What can go wrong with an electric golf cart?
There are quite a few common things that can go wrong with an electric golf cart. These common issues include rapidly depleted batteries, worn machinery behind ignition, damaged ignition switch, blocked motor just to name a few. Read on to find out the twenty most common things that can go wrong with your electric golf cart.
Why won’t my golf cart accelerate?
The main reason why a golf cart won’t accelerate is because of bad solenoid, weak battery or faulty speed controller.
How many volts does an electric golf cart use?
The motor of an electric golf cart is powered by 4 to 6 batteries with a total power of 36 or 48 volts. The batteries are rechargeable; you have to plug the cart into a wall outlet at home or your garage.
Can electric golf carts go on inclines?
A golf cart is designed to carry two golfers and their equipment around the course with less effort than walking. When you’re electric golf cart struggles on inclines for a variety of reasons, including weak batteries, incorrect tires, or worn-out motor or wiring, you could be in for a long day.
What would cause an electric golf cart not to move?
Solenoid Wear 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. Each time the solenoid activates as you press down on the gas pedal, the solenoid compounds down onto a thin metal contact plate.
How do you fix a golf cart that won't move?
When the cart won't move, you have to be sure that the batteries are sending sufficient power to the circuit. You must check the fuse. Use the voltmeter to check the voltage at the key switch. In a cart with batteries rated at 48V, it must show 48V at the key switch.
Why won't my golf cart go forward or backwards?
The problem could be with either the Run/Tow switch or Forward/Reverse switch or both. Check the switches to ensure that they aren't stuck midway. If they are, getting them released should help. However, if they show signs of wear and tear, you must get them replaced.
Why does my golf cart click but not move?
A Club Car golf cart can start clicking but not move, due to dust accumulating inside the battery ports. Opening the battery ports and checking whether there is any dust accumulation can tell you if this is the case. Cleaning it thoroughly with a cloth can resolve the problem.
How do I reset my electric golf cart 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!
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.
How do you test a golf cart controller?
How to Test a Club Car Golf Cart Speed Controller? The simplest test to ascertain your golf cart controller's performance is to to watch whether it runs when the batteries are fully charged with a slight push of the pedal. If you hear a distinct clicking noise, then your golf cart is running correctly.
Why does my electric golf cart only go in reverse?
One possible cause of a cart not moving forward or in reverse is because of the way the wires are hooked in reverse. To fix this, you should switch the position of both the wires that are leading to the motor. If the golf cart is not rolling across freely, there might be an issue with the brakes.
Where is the reset button on a Club Car golf cart?
Identify your main battery supply (usually the largest battery) on your motor. Check around this supply for a small red button that may or may not be labeled “Reset”. Press and hold this button for a few moments and then release it to reset the motor.
How do I know if my ezgo golf cart solenoid is bad?
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.
Why is my electric golf cart making a clicking noise?
Golf Cart Making Clicking Noise Typically, a clicking noise on a golf cart suggests that wheels drums may be touching the sides of the vehicle. You may also hear a click sound if your car has lost any bolts that are wiggling in place as you ride your cart.
How do you test a solenoid on a electric golf cart?
Set your voltmeter to the ohms reading, and connect its probe to each one of the big terminals. Of course, the reading should be zero. Next, move the cart's switch to forward, turn it on, and accelerate slowly. Your solenoid should click.
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 happens if your golf cart doesn't 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.
Why is my golf cart not accelerating?
When your electric golf cart does not accelerate, the first thing you need to keep in mind is that it is not a regular vehicle like your car . That's why the methods and solutions you use to get your car to start are not the same as the solutions you can apply to your cart.
Why is my golf cart speed controller not working?
There are many reasons behind a speed controller malfunction. The most common problem that happens in the controller has aged due to infrequent use. These are just some of the issues that could be affecting your vehicle's acceleration. If you have trouble finding the issue of your golf cart accelerator, don't be afraid to take it to the mechanic.
How does a golf cart solenoid work?
The golf cart speed controller and solenoid are both controlled by the accelerator. The pedal is connected to the potentiometer. That means when you are pressing the pedal for acceleration, you are actually going through the potentiometer by pushing a rod. The potentiometer works as a communicator and tells the speed controller how much voltage it ...
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 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. ...
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.
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 are the problems with electric golf carts?
Electric golf carts have two areas where problems usually occur, the batteries and the motor. Before you spend a lot of time and money waiting on a repairman or taking your electric golf cart to the shop, take a few seconds to troubleshoot the cart on your own.
How to charge a golf cart?
Step 1. Test the wall socket where you charge your cart. Every golf cart has a built-in charger that connects to a wall socket. Take your wall socket 120-volt tester and check the actual socket that you use to charge the cart itself. Plug in your 120-volt tester and make sure the actual wall socket is good. If there is no voltage reading, your ...
What to do if your socket is not reading voltage?
If there is no voltage reading, your socket is bad and either needs to be replaced or the circuit breaker needs to be reset. You can reset the circuit breaker by flipping all the switches in your breaker box. An electrician should replace the socket.
Where is the electric motor on a golf cart?
Located under a panel at the back of your golf cart will be the electric motor. The panel will be held in place by four or six screws. Use your screwdriver to remove these, turning them counterclockwise.
Where are the batteries in a car charger?
If you are getting power to the charger, it's time to check the batteries. Most batteries are located under the seat, which flips up for access. Grab a hold of the back of your seat and flip it up to expose the batteries. There will be a row of batteries. Each one of these need to be checked.
How to test a 12 volt battery?
So, with your flat-bladed screwdriver, insert it into the screw slot on a clamp and turn it counterclockwise. Do this to both clamps. Using your 12-volt battery tester, test the voltage of this battery by touching each side of it to one ...
What happens when a golf cart is not working?
When the speed controller malfunctions or does not work properly, the cart will move but with several breaks in between. The golf cart will not be able to move at a steady or constant speed and that is one of the first warning signs ...
Why won't my golf cart work?
The golf cart will not function if the transfer of electric current is disrupted. Current gets disrupted when the solenoid gets worn out or damaged. When you press the pedal, the solenoid gets activated and compounded into a metallic contact plate.
Why is my golf cart not moving?
The golf cart will not be able to move at a steady or constant speed and that is one of the first warning signs of a problem with the speed controller of the vehicle. Here are a few things you can do to fix the issues associated with your speed controller.
How does a speed controller work on a golf cart?
Once you do this, the brake should release and the cart will start accelerating once again. The speed controller works towards regulating the speed of the golf cart. There are instances when the speed controller fails but the vehicle will still start and move ahead.
Why is my golf cart solenoid not working?
If you encounter a problem with the solenoid of your golf cart, then you must know that it could be because of a faulty speed controller. To check the condition of your vehicle’s solenoid, you will be required to take a reading of the voltage and check if it is the same as the reading from the battery.
What is the function of a golf cart solenoid?
Its main function is to enable the flow of electricity from the battery into the motor. When you press the gas pedal and hear a sound that resembles a tap, you must know that the solenoid has been activated. The golf cart will not function if the transfer of electric current is disrupted.
How to fix a golf cart that won't accelerate?
The best way to fix a golf that won’t accelerate is to readjust the battery cable, check all connections and replace the solenoid. When your golf cart does not accelerate, the one thing you need to keep in mind is that while it is an automobile, it is not a regular vehicle like your car.
Why is my golf cart not full?
The fuel filter of the golf cart may not stay full because of a fault vacuum tube. Please keep in mind that the overall operations of the golf cart do not get affected if the fuel tank stays half full. The fuel filter on both new and older EZGO carts may not stay full due to the vacuum tube which connects the crankcase and the fuel pump, ...
Why is my golf cart starving for fuel?
A golf cart can be starving for fuel because of old gas in the engine, or because the flow of gas to the fuel tank is blocked. If the engine was running smooth until a few days ago, then it can be presumed that there is no glitch with the engine. Some of the possible causes are stated below:
Why does my EZGO stop?
If you have a EZGO and it has come to an abrupt stop, then it may be because of the golf cart not getting adequate fuel supplied to its tank. Check if all fuel pipe hoses are properly connected and there is no crack or hole in it. The brass vent needs to be absolutely clean.
What is the G16 golf cart?
The G16 model of Yamaha golf carts suffers from the glitch of not receiving the required levels of gas, which ends up hampering the overall performance of the golf cart.
Why does my golf cart have a dirt filter?
Some of the possible causes are stated below: There could be dirt filled in the carburetor, potentially stopping the gas flow from the tank to the engine. If the air filter can be opened from the golf cart and around 2 ounces of fresh gas get drilled in to the pump, then the issue may get sorted.
Why is my carb pump not getting sorted?
If the problem still does not get sorted, then chances are that the pump is faulty and the vacuum line has got clogged.
Why is my Yamaha G9 getting out of breath?
The Yamaha G9 has been recorded to be getting out of breath due to lack of enough fuel levels in the tank. Some of the reasons for the glitch along with possible solutions are stated as below: It may be that the air box is not sealed properly due to which air would enter inside the tank.