On an electric golf cart, the most common symptom is the solenoid is not delivering electricity to the controller when the vehicle’s ignition is turned on. In normal operating conditions, the solenoid clicks on and off with the ignition switch. A failing solenoid will generally not click.
Full Answer
How to tell if your electric golf cart motor is bad?
Here’s how to tell if your electric golf cart motor is bad or if the problem has another source. When your golf car doesn’t start, it’s tempting to jump straight to the perceived problem area: the motor. But the issue could be a simpler one concerning another part of the car.
How do I find the ignition coil on a golf cart?
It's a good idea to have your golf cart's owner's manual open to the section on troubleshooting electrical components for information specific to your particular golf cart. Raise the seat on your golf cart and locate the ignition coil according to your manufacturer's owner's manual.
How do I know if my ignition wire is bad?
With the key in the off position, check the wires. One of the wires should not have any voltage going through it while the other one should have a constant voltage. Turn the ignition key to ON position and now, the first wire should have some voltage passing through it as well.
Why won’t my golf cart fire up?
But more often than not, your cart suddenly refused to fire up and go due to a dead or bad battery. Before taking it to the dealer and getting hit with a large bill, there are a couple of simple checks you can perform in order to determine if a bad battery is indeed at fault.
How do you test a golf cart Ignitor?
Testing Your IgnitorPark your cart and put bricks behind the wheels to keep it from moving.Open up your cart engine and attempt to identify the ignitor using your cart engine schematic.Trace the ignitor back to the pulsar to see where they are connected together on your cart.More items...
What does an ignitor do on a golf cart?
The ignitor boosts the signal and sends it to the ignition coil. The coil then creates the large spark that goes to the spark plug and fires the gas mixture in the cylinder. Ignitors can be the cause of a weak spark or they may fail completely and then the coil cannot create any spark at all.
What would cause a gas golf cart not to fire?
First, try this: turn the key switch on, hit the accelerator, and check for a clicking noise. If you don't hear clicking, it's time to take a look at your cart's batteries. Make sure the battery is fully charged and the terminals are cleaned and secure. Next, see how the water level in the battery is holding up.
How do I test my EZ GO igniter?
Take the voltmeter's black and red probe and place it on the –ve and +ve terminal of the coil. Take the readings. It should be between 3.7-5.2 ohms. If outside the range, the coil should be replaced.
What does ezgo ignitor do?
EZGO Ignition Switch, Ignitor, Coil Parts Ignition coils transfer voltage from your battery into spark for your engine to fire. We carry ignition coils for EZGO TXT, RXV, Marathon, and ST350 Workhorse golf cart models.
How do you change the igniter on a Club Car golf cart?
1:472:55Club Car DS Ignitor | How to Install on 1992-1996 Gas Golf Cart - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere is our igniter go get a Philips head screwdriver. We'll get this thing changed. Out. I willMoreHere is our igniter go get a Philips head screwdriver. We'll get this thing changed. Out. I will plug it up and put it right back. Together.
What would cause a golf cart not to run?
As the main source of power to your electric golf cart, the batteries are commonly the cause for why your electric golf cart won't start. Acid-based batteries are typically used for electric golf carts and must be recharged in order to work properly.
How do you troubleshoot a gas golf cart?
InstructionsCheck the gas tank to make sure there is enough fuel for operation. ... Remove the oil dipstick and check that the oil level is at or just above the add or fill maker. ... Inspect the battery of the golf cart. ... Examine the wiring and switches. ... Remove the air filter from the engine to access the carburetor.
What starts a gas golf cart?
In a gasoline-powered golf cart, the engine starts when you step on the gas pedal, and it shuts off when you take your foot off the gas. That feature helps save gas, cuts down on emissions and helps keep the course quiet, too.
Where is the reset button on a ezgo golf cart motor?
Locate the motor Remove the panel so the electric motor is visible. Electric motors usually include reset buttons that can perform similar to circuit breakers. Look in the area where several electrical wires enter the motor and locate a small red button. This is the reset button.
How do you check for spark on a golf cart?
Ground the threaded portion of the spark plug that is connected to the engine. Crank the engine and check for spark. If there is no spark, unplug the white plug with blue and black wires that are at the bottom of the engine under the valve cover. Check for spark once again.
How do you hotwire a gas golf cart?
InstructionsEnsure that power to the cart is turned on.Locate the two wires connected to the cart's ignition. ... Cut the wires and strip the ends.Touch the ends of the wires together to force the engine to turn over without turning the ignition.Secure the wires together with electrical tape.
Why is my golf cart not clicking?
On an electric golf cart, the most common symptom is the solenoid is not delivering electricity to the controller when the vehicle’s ignition is turned on. In normal operating conditions, the solenoid clicks on and off with the ignition switch. A failing solenoid will generally not click. Two things could be going on here.
How to check if a golf cart solenoid is silent?
On an electric golf cart, if the solenoid is silent – no clicking – use the setting voltmeter to DC volts using the 200 range. First, turn on the ignition while looking for a reading on the smaller terminals. If nothing is appearing, then press on the accelerator. If the needle doesn’t move, then the problem is not with the solenoid.
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 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 golf carts have solenoid?
The solenoid is simply there to allow electricity to flow freely to the controller and motor which will result in a running golf cart. RELATED: 4 Signs you need to Replace your Golf Cart Batteries.
Why won't my solenoid click?
The solenoid might not be getting enough electricity to do its work – which could be caused by loose connections, a weak battery or the coil wearing out.
Why do you use electrical tape on a solenoid?
When you do this, use electrical tape to seal the cable ends, so they won’t form a circuit by accidentally touching each other or connecting through a metal conductor inadvertently. Doing this will ensure the vehicle will not run while testing the solenoid.
How To Tell If Your Electric Golf Cart Motor Is Bad
Even the most well-maintained golf car will have technical problems eventually. Still, it’s rather unfortunate if the problem is with your motor or engine. You have enough going on in your life without your golf car refusing to start when you turn the key in the ignition.
Test Your Batteries
When your golf car doesn’t start, it’s tempting to jump straight to the perceived problem area: the motor. But the issue could be a simpler one concerning another part of the car. Before checking its other parts, test the voltage of your batteries to make sure they’re working.
Check the Solenoid
If your batteries are charged and in working condition, but your car still won’t start, check its solenoid. A solenoid is an electromagnetic coil of wire that transmits energy from your car’s battery to its motor to help it start. Every time you start your golf car, you should hear the click of the solenoid.
Examine the Potentiometer
If your car still won’t start or you notice any issues with acceleration, it’s time to check the potentiometer. The potentiometer sends an electric signal from the accelerator pedal to the speed controller, allowing the car to accelerate properly.
Check the Motor Itself
If you’ve checked all the above parts and none of them are responsible for your trouble, inspect the motor of the golf car itself. Sometimes, the issue can be resolved by simply resetting the motor. To reset your golf car’s motor, open the hood to expose your motor and look for the red reset button.
What does it mean when a golf cart has a bad coil?
Testing the coils on a golf cart engine is an easy procedure and can indicate to you whether an electrical problem on your golf cart is being caused by a bad ignition coil or a problem deeper in the engine. Coils are not a part of the electrical system of electric golf carts, but rather are part of gasoline-powered carts ...
What is a golf cart coil?
It is black and cylindrical with a metal heat sink on each side and will have a single, thin wire coming out of one end and a thicker wire coming out of the other end.
Do all golf carts have the same coils?
Not all golf carts utilize the same type of coils. Read your owner's manual thoroughly and check with your golf cart manufacturer to make certain the coil is not reading in the correct range. Don Kress began writing professionally in 2006, specializing in automotive technology for various websites.
Do electric golf carts have coils?
Coils are not a part of the electrical system of electric golf carts, but rather are part of gasoline-powered carts and their ignition system for firing the spark plugs. It's a good idea to have your golf cart's owner's manual open to the section on troubleshooting electrical components for information specific to your particular golf cart.
Who is Don Kress?
Don Kress began writing professionally in 2006, specializing in automotive technology for various websites. An Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technician since 2003, he has worked as a painter and currently owns his own automotive service business in Georgia.
Strut is leaking oil or shows physical damage
Most of the time if a strut is going bad it is because a seal holding the fluid (usually oil) in the shock starts to get old and starts to let the oil escape. This can often be discovered by a simple inspection of the shock. If it appears to be oily, wet or caked with dust and dirt, it is likely that the shock is leaking and needs to be replaced.
Golf cart is experiencing excessive body roll
Excessive body rolling is another indication of a strut going bad. This test can be performed by driving the golf car then turning the steering wheel so that the golf cart is tracing out an “S” pattern.
Bonus tip
If none of these tests or inspections reveal that your shock is bad, you may want to inspect the shock bushings. These are the rubber or plastic bushings at the ends of the shocks and also found where the leaf springs are bolted to the spring plates or brackets.
How to check if golf cart is charging?
First, check to ensure that your golf cart was charged before you took it out. Plug it back into the charger and follow the instructions. Just in case the charger is the issue, check that the battery charger is turned on. There should be an indicator light to show that it is charging the batteries. In the morning, disconnect ...
How to tell if golf cart battery is bad?
1. Charging Issues. First, check to ensure that your golf cart was charged before you took it out.
What hole does a golf cart stop dead?
It’s a real hassle if your golf cart stops dead and you’re only at the 15 th hole of play. Not only is this an embarrassing event, but it’s a major pain to have to arrange for the cart to be towed back to the parking lot.
Why won't my cart fire up?
But more often than not, your cart suddenly refused to fire up and go due to a dead or bad battery.
Do golf cart batteries last forever?
Golf cart batteries won’t last forever. In fact, each year they age a little bit closer towards their final use. If your battery is close to its warranty end date you may want to consider simply making the upgrade now.
Can you top up golf cart batteries?
Only top up your golf cart batteries using distilled water. Also, it is common for golf carts to be powered by multiple batteries. If this is the case, you will notice how several individual batteries have been “daisy-chained” together to form one large battery. 4.
Can you top up a golf cart battery with distilled water?
You need to leave enough room for expansion, so the acid should only be filled to just above the lead cells inside. Only top up your golf cart batteries using distilled water. Also, it is common for golf carts to be powered by multiple batteries.