If there is voltage present and the pack reads the combined voltage necessary (36v or 48v) but no sound from the solenoid, it is time to really dig into the electrics. This could be a faulty solenoid or a problem with the pedal potentiometer and any of the wiring in between. Check out this guide to troubleshooting solenoids.
Full Answer
Why did my electric golf cart stop working?
Today we’re going to look into why your electric golf cart could just stop working unexpectedly and how you can avoid that hassle altogether. One of the big reasons your golf cart could quit on you is that your motor burnt out. Motor burnout happens when your engine gets too hot and overheats, frying the wiring and other components inside.
How many volts are in a golf cart battery?
Therefore, voltage in a battery pack within a golf cart will be comparable to the horsepower in a car. With this knowledge in place, we can determine a 72 volt system can be more powerful than a 48 volt system, and a 48 volt system can be more powerful than a 36 volt system.
How do electric golf carts work?
An electric golf cart is a golf cart propelled by an electric motor powered by several batteries. The purpose of the electric cart is to carry players’ golf clubs and other stuff, eliminating the need to walk around the golf course during the game.
Why is my golf cart battery draining so fast?
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. Also, you might notice that the batteries charge very quickly.
Where is the voltage regulator on a golf cart?
The voltage regulator of your golf cart is usually located under the cart seat along with the batteries. It's fitted in place using latches or bolts.
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 know if you have a bad solenoid on a golf cart?
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 does my electric golf cart surge?
A golf cart can be surging due to insufficient fuel levels, damaged motor brushes or a vacuum leak. The brushes in the motor are damaged or worn out. The MCOR is malfunctioning or a mismatch between the motor and controller results in torque bumps.
How do you reset a golf cart electric 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!
Will an electric golf cart run with a bad solenoid?
The ability of your golf cart to function properly depends largely on the solenoid. If the solenoid is broken and not working correctly, you may notice your golf cart won't start, picking up speed, or even working at all (issues with acceleration could also be caused by a bad speed controller).
What does the resistor do on a golf cart solenoid?
Prevents arcing across your solenoid terminals and keeps your electrical system safe.
How do you check if a solenoid is working?
Do your best to listen for a “click” noise. If the click is strong and loud, it most likely means the solenoid has enough power and is working properly. If the clicking you are hearing is quiet or repetitive, it may be that your solenoid is not strong enough or does not have enough power from the battery.
How do you test a golf cart motor?
4:0210:28Testing 36 volt golf cart motor with 12 volt battery - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to take the negative. And put it on the a1. Again i'm going to take the jumper cableMoreYou're going to take the negative. And put it on the a1. Again i'm going to take the jumper cable from a2 to s1 you're going to take the positive cable from the jumper.
Where is the speed sensor 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.
Why does my electric golf cart jerk when accelerating?
Why does my Club car golf cart jerk when accelerating? The main reason why a Club car golf cart jerks when you accelerate it is due to a misaligned Inductive Throttle Sensor or dirty clutch.
What does the MCOR do on a golf cart?
The club car MCOR or the motor controller output regulator works like a dimmer in the headlight. It determines how much power is needed to get the desired speed by modulating the voltage. The variation in the electric output is done by the MCOR to get the desired speed.
How do you test an electric golf cart motor?
3:5410:28Testing 36 volt golf cart motor with 12 volt battery - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just want to connect the two together with this again a2 to s1 with this jumper cable. And youMoreYou just want to connect the two together with this again a2 to s1 with this jumper cable. And you want to take the battery box or positive cable and put it on the s2.
How do you test a Club Car electric motor?
13:2337:53Club Car 48 Volt Powerdrive Testing 1995-2013 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition place the red positive probe on the speed controller M minus terminal place the blackMorePosition place the red positive probe on the speed controller M minus terminal place the black negative probe on the s2 motor terminal your vom should display continuity.
How long do electric golf cart motors last?
Golf Cart Motor Just like solenoids (mentioned above), your golf cart motor works HARD. When properly taken care of, the typical gas or electric golf cart motor can last many, many years (20 to 30+).
What happens when an electric motor burns out?
When a motor burns out, a short circuit occurs in the windings and the motor ceases to turn. You can test for a short circuit by checking the resistance of the windings with an ohmmeter; a reading of 0 ohms (Ω) indicates a short.
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
How does amperage affect golf carts?
It determines how far you can travel before having to fill up the tank. Well, Amperage in a golf cart is like the gas tank in your car. It will determine how far you can travel on a single charge in an electric Golf Car. The more amperage in a battery pack, the further you can drive before having to charge. Click here to learn how ...
How many volts are in a golf cart battery?
Now that we understand the differences between Amperage and Voltage, we can begin to break this down so we can locate the differences between various battery packs. For standard golf carts, we will typically see a Six Eight Volt Battery System. This can be visually determined by locating six batteries with 8 cells per battery. A cell is distinguished by a battery cap that is used for watering the batteries. With batteries used in Golf Carts, each cell will represent 2 Volts. Let’s take a look at the 5 most common battery packs we see in the market:
What is the relationship between horsepower and MPG?
To get a better idea of what amperage is like in a car, let us discuss the relationship between Horsepower and MPG. Horsepower within a car determines the acceleration and power of your car . If there is no fuel in the car though, then the vehicle is not going to go anywhere. That is the importance of MPG and also how big your gas tank is in your ...
Why is it important to know the difference between golf cart batteries?
The reason understanding their differences is so important is due to the large expense of replacement batteries. By knowing their differences ahead of time, you will be able to decipher which battery pack is suitable for you when making your golf cart purchase.
Is voltage in a golf cart battery similar to horsepower?
Therefore, Voltage in a battery pack inside of an electric vehicle has to do with power. It does not have to do with fuel. Therefore, voltage in a battery pack within a golf cart will be comparable to the horsepower in a car.
Why does my golf cart quit?
motor burnt-out. One of the big reasons your golf cart could quit on you is that your motor burnt out. Motor burnout happens when your engine gets too hot and overheats, frying the wiring and other components inside. One common cause of golf cart motor burnout is continually pressing the pedal to the metal like you’re trying to drive a race car.
How to find out if your cart has a burnt out motor?
First, you’ll want to reset your motor. Get out your handy screw driver and work to uncover the motor itself. It should have a small reset button (Usually it will be red) located near the main battery supply.
Why won't my cart start up after resetting the motor?
However, if your cart doesn’t start up after resetting the motor, you are most likely dealing with burnout. If this seems to be the case, remove the motor from your cart and inspect it to see if there are individual parts like bearings, coils, or brushes that are just broken. You can purchase these parts for a pretty low cost ...
Where is the reset button on a cart?
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 is wrong with my electric golf cart?
Electric golf carts are usually trouble-free and do their job efficiently and with no fuss, but sometimes you suspect your golf cart is experiencing a problem. If the speed seems to be off, or your cart gives off a burning wire smell, your golf cart motor might have a problem. Using a multimeter, a jumper wire, and a 12-24 volt power source, ...
When did golf carts start having separate excited motors?
In 1999, some golf cart manufacturers started offering Separately Excited Motors. Sepex (Regenerative) Motor carts have a toggle switch F&R device as opposed to the lever-action. In addition to this identifier, they have a tow/run or tow/maintenance switch which cuts power to the controller. Most of the modern-day carts are equipped ...
What is a series motor?
A series motor has field and armature windings that have the power fed to them from the same source, either in series or parallel. A SePex motor, as the name indicates, is a motor that has a separately excited field and armature windings. These two motor functions are sent to the PDS or DCS giving greater control over the motor.
How to check if electric golf cart is running?
It sounds absurd, but if your electric golf cart is not running, the very first thing I would check is the reset button on the side of the motor, if your cart is so equipped. Check around the outside of the motor and see if you can find a small button to press. This is usually a safeguard against overheating.
Why is it important to test a motor before replacing a controller?
This is an important test to do on your motor before replacing the controller because a short could damage the new controller irreparably. Please note that this test will not find a short in the armature. Note that continuity testing is not directional, so it doesn’t matter if the red and black are reversed.
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... link to Club Car DS Wiring Diagrams 1981 To 2002.
Why is my battery pack not connecting?
Corrosion is the number one cause of poor connectivity in battery packs. If any of the terminals are dirty or corroded, use a solution of baking soda and water with a brush and clean each one individually.
Should A Golf Cart Motor Get Hot?
The golf cart motor will get hot at some point. This is typical of many electronics, so it should not alarm unless the motor gets extremely hot. With normal use, the motor casing temperature will read 150º, although a high of 180º is also acceptable.
Can Electric Golf Carts Overheat?
Yes. Electric golf carts can overheat for several reasons. As mentioned earlier, the engine casing temperature will normally range between 150-180 degrees which means that anything above that is overheating. Several reasons can cause an electric golf cart motor to overheat. Let’s look at some of them.
Why My Golf Cart Motor Has A Burning Smell?
There are several reasons why the electric golf cart may be producing a burning smell, most of which are related to the amperage and the batteries. If you smell something burning and the cart has stopped, you probably have a burnout case on your hands. When you have ruled out the possibility of burnout, look at the following possibilities.
Will My Golf Cart Stop If It Gets Too Hot?
If you were driving your golf cart with a hot engine and it suddenly stopped, there is a good chance that the cart stopped due to overheating. The best-case scenario is that the battery is dead and needs a recharge, but if the power is intact, then you’re facing a motor burnout.
Can you charge a golf cart battery in a closed garage?
Preferably, you should charge your cart on the outside, but if you have sufficient airflow and ventilation in the garage, you should be fine.
Can golf cart batteries give off carbon monoxide?
The short answer is no, most lead acid batteries that golf carts use don’t emit that kind of gas. However, as mentioned above, they emit hydrogen gas, especially if the battery is at risk of overcharging.
Should I store my golf cart outside?
This seems like the most obvious solution, especially if you live in a warm climate. You won’t have to worry all that much about hydrogen gas creating fires, but there are other issues with storing your golf cart outside that can come up if you’re unprepared.
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 is a MCOR?
Every cart has a Motor Controller Output Regulator called MCOR. Any issue with the MCOR can easily affect your cart. This MCOR helps in converting your foot motion on the pedal into the necessary impulses to the motor controller unit. Check whether the MCOR has any issues or is broken.
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.
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.
Does my cart stop suddenly while driving?
Does your cart stop suddenly while driving and give out beep sounds? Well, you may not be the only one experiencing this. A lot of people have reported that they have experienced their carts stopping suddenly and giving out beeps. In some cases, the carts have started running again after the beep sounds stop.
Why does my club car shudder in reverse?
Answer: The “shuddering in forward but seems to run fine in reverse” is a very common issue with the 36-volt resistor coil for Club Cars. The reason for this is this system uses all the batteries for forward and only four for reverse. First, you will need to check for any loose or bad battery cable connections.
How to check if a battery is bad?
First, you will need to check for any loose or bad battery cable connections. Second, conduct a load test on the batteries one at a time . This will determine if a bad battery is an issue. To perform this test: Jack up the rear of the cart and turn the key switch on.