Properly maintained, a standard gas or electric golf cart motor can endure for many years (20 to 30 years or more). However, the reality of the problem is that many individuals do not properly maintain their golf cart motor. How do I know if my golf cart controller is bad?
Full Answer
What happens when a golf cart speed controller goes bad?
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. When this unit has failed, the golf cart will start up and possibly take off, without hesitation.
Should I turn my golf cart off when I stop using it?
Any lights, radio, or electric components in your cart should always be turned off when you stop using it. Leaving the radio or lights running on an idle golf cart can run down the battery incredibly quickly. In the case of a gasoline-powered golf cart, you may end up having to jump-start the cart to get it working again if this happens.
How often should I clean my golf cart battery?
Letting golf cart batteries run down until near-empty or totally dead will damage them over time just as much as overcharging them. Take ten or fifteen minutes once a month to wipe down your batteries, check the water levels, and keep an eye out for corrosion.
Can I upgrade my golf cart controller?
When upgrading your controller for your golf cart, we suggest working with manufacturers that have spent the time building controllers for your specific brand. This makes it much easier on you as well.
How do you know if your golf cart controller is bad?
When your golf cart's speed controller isn't operating correctly, your cart will show it by running erratically or failing to drive at one constant speed. If your cart starts showing these symptoms, the first thing you should look at is your speed controller.
How do you check an electric golf cart controller?
Check Power Output From the Controller Connect the negative probe to the controller's M terminal and positive probe to the B+ terminal. Press the accelerator and watch to see if the voltage increases. It should increase from a reading of 0 to the full voltage of the battery.
Can 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.
Can you repair a golf cart controller?
If you have opened the case of your controller, if it is severely melted, severely corroded, or if has been underwater, it is often not repairable. However, sometimes even controllers which look good from the outside may not be rebuildable.
How do you troubleshoot a club car controller?
Here are a few quick troubleshooting tips.Make sure it isn't your batteries! ... If your batteries are fully charged and your vehicle won't run, when you press on the accelerator pedal, then you should hear a clicking sound which will indicate the solenoid is engaging and allowing power to flow to your controller.More items...
How do you bypass a golf cart controller?
1:594:09electric golf cart, simple Motor and controller bypass key hotwire direct ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let's just go ahead and bypass the solenoid by putting one alligator clip on that bolt.MoreSo let's just go ahead and bypass the solenoid by putting one alligator clip on that bolt.
How do I reset my club car controller?
Easily Reset the Club Car Golf Cart OBCKey switch to off.Set forward/reverse to neutral.Put tow/run switch to tow.Disconnect the negative battery terminal from the battery pack.Put the tow/run switch to run.Put forward/reverse switch to reverse.Put key switch to on.More items...
How do I troubleshoot my EZGO controller?
How Do You Repair The EZGO Controller?First, disconnect the battery and remove the cover that keeps the controller safe.Check the wires and cables that go to the controller.If the wires look like they have corroded, scrub them. ... Check the solenoid and if the solenoid is not working, replace it too.More items...
How can I test my speed controller?
0:395:30Testing controller for blown mosfetts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe start by connecting one of the probe to the ground wire of the controller. And you take theMoreWe start by connecting one of the probe to the ground wire of the controller. And you take the positive probe.
How do you replace a golf cart controller?
1:426:52Torque Controller for Club Car Precedent 2008.5 and NewerYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou may need to remove the middle two batteries to make it a little easier to get the controller boxMoreYou may need to remove the middle two batteries to make it a little easier to get the controller box out of the cart.
Can an Alltrax controller be rebuilt?
Alltrax stepped up and designed a NEW product with a NEW warranty, the NPX Non-Programmable controllers. A cost effective solution to replace your aging or damaged stock controller without buying a “rebuilt controller”....SPECIFICATIONS.Model48344844Voltage Drop(*) @100Amp<0.30V<0.13V5 more rows
Where is the speed controller 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.
How fast does a golf cart go?
The speed controller, also known as the “governor,” generally keeps a golf cart from exceeding 10 miles per hour.
Where is the controller on a golf cart?
This controller is typically located under the seat on your golf cart. Determining if the controller is bad is a relatively simple procedure. Lift the golf cart's bench seat to gain access to the engine. Locate the governor on the engine. This is the small “T”-shaped metallic rod around the top of the golf cart’s motor.
How to find the governor on a golf cart?
Locate the governor on the engine. This is the small “T”-shaped metallic rod around the top of the golf cart’s motor. Look for the carburetor in the engine. The carburetor is the cylindrical shaped object in the engine that has valves pointing up and out of the motor. Pull on the governor closer to the carburetor.
What happens if the governor is not moving?
Pull on the governor closer to the carburetor. If the governor is moving with no resistance, then it is bad and needs to be replaced. If the governor cannot be moved, it is also bad and needs to be replaced. Charles Poole holds a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from Appalachian State University.
Why is a golf cart controller important?
From being able to change your golf cart's speed to manage all the electrical components perfectly, the controller is an important element of your cart. You could say the controller is the heart of your cart. A properly selected and maintained controller will allow the vehicle to operate smoothly and safely. Learn more about your Club Car speed ...
What to do if your golf cart doesn't start?
If the cart doesn't start, check the solenoid. If the solenoid is working fine and allowing power to flow, then you can begin inspecting the controller. Learn more about symptoms of a bad golf cart solenoid. If all the components are working well, the next step is to check the speed controller.
Why won't my golf cart run?
If your controller is damaged, your cart won't run. However, a few other reasons could lead your vehicle to stop running. Since the speed controller is the heart of your electric golf cart, you need to make sure that the problem is not something else first. Following is a list of things to check before you troubleshoot the speed controller.
How to start a golf cart when it's dead?
Start with batteries and make sure they are working properly. If your batteries are dead, your golf cart will not start. Charge your batteries completely, and then try to drive the cart.
What is the function of a speed controller on a golf cart?
Following are some of the primary functions of the speed controller: Limiting Motor Current – Protects the motor and controller from damage in case of stalling and overloading. Limiting Battery Current – Managing current drawn from the battery ...
What is a club car controller?
The Club Car controller is also known as a speed controller, and the best thing about the controller is that it works as a brain and speed control system for the golf cart.
What is a programmable controller?
Programmable Controller. The programmable controller can easily be configured for the needs of your cart. This controller's most significant and important advantage is that programmable controllers produce 60% less heat than other controllers.
Why is my cart controller hot?
Then the reason will simply be that the load on the engine and motor is also causing the controller to get hot. But if the cart controller gets hot even while on a short distance run or even if it is switched on, then it can be due to faulty wiring and connections.
What is the purpose of a golf cart controller?
Golf cart controllers play an important part in which its main job is to control the speed of a golf cart. However, many times, the controller tends to act up or simply stops working. This is when it is very important to troubleshoot the problem immediately. Known as the heart of the EZGO golf cart, the controller’s core objective is to control ...
What is the purpose of the speed controller on an EZGO cart?
Major functions of the speed controller of the EZGO cart are: Acceleration: The controller controls the speed of the vehicle. It also regulates the speed when you apply full throttle to the cart. Battery health maintenance : The controller makes sure that the battery is working well and is not overloaded.
What is the controller on an EZGO golf cart?
Known as the heart of the EZGO golf cart, the controller’s core objective is to control the speed of the golf cart. It is a needed component in a AC and brushless DC motor. Without the controller, the golf cart will not work. The speed controller is not present in the DC motor vehicles, which is why they do not have varying speeds.
How to check the output of a controller?
To check the controller output, follow these steps: Press the pedal of the cart until the solenoid clicks. Keep watching the voltmeter and see if it is showing the battery voltage. Now again, keep pressing the pedal and see if the voltage is going down or not.
What is the 2005 Ezgo cart?
2005 EZGO TXT cart is one of the popular ones since it has some of the best features. The features include handles on the top, the plastic front bumper is not there, and the seatback is connected.
Why does EZGO have different speeds?
However, a vehicle with a speed controller will have different speeds as it will change the voltage and current input based on user input. This is why EZGO with controllers can be accelerated and decelerated and the rate ...
How much horsepower does a golf cart need?
These vehicles will have motors with 5 to 10 horsepower, and controllers that can deliver 300 to 600 AMPS.
What is the most important part of a golf cart?
Even though the speed controller is probably one of the most important parts on your golf cart, not many people understand how they work or what they do. In this guide, we breakdown the speed controller so you have a complete understanding of their functions, and hopefully come out with the knowledge to make an educated decision on the type ...
What does a battery controller do?
With the controller you are able to control your acceleration and deceleration, as well as the speed at which your vehicle moves.
Why is a speed controller important?
The Importance of the Speed Controller. The main objective for the speed controller is, as the name implies, to control the vehicle speed. Let’s say you try to operate that old DC motor without a controller. Any time you apply throttle, the full battery current and voltage is sent to the motor.
What is the function of a speed controller?
In addition to controlling the vehicles speed, there are a few other functions that speed controllers can offer, regardless of the motor you are using. Battery Current Limiter: This protects the battery from excessive discharge. This also pulls back the battery current as it depletes, which prevents cell damage.
Can you program a speed controller yourself?
Beyond the already mentioned functions of the speed controller, there are many other features available when programming the controller yourself. If you have a computer or a handheld programmer, then changing the settings on your speed controller is super easy.
Do AC motors require a sensor?
Device Support on SPF ( Speed of Position Feedback): AC motors can require a sensor in order for the controller to operate smoothly and efficiently.
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.
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.
Can you turn off the radio on a golf cart?
Any lights, radio, or electric components in your cart should always be turned off when you stop using it. Leaving the radio or lights running on an idle golf cart can run down the battery incredibly quickly. In the case of a gasoline-powered golf cart, you may end up having to jump-start the cart to get it working again if this happens.
Can you use an automatic battery charger when it is fully charged?
It's important to make sure you're using an automatic battery charger that will stop being active as soon as the battery is fully charged. We've had clients come in with what they felt were "bad" batteries, only to have to explain to them that the battery had simply been damaged by being overcharged too many times.
Can you drive a golf cart up steep hills?
Forcing your golf cart up very steep hills or to go longer distances than it is made for will run the battery down and could leave you stranded. Just keep a careful eye on distance traveled and consider using a truck or trailer when transporting your golf cart longer distances.
Should golf cart batteries be charged?
Another common issue is golf cart owners who think that golf cart batteries should only be charged when they've become very low. If you drive your golf cart that day? Charge the battery. Letting golf cart batteries run down until near-empty or totally dead will damage them over time just as much as overcharging them.
