If the power from the battery pack is not reaching the motor, then the Club Car golf cart won’t move forward or reverse. In such cases, there are a few components in between the two that need to be checked. The solenoid is one major component. Check if the resistor between the two big terminals on the solenoid is hot.
Full Answer
How does a solenoid work on a gas golf cart?
This activates the steel rod in your solenoid, creating a circuit between the motor and the speed controlling systems on your golf cart. Once you release the pedal, the solenoid clicks off after a predetermined amount of time, saving your battery life. A gas golf cart solenoid works in a relatively similar fashion.
What happens when a starter solenoid goes bad on a golf cart?
In a gas cart, a bad solenoid prevents the starter from being engaged and therefore results in the engine not turning over. You will hear a series of futile clicking sounds indicating that the solenoid is faulty. Can you Bypass Solenoid on a Golf Cart?
Do I need a solenoid for my Yamaha golf cart?
Whether you have a Yamaha, E-Z-GO, or Club Car golf cart, and no matter if it is an electric or gas golf cart, you need a properly operating solenoid to get anywhere. What is a solenoid? What does my solenoid do exactly? Where is my solenoid? What is a solenoid? Good question! A solenoid, for our purposes, is a type of relay.
How do you troubleshoot an EZ GO golf cart solenoid?
EZ Go golf Cart Solenoid Troubleshooting. Try out the steps listed below to help troubleshoot the solenoid found in your EZ Go golf cart: Check to confirm if all the cable connections and wires are in place, as well as secure and tight. You must disconnect the negative battery cable before taking off the controller cover.
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 click but not move?
A Club Car golf cart can start clicking but not move, due to dust accumulating inside the battery ports. Opening the battery ports and checking whether there is any dust accumulation can tell you if this is the case. Cleaning it thoroughly with a cloth can resolve the problem.
How do you fix a golf cart that won't move?
When the cart won't move, you have to be sure that the batteries are sending sufficient power to the circuit. You must check the fuse. Use the voltmeter to check the voltage at the key switch. In a cart with batteries rated at 48V, it must show 48V at the key switch.
Why won't my golf cart go forward or reverse?
The problem could be with either the Run/Tow switch or Forward/Reverse switch or both. Check the switches to ensure that they aren't stuck midway. If they are, getting them released should help. However, if they show signs of wear and tear, you must get them replaced.
How do you bypass a solenoid on a golf cart?
Bypassing Golf Cart Solenoid Method If you do decide to bypass the solenoid, this is what you need to do: Take the two larger wires that connect to the solenoid and connect them directly (keeping all safety precautions in place). This should do the trick and if it does not work then the solenoid is not the problem.
How do you reset a golf cart 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!
How do I know if my golf cart solenoid is bad?
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.
What does a potentiometer do on a golf cart?
It sends an electrical signal to the speed controller from the accelerator pedal, indicating the pedal's position. When it is working properly, the potentiometer allows your golf cart to accelerate smoothly. Find your potentiometer and inspect it for any cracks, broken parts, or disconnected wires.
What is a golf cart MCOR?
Club Cars use an MCOR throttle device. This translates your foot movement at the pedal into electric impulse that the motor controller reads. MCOR stands for "Motor Controller Output Regulator".
How do I troubleshoot my EZGO forward/reverse switch?
Check all the connections and make sure each part is getting power by using the multimeter. Have your foot firmly on the brake, put in the key, and the F/R switch in the forward position. When you push the go pedal if the solenoid charges up then your EZGO F/R switch is good to go.
What makes golf carts go forward?
The next most common problem you're likely to experience with your golf cart is a malfunctioning controller. Controllers for direction come in two varieties – forward and reverse. As a result, a cart that will go forward but not reverse may have a broken controller for the reverse that needs to be fixed or repaired.
How does a forward reverse switch work?
If the forward pushbutton is pressed, as long as the reverse coil is not engaged, current will find a path through the normally closed reverse contact and energize the forward coil, causing all contacts associated with that coil to change their state.
Why is my golf cart making a clicking noise?
Golf Cart Making Clicking Noise Typically, a clicking noise on a golf cart suggests that wheels drums may be touching the sides of the vehicle. You may also hear a click sound if your car has lost any bolts that are wiggling in place as you ride your cart.
Why is my golf cart clicking?
Causes of the Clicking Noise These include the battery, the cables/connections to the battery, the solenoid, and the starter/generator. In the second stage, the other parts in the circuit like the micros, the key switch, and the fuses are examined to see if anyone of them is causing this situation.
Why is my golf cart solenoid clicking?
Solenoid Cable and Coil Damage Issues As we mentioned previously, the solenoid is often the most common cause of a click in a Club Car golf cart. It's not necessarily that their solenoids are less durable or reliable than those of other manufacturers, as such.
How do I know if my ezgo golf cart solenoid is bad?
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. If it jumps and displays full voltage, then the solenoid is the problem and should be replaced with a new one.
What is a solenoid in a golf cart?
A golf cart solenoid is one of the major components of any golf cart. This part is essential regardless whether you own an electric or gas golf cart because both types primarily rely on a solenoid for their movement. What this means is whichever brand or model you choose for your cart, a solenoid is truly an indispensable part of the vehicle.
What is a solenoid wiring diagram?
A solenoid wiring diagram can be very helpful in guiding you about the various connections made to and from the solenoid. This can come in handy when you set out to troubleshoot a problem in your cart on your own. The solenoid wiring diagram is generally very simple, straightforward and self-explanatory.
How to get a golf cart going without a glitch?
To get your golf cart going without a glitch, you most definitely need the solenoid of your cart to be functioning properly. Thus, it goes without saying that you must check this component occasionally to monitor its performance so that you don’t get stranded mid-way.
What does the inductive throttle sensor do on a golf cart?
When you push down the pedal of the golf cart downwards, the inductive throttle sensor sends out the first low power signal to activate the solenoid on its low side and the speed controller. The low side is the steel rod of the solenoid.
How often do solenoids work?
Since solenoids need to work very frequently; turning on and off each time you use the cart, they are prone to wear and tear easily. This is not surprising as they can switch on and off as much as 1,500 times a day). One of the first indications that a solenoid is faulty is when your cart fails to start.
Why is my golf cart not clicking?
This may be because the safety reed switch is not working properly in the charger socket. There could be a loose connection of the MOLEX plug.
What does it mean when your car doesn't start?
If the cart does not start, then it is a clear sign that your solenoid does not have a problem. However, if it does, this does not indicate that the solenoid is the cause of the problem. You will have to check out the complete ignition system.
What is a solenoid on a golf cart?
A solenoid, for our purposes, is a type of relay. A relay is a type of switch that uses a low power circuit to operate a high power circuit. A solenoid uses a magnetic coil (the actual solenoid) on a low power circuit to push a rod that closes a high power circuit. On your golf cart, this high powered circuit is either your ignition on ...
Why does my golf cart have no solenoid?
Golf cart solenoids are also typically one of the first components to fail in your golf cart, because they work very hard, turning on and off every time you stop and go in your golf cart. If you have an issue with no start or no go then your solenoid should be pretty high on your list of things to check.
What is a golf cart go switch?
On your golf cart, this high powered circuit is either your ignition on a gas golf cart or your electrical motor power circuit for an electric golf cart. Basically it’s your golf cart’s go switch, and it’s absolutely essential to your golf cart’s ability to do its job. Golf cart solenoids are also typically one of the first components ...
What happens if a solenoid reads infinity?
If it reads infinity or open lead, then the solenoid has an internal fault and requires replacement. Your solenoid should also have a range that it operates in, and if the resistance reads outside of that range, you should replace the solenoid even if it works to avoid damaging other components.
What is the most important part of a golf cart?
One of the most important components of your golf cart is the solenoid. It is one of the main components of your golf cart that allows it to move. Whether you have a Yamaha, E-Z-GO, or Club Car golf cart, and no matter if it is an electric or gas golf cart, you need a properly operating solenoid to get anywhere. Contents [ show]
What to do if your solenoid doesn't work?
Before you run out and get a solenoid, you’ll have to test the entire ignition system this way to find out what’s not working, and it is a bit of a pain.
What is a micro switch on a gas pedal?
This switch is what sends the low power to the solenoid. The solenoid uses this to create a circuit between the battery and the starter, thus starting your motor and getting you grooving.
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.
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 ...
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 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 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.
What is a solenoid in golf carts?
Simply put, a solenoid is a device that can transform electrical energy into mechanical energy. It's a coil of wire which is used as an electromagnet. The solenoid has the capability of creating a magnetic field with the help of an electric current. Solenoids work as the “go switch”, which is a must for any golf cart.
How to tell if golf cart solenoid is bad?
One of the most common and obvious signs of the bad solenoid is the golf cart's failure to start when you initiate the ignition process. Once you click the accelerator and turn on the ignition switch, it is supposed to send a signal to activate the solenoid and start the cart. If the cart does not start, there is a big possibility ...
Why is my golf cart not starting?
If the cart does not start, there is a big possibility of a damaged solenoid. Another reason for a bad solenoid is that the contacts are starting to get damaged due to overheating or high current passing through them. Note: You may not necessarily experience all of these issues to recognize bad solenoids on your golf cart.
Why won't my golf cart turn over?
For a gas golf cart, the most common symptom is the starter failing to engage, so the engine doesn't turn over. Starters have the responsibility of activating the flywheel. When the flywheel starts to work, the starter is supposed to disconnect.
Why does my golf cart solenoid not move?
It could be faulty, worn out, or have a loose connection. The contacts could have overheated which not only causes problems and damage but is also a potential danger. If you find that the golf cart solenoid just clicks but does not move it could be one of several issues and more diagnostics will be necessary.
What is a solenoid on a golf cart?
The solenoid on a golf cart, be it gas or electric, is a simple yet critical component, It is often appropriately referred to as the heart of the golf cart. Without getting too complicated, at this stage, it is responsible for transferring power to the vehicle.
Why is a golf cart important?
A golf cart makes the game more enjoyable and speeds up play. It also allows older people to enjoy the game even if they do not have the fitness to walk the distance. One of the most important components of the cart is the solenoid. It also happens to be the part most likely to give you issues. We take a look at the importance ...
How many times does a solenoid kick in?
An average round could see the solenoid kick in more than 1500 times. We will take you through the signs to look out for if you expect a solenoid issue, how to test the component, how to bypass it if necessary, and other related information that can help you avoid or fix solenoid issues.
Why does my gas cart not engage?
This is often the result of the contacts not releasing. What it does is cause the starter to operate continuously, even when the ignition is in the off position.
Can a golf solenoid cause a golf cart to not work?
It is important to look out for these symptoms and take corrective action when necessary. A faulty solenoid could not only leave you without a functioning golf cart but poses a safety risk.
Do electric golf carts have solenoid issues?
Electric golf carts are also prone to solenoid issues although they are slightly less prevalent than with gas models. When you use the ignition, you expect to hear a click sound. If you do not hear this sound when using the ignition, it is quite likely to be an issue with the solenoid.