer able to hold a charge like they previously did. They, therefore, struggle to generate sufficient power under load. I have heard cart owners complain of slow speeds on inclines, even though their batteries had the proper voltage.
What factors affect your speed uphill?
The size of your cart tires is another factor that may be impacting your speed uphill. The larger your tires are, the more work your cart needs to do to get uphill.
How to tell if a battery is going slow?
The best way to identify if the batteries are the root of your go slow is to use some alligator clip test leads. Link your meter to the positive and negative connection of the cart. Then do a test, driving uphill to simulate the problems you have had.
Why do old batteries go uphill?
Older batteries tend to lose the ability to deliver sufficient torque to your cart, which would impact its performance going uphill.
Golf Cart General Introduction
The popular definition for a golf cart is that it is a small vehicle designed to carry two or more golfers and their equipment around the golf course or desert pathways to avoid walking effort.
Electric Golf Carts
The two main types of golf carts driven at the golf courses are gasoline and electric golf carts. Both of them function on the principle of a regular, less powerful gasoline or electric car, with some insignificant differences. Electric golf cars are popular with their environmentally friendly mode of operation.
Common Things That Can Go Wrong With An Electric Golf Cart
Buying and driving an electric golf cart, you should be aware that, just like other cars, it has a lifespan, and its parts also wear out. Some golfers perceive their carts as small, funny vehicles that can drive them around the golf course forever.
How To Avoid Or Mitigate The Issues
The key to avoiding or mitigating possible electrical golf carts malfunctioning is, as already mentioned a few times above, proper and regular maintenance. Golf cart owners should perceive their small electric vehicles as regular cars with a more restricted use range.
The Elite Of The Electrical Golf Carts
Pointing out so many common issues with the electrical golf carts may leave you with the wrong impression that they are pretty problematic vehicles. Let’s clarify that technical issues are typical for the used carts but are quite unusual for new carts with a warranty.
Electric Golf Carts FAQ
To determine whether your electric golf cart motor is bad or not, you need to test it first. Sometimes the problem is easy to detect, but sometimes you need to check the entire electrical system.
Sources
Wikipedia, “Golf Cart.” Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_cart Assessed June 8, 2021
What are the problems with electric golf carts?
These carts can start to show signs of wear and may fail just like any other vehicle over time. Learn about some of the more common issues associated with electric golf carts. 1. Solenoid Wear. The solenoid is the primary electrical switch in your golf cart and is designed to ensure the current from the battery flows into the motor. ...
Why do electric golf carts fail?
These carts can start to show signs of wear and may fail just like any other vehicle over time.
What is the controller on a golf cart?
An electric golf carts' controller is known as the heart of the operation and closely resembles and operates much like the motherboard in a computer. So a problem with the controller will have rippling effects throughout the cart. A common function of the speed controller is to control the speed of the golf cart.
Why does my gas cart not work?
When you press down on the gas pedal and hear a tapping-like sound, this is the sound of the solenoid activating. When there is a disruption in the flow of the electrical current , your cart will not operate. A common reason for current disruption is solenoid wear.
Why does my gas pedal have a current disruption?
A common reason for current disruption is solenoid wear. Each time the solenoid activates as you press down on the gas pedal, the solenoid compounds down onto a thin metal contact plate. Over time, the force of this pressure creates tiny electric arcs on the plates' surface. These arcs eventually create a resistance that prevents the current from properly flowing.
What happens if your cart doesn't move?
If the cart doesn't move in either direction, both switches have failed. Diagnosing a problem with the direction switches isn't a complicated matter, but repairing the switch is more complex, especially if the switches are built into the speed controller.
Why won't my sped controller accelerate?
Problems with the sped controller occur for a variety of reasons, but most often the cause is degradation due to age or lack of use.
What happens when you press down the gas pedal on a gas cart?
The solenoid gets pressed down to a thin plate. After repeated use of the cart and pressing down of the gas pedal, the pressure creates small electric arcs on the thin plate. This restricts the current from flowing.
Why do golf carts stall when accelerated?
If a golf cart runs in reverse, but stalls when running forward and accelerating, this indicates a faulty f/r switch.
Why does my EZGO golf cart hesitate?
The main reason why an EZGO Gas golf cart hesitates while accelerating, is because of a dirty carburetor. A dirty carburetor causes this hesitation. Regular cleaning can prevent this problem. Check the rubber boot and clean if you spot any dirt. In case it has worn out too much, you can replace the carburetor.
How to check for leaks in golf cart?
You can check for any leaks by following these steps: Crank up the golf cart and check every seal for leakage. You can also spray wd40 at the clutch to find leaks. When the cart becomes hot, the voltage also drops. So, make sure you provide enough voltage to the batteries so the cart can run.
How to check if a cart is stalling?
You can easily check that. Run your cart for a few feet and feel the temperature. The same loose ends can also cause the cart to stall. Check every connection inside the battery for proper connection.
Why does my golf cart stall?
The most common reason why your golf cart is stalling is due to a bad solenoid or a faulty speed controller. Batteries have lost charge. Faulty ignition. Problem with the direction switch. Faulty speed controller. Bad solenoid. The solenoid wears out every time the gas pedal is pressed down. The solenoid gets pressed down to a thin plate.
Why does my cart stutter?
If you change the battery, change the charger as well; otherwise, the battery will keep running down. If your cart seems to run fine for a few feet, and then it stutters, it is most likely the batteries. If it is not the battery, then check if it is the speed controller or the resistor.
Why does my golf cart make clicking sounds?
On a gas golf cart, the most common symptom is the starter failing to engage – so the engine doesn’t turn over – while all you hear a series of very futile clicking sounds.
What does it mean when a golf cart solenoid goes bad?
Technically, in fact, a solenoid is a shape – a shape in which the length of something coiled is longer than the diameter of the coils. In engine starters, this refers to the smaller motor ...
What are the symptoms of a bad solenoid on a golf cart?
In addition, the spring that pulls the pinion back to its resting position could wear down leaving the starter engaged continuously. (Starters are supposed to get the flywheel moving, then back out of position – disengage.)
Why does my solenoid wear out?
Like any switch that relies on wiring, the solenoid could also just wear out due to overheating. This might cause it to fail to retrieve the pinion gear.
What does a solenoid do when you turn the ignition?
Step by step, it looks like this: When you turn the ignition key, a small amount of electricity goes to the solenoid. The solenoid uses that small amount of juice to close two heavy-duty contacts that allows a large jolt of electricity to pass through the starter. The solenoid also sends a pinion gear forward, which is the device ...
Why do starter contacts wear out?
Secondly, the contacts could begin to wear out from overheating or exposure to high levels of current. This needs to be fixed right away if possible, because this causes continuous use of the starter. If not caught in time, the solenoid and the starter will both need replacement.
What is the reading for a solenoid?
If you get a clicking sound, look for a reading of less than 0.4 ohms. If the reading is higher, the solenoid is not working and needs to be replaced.
What happens if you charge your golf cart?
You would have charged up your cart fully but after driving it around for an hour or two, the power would have got drained off completely. If this is a frequent occurrence with your cart, then you will need to take a look at the batteries.
Why does my golf cart keep powering off?
If the cart starts powering off after a new installation, then you will know that the issue is caused due to errors with the installation.
What does the first beep sound on a cart mean?
The manual will have the list of beeps and their respective fault codes. The first beep sound will indicate the performance factor.
How to check battery water level in golf cart?
How to Check Battery Water Levels in a Golf Cart. Check if the voltages in both the batteries are at the designated levels. Also, if the water in the batteries has dried up, it could cause this issue. Check for the electrolyte and water levels in the batteries. Make sure that you are not overcharging or undercharging your batteries as these could ...
Why does my cart have a loose solenoid?
If the connections from the solenoid have become loose or if there is some other loose contact, the cart might behave in this manner. It can also be caused by a faulty motor or a faulty key switch.
What causes a cart engine to die?
If your cart engine dies suddenly, it may be the carburetor causing the issue. Read the following steps to fix it:
Why does my golf cart cut out?
Another reason why golf carts can cut out is due to problems with the battery voltage or water levels.