How to troubleshoot an electric golf cart?
Troubleshooting Your Electric Golf Cart Motor
- Check Batteries. Test each battery with a voltmeter to see if it is depleted. ...
- Listen for Solenoid. The solenoid should make a clicking sound when you turn the key to start the golf cart. ...
- Inspect Charger. Test the outlet the charger is plugged into and examine the charger connections. ...
- Inspect Potentiometer. ...
- Reset Motor. ...
What can go wrong in an electric golf cart?
Why your EZGO golf cart stops suddenly?
- Diagnostic mode: Try out the Diagnostic mode in the golf cart. ...
- Voltage readings: Check out the voltages that are being recorded by the batteries. ...
- Low voltage: The low voltage levels may also cause excess amperage which may end up in the controls to return to thermal cut.
How to fix an electric golf cart?
The following steps should allow you to determine the problem:
- Evaluate the circuit connection. ...
- Check the connections from wire to wire. ...
- Using a multimeter check the amount of power running to the lighting fuse. ...
- If the fuse is not the problem, you will need to now check your vehicle’s lighting switch. ...
- Replace the switch.
How to solve electric golf cart problems?
What can go wrong with electric golf carts?
- Troubleshooting Batteries. Like any electric vehicle, the battery is often the root of the problem.
- Ignition or Motor Issues.
- Solenoid Woes.
- Faulty Direction Switch.
- No Speed Control.

How do you know when a golf cart charger is bad?
Bad Charger: IN GENERAL, if the charger kicks on, but doesn't charge fully or kicks off soon after, this is likely a charger issue. If the charger makes a loud clicking noise, this is likely a battery charger issue.
How do I know if my battery charger is working?
Running a test on your battery charger is an easy process.Plug in your charger to an electrical outlet. ... Turn on your voltmeter unit. ... Take a battery or battery pack that's compatible to your battery charger. ... Check the readout on the voltmeter and see where the pointer is indicating to.More items...
How do I test my EZ Go charger?
Use your voltmeter to test the positive end of the charger handle. Press the other end to the negative line coming in (near the fuse). This is just one last check to be sure, since often the handle of the E-Z-Go Powerwise Charger is where people tend to have issues.
How do you test a power drive battery charger?
1:5218:30Testing Powerdrive Charger Parts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou take your test leads. It doesn't matter which one you start with but in this case I'm going toMoreYou take your test leads. It doesn't matter which one you start with but in this case I'm going to start with a positive. And I'm putting it on the metal bracket this copper bracket.
Why is my battery charger not charging my battery?
One of the most common reasons the battery light comes on and the car battery stops charging is because of corrosion. Whether the corrosion is on the battery cables or cable terminals, it is still a problem that needs to be addressed. Another common culprit for the battery not charging is a problem with the alternator.
How do you reset a battery charger?
1:016:46Battery Reset || Plugged in not charging - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we need to do first power off your laptop. Unplug the charging cable close it flip it over.MoreSo what we need to do first power off your laptop. Unplug the charging cable close it flip it over. Now you have to take the battery out so release the catch. Put your battery. So ease your battery.
How do you trick a golf cart charger to charge a dead battery?
1:233:46Reviving Dead 6v & 8v Golf Cart Batteries FAQ - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I'm going to do is I'm going to hook my positive to the battery one positive. And since thisMoreSo what I'm going to do is I'm going to hook my positive to the battery one positive. And since this is this negative we make this battery six volt I jump to the corresponding.
Why is my EZGO charger not working?
Some reasons why an EZGO RXV golf cart will not charge could be because of a dirty charging port, loose or broken wire, a blown-out fuse or a problem with the auxiliary contact. Clean the charging port so that it's free of dust and dirt accumulation. Sometimes, dust and dirt can prevent proper charging.
What would cause a golf cart not to charge?
Check the water level in your batteries, using distilled water to refill only. Do not overfill – make sure the water level is 1″ below the top. Check for corrosion or any loose cables on the batteries. Check the condition of your charger's cables (AC and DC cables).
What should my golf cart charger read when fully charged?
If the batteries are full, the ammeter reading will quickly drop below 15 amps. As the batteries charge the ammeter read out will eventually drop to about 2 or 3 amps. This indicates a near full charge in the batteries.
Should I leave my golf cart plugged in all the time?
Manufacturers suggest leaving your golf cart plugged in all of the time while using an auto battery charger, as it will keep the batteries fully charged and always available. If batteries are not charged for prolonged storage, they may damage over time and deliver less capacity.
Can I charge my golf cart with a regular battery charger?
Golf carts usually come with their own charger, however a car charger can also be used to charge a golf cart. The trick is matching the voltage of the charger to the voltage of the batteries.
What does a red light on a battery charger mean?
Both the 3 amp on-board and 3 amp off-board chargers flash a steady red light if there is an abnormality with the charging system. Generally, this occurs when the charger does not receive a signal from the batteries, in other words there is a break in the connection between the charger and batteries.
Why is the light on my battery charger blinking?
The CHARGE light may flash for the following reasons: The environmental temperature is too cold to charge the battery pack. The battery pack has not been used for a long time. There is a poor connection between the battery and charger.
Find A New Golf Cart Battery Charger Or Batteries
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Troubleshoot An Old Golf Cart Battery Charger & Batteries
1. Why is my golf cart battery charger not working? 2. I manually charged my batteries, that did not work, now what? 3. Do I have a battery or a ch...
Golf Cart Charger Questions
1. How do I choose a replacement charger for my Powerdrive, Powerwise, etc.? 2. What's the difference between the Links & Summit charger? 3. How lo...
Golf Cart Battery Questions
1. Do I have 6v, 8v or 12v golf cart batteries? 2. Do I have a 36 volt or 48 volt golf cart? 3. How long do golf cart batteries last? 4. How can I...
How many volts does a golf cart charger need?
Apart from that, users need a platform where that charger performance is going to be tested. In other words, the user required batteries for the golf cart. A voltmeter tester is necessary to check the output of the charger. Minimum output is required around 20 to 35 volts.
Where is the charger fuse on a golf cart?
The charger fuses can be found in the golf cart’s service panel on the back fender. The battery will not be charged if the battery charger fuse is blown.
Why Should You Test Your Charger?
If any person has a golf cart, you must be required to upgrade your golf cart in various ways. However, users need to test golf carts in different ways. Such as checking out the output from the charger. There are various types of reasons available.
How to check battery charge?
Check the battery charge to see if any power is reaching the battery. Connecting a voltmeter to the charger’s negative and positive clamps will allow you to determine how much power the battery charger is producing. After connecting the voltmeter to the battery correctly, the user needs to turn on the power supply. After that, the user needs to take a proper reading at that time in the middle of the voltmeter shift from left to right. If the voltmeter reading is near about 36 amps, then it is typical for a battery charger.
What to do if battery charger does not turn on?
Set the ignition to the auxiliary position. If the charger does not turn on, there is an issue with the charger-to-battery connection.
Where is J's Golf Cart located?
We are located in Holly Springs, NC. If you would like to have your golf cart serviced routinely to keep it in top condition, for as long as possible, we can help with that too. We offer a maintenance service that will ensure that your golf cart lasts for many years. Contact us today for more info!
Can you change the charger on a golf cart?
After all, these kinds of issues occur when the user needs to change the charger; otherwise, it may affect the golf cart batteries. After that, it may cause huge money loss. So, before a significant problem occurs, you must change your golf cart battery charger.
What should my golf cart charger read when fully charged?
Your golf cart’s battery charger should read about 12.72 volts when fully charged. A good sign of battery functionality is how much voltage it has.
How will you test a Golf cart battery charger: step by step guide?
Usually, the charger doesn’t take up the charge if the product is not original. But, the automated chargers require minimum voltage.If you are using a charger, it will have some indicator that indicates when the battery has been charged up or discharged. Read this and understand what needs to be done so that your golf cart can have an efficient charging process.
Why are the Golf cart battery chargers essential?
It is also needed for the Golf Cart Battery Reconditioning. They not only make sure that your batteries are always charged and ready to go, but they also protect the life of your batteries by automatically shutting off when it is time for them to cool down and rest.
How to fix club car charging problems?
This is a problem which you need to fix. First, check the voltage output. If you find it is weak, follow the below steps:
What are the varieties of Golf cart batteries?
Lead-acid batteries are by far the cheapest option on this list, but it doesn’t last nearly as long as most other options.
How long do golf cart batteries last?
Instead, they are typically only used when necessary, and the average lifespan for an AGM battery is between two to five years depending upon how often they’re being charged, but that can vary from model to model.
What are the symptoms of a bad solenoid on a golf cart?
Following are the issues you will get in your golf cart with the bad solenoid.
How to check if a golf cart battery is fully charged?
With a basic digital volt meter we check system voltage first. Whatever the operating voltage is of your golf cart you should check current voltage levels to know if the cart is in fact fully charged , partially charged or completed dead. You will usually find the batteries to your golf cart under the front seat which opens or folds out towards the golf cart steering wheel on most Club Cars, Ezgo and Yamaha golf carts.
What happens if my golf cart is not charging?
If you do not have any voltage in the batteries you will need to get some back into the battery bank before the golf cart charger will charge again .
How to wire golf cart batteries?
No mater how many golf cart batteries you have it will always work the same. To wire multiple batteries in a series you would just connect each batteries positive terminal to the next batteries negative terminal. Then continue this process for however many batteries to intend to connect together. After you have done so you will always have two terminals left over. One will be positive and one will be negative. Those terminals will reflect the new operating voltage of said battery bank. For example as shown in image above – most golf carts these days operate on 36 volt or 48 volts. Which can be achieved in a few ways depending on the batteries used. Whether 6 volt, 8 volt or 12 volt batteries. All of which will have different capacity and or range limitations. Simply put the more batteries you have the larger your so called gas tank will be – or the longer run time and range possible.
How many volts does a 36 volt golf cart have?
So now that we know where to check voltage and test. What is the answer? Jot down or remember whatever number you get. 36 volt golf carts when fully charge will reflect 37-38 volts… and 48 volt systems will reflect roughly 49-51 volts. All batteries hold slightly more voltage than advertised on case when fully charged so when combined the numbers are always slightly higher. So no need to be alarmed.
What voltage do golf cart batteries work on?
All golf cart battery chargers usually operate on 110VAC but some have the ability to operate on multiple voltages for other power grids like in Europe vs US. 110/230VAC would reflect this feature on charger. Good DC side connection. This is the wire or cord with a connector that you would plug into the golf cart.
What is the third pin on a golf cart?
Then the third pin is usually a low voltage signal for a lock-out feature on these newer style golf carts. This is so the user cannot drive off with a golf cart “If the charger is still plugged in”.
What does the green circle on a golf cart mean?
Note – The green circles in image above indicate positive and negative most battery terminals to check voltage on your golf cart. These images cover all the basic golf cart battery configurations. If not hopefully you will now better understand how to determine which terminals to test in your application.
How to troubleshoot a golf cart battery charger?
If your batteries get too low, you could be stranded. To avoid this, you have to ensure that your battery charger is working correctly. If your battery charger ever fails, ...
Why is my golf cart not charging?
If your batteries are carrying a minimal load, and your charger will still not charge them, it may be because your golf cart’s onboard computer is confused about how much charge they are currently carrying.
Why does my charger fail?
If your batteries aren’t hooked up correctly, or the connections between them are weak or frayed, this can quickly lead to a loss of power and cause your charger to fail. Make sure you check each battery terminal for corrosion; any buildup will impede the flow of electricity, and could likewise cause problems.
What to do if battery charger fails?
You can’t address every problem with a simple DIY repair, but a sound diagnosis can save hours of frustration. In many cases, the solution is simple, and you’ll be able to handle it with minimal expense.
Why won't my battery turn on?
Make Sure the Batteries have Some Charge. In the scenario that it doesn’t turn on, it might mean you waited too long to recharge them, and now the charge that they currently carry is too low for the charger to detect them. When your charger can’t tell that your batteries are hooked up, it often won’t even turn on.
Do golf carts need batteries?
If you find that your golf cart won’t go very far on a full charge, then you probably need new batteries. Test them to make sure that the power on them is low; if indeed it is, then you need new batteries.
Can a club car monitor battery charge?
Only the club car can monitor the charge of your batteries, but it bears mention because these computers can fail, thus requiring a replacement. If the Club Car’s computer is working correctly, the relay should make a “click” sound when you plug in your charger. If it does not, then you could easily have a blown fuse.
How to test golf cart battery charger?
How to test a golf cart battery charger? Assure that the golf cart battery charger is actually running and that you have volta ge at the battery charger plug by using a multimeter or voltage tester. Let’s go over some of the simple basics and get that battery charger operating the way it should. Step 1.
What is a golf cart?
Golf carts are also known as golf cars. The term "cart", in its purest sense, refers to a vehicle that does not travel under its own power. Golf cars, however, are most commonly referred to as golf... Continue Reading.
How to connect continuity tester to power cord?
Unplug the charger and connect continuity tester leads to both blades of the power cord (8 and 9) and then twist the timer know to “on”. There should be continuity at this point.
How to check battery voltage?
Take your voltage tester and measure the output voltage of all the batteries together. See if they measure the voltage required to actuate your charger (If you have the manual for your battery charger, the minimum voltage should be listed there.) if the batteries do not equal the minimum voltage and above, then you’ve found the problem. What do you do at this point?
How many volts does a battery charger need?
Did you know that most modern battery chargers will not even begin to charge batteries if the batteries original charge is not high enough? The automatic battery charger needs a minimal amount of voltage in the batteries to even begin working, say somewhere around 20 to 35 volts total.
How long does it take for a battery charger to turn on?
With an automatic battery charger, the batteries must be hooked up before the charger will even turn on. allow 3 to 4 seconds for the time delay And if there is no click and a transformer hum, then we need to make sure that there is a proper connection between the battery charger and the batteries.
What to do if your car battery is too low?
If the batteries are too low, charge them individually with a regular old car battery charger, usually the12-volt variety. 12-Volt Automotive Battery Charger. You can either charge them to full capacity or just high enough to meet the minimum voltage required.
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
