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
Why won't my golf cart move in both directions?
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 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 golf cart cut out at high speeds?
Some people have experienced these issues where the golf cart works properly at normal speeds, but cuts out when driven at high speeds. If your golf cart cuts out at high speeds, then you might have to take a look at the internal mechanism to figure out what the issue is.
Why is my electric golf cart stalling?
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. If it is the controller, then you will need a replacement. Otherwise, upgrading the resistor can also solve the problem.
How do I know if my golf cart controller is bad?
X Common Symptoms of Controller FailureTop Speeds Not Appropriate for Your Cart. Golf carts are designed to reach pretty specific speeds and to not go over them or beneath them. ... Sudden and Unexpected Slowing. ... Shuttering or Shaky Driving. ... Stalling Out and Refusing to Start. ... Surges in Speed When Driving.
How do I know if my electric golf cart solenoid is bad?
Press on the accelerator while the key is turned on and the cart is in forward.The solenoid needs to be replaced IF the voltmeter shows a full battery voltage without a click.If your voltmeter stays at 0, the problem stems from somewhere else in your cart.
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 I know if my motor controller is bad?
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. If the motor is not turning, the problem may be in the directional switch or motor. If there is no voltage, the controller is bad and must be replaced.
What are symptoms of bad solenoid?
As a result, the common signs of a bad starter solenoid include:Engine Doesn't Crank or Start. ... No Clicking Noise When Trying to Start the Engine. ... Starter Spins Without Fully Engaging the Flywheel (Rare) ... Engine Cranks Slowly (Rare) ... Test the battery. ... Check That Power is Getting to the Starter Solenoid.More items...•
How do you reset an electric golf cart?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Can you fix a golf cart on your own?
Under NO circumstances should you attempt to fix your golf cart on your own. Doing so is dangerous and could result in serious bodily harm. The information on this website has not been verified for accuracy and should only be used for general information purposes only. Use this information at your own risk.
Is my speed sensor broken?
There is a magnet associated with the speed sensor. Sometimes your speed magnet may be broken but will still be clinging on; only being held by the screw. Unfortunately, you may not realize it is broken until you take the mechanism apart. The speed sensor may not even show any issues. Check if the magnet is broken and if it is, ...
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.
How does a solenoid work?
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.
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.
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
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 ...
Why is my golf cart not charging?
Golf Cart Batteries. When it comes to challenges with your cart’s speed, they are more often than not caused by an unruly battery. Corrosion, age, or a lack of routine maintenance can all lead to inefficient battery performance. As your batteries age, they are no longer able to hold a charge like they previously did.
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.
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.
Can mud affect a cart's speed?
That impacts the ability of your cart to navigate slopes and may even struggle on flat terrain. The performance of your cart’s sensor can become impaired from mud build-up, which cover s the sensors and blocks their ability to determine speed. Cleaning the mud off the sensors should see it back up and running.
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.
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 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 ...
How does a potentiometer work?
The potentiometer works as a communicator and tells the speed controller how much voltage it has to consume. The more voltage means the more speed and vice versa (Check out our resource on golf cart speed ).
What is a speed controller?
Speed Controller. The speed controller manages the speed of the golf cart. There are some situations when the speed controller fails, but the cart will still start and move ahead. But, as it runs for a while, it will start malfunctioning.
Club Car Precedent 48v Intermittent Problem Question
I have a 2012 Club Car Precedent 48v electric cart that will suddenly stop working. It has brand new batteries, and seems fine, but randomly will not move when pushing the pedal. It will lurch forward then stop again, or it may work normal after changing the f/r switch, key switch, or even the run/tow switch.
Answer
It sounds like you are dealing with what we classify an intermittent problem. So, first things first, we need to reproduce the problem. Most likely, you are dealing with a connectivity issue. Essentially, what you are describing is a power outage to the system. The clicking noise you are hearing is the solenoid disengaging due to lack of power.
