Golf cars require “continuous duty” solenoids because they are energized the entire time the car is under power. Auto style solenoids will work as a “continuous duty” solenoid for a while but they will prematurely fail. Lots of things go wrong with these switches.
What is a golf cart solenoid and why is it important?
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 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.
Why is there no click on my golf cart solenoid?
There was no click from the solenoid, but it was because there was no power coming from the battery due to all the corrosion and gunk. Solenoids are one of the cheaper components to replace on a golf cart, and it is a great idea to have at least one on hand in your work area.
How does a solenoid work?
On a typical solenoid there are four posts called terminals. There are usually two large terminals and two small ones. Battery voltage is applied to the two small terminals to activate the solenoid, which then connects the two large terminals together. From time to time, the two large terminals malfunction and the solenoid needs to be replaced.
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.
What does a solenoid do for a golf cart?
The solenoid is the small unit that rides on top of the starter in the engine. The solenoid brings power from the battery to the rest of your golf cart. With the use of an electric charge, a solenoid may generate a magnetic field.
Can a golf cart run without a solenoid?
Without getting too complicated, at this stage, it is responsible for transferring power to the vehicle. Without it, the golf cart will simply not function correctly if at all.
Do golf carts have solenoids?
Every golf cart, regardless of whether it is gas or electric, uses a small but powerful device called a solenoid. Solenoids are constantly working in your golf cart, and are what allows the electrical current from your battery to provide power to the rest of the vehicle.
Is a golf cart solenoid the same as a car solenoid?
Unlike the starter solenoid in your automobile, which works only as you start the engine, a golf car solenoid must work the entire time the pedal is down. Each time you stop and then restart your golf car the solenoid must also stop working and then start working again.
Can you bypass a solenoid?
5:037:29Solenoid Bypass - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll you have to do to bypass the solenoid. And make the starter turn is basically connect this hardMoreAll you have to do to bypass the solenoid. And make the starter turn is basically connect this hard copper wire to this point on the battery. Then you're not doing anything with the solenoid.
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.
Why does my gas golf cart not start?
As you can imagine, lack of fuel is the most common reason that gasoline golf carts don't start. This issue is incredibly simple to fix in most cases – just add fuel to the cart and it will start again.
Can a golf cart solenoid click and still be bad?
If You Have a Gas Golf Cart This means that your starter isn't able to disengage and that it's working all the time. In some cases, you might even start to hear lots of small, continuous clicks when you try to turn on your cart. However, in spite of these clicks, your cart isn't going anywhere.
How do I know if my gas 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.
Why does my electric golf cart have no power?
If you're lucky, the problem could be as simple as a loose wire or a broken coil. In some cases, corrosion can also be a factor. If you suspect a faulty solenoid, your best bet is to take your cart to a repair shop. A mechanic can diagnose the problem and replace the solenoid if necessary.
How does a golf cart electrical system work?
Electric golf carts work by sending power from the battery to the motor. Upon receiving electric energy from the power bank, the motor turns the wheel, and the car will start to run.
How can I make my gas Club car golf cart go faster?
Increase the RPM An increase in the input shaft rpm for all differential ratios will produce a higher speed. For a gas golf cart, other than adjusting the governor, the speed may be enhanced by replacing the engine with a higher rpm output model.
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 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 ...
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.
How to tell if solenoid is bad on golf cart?
The common symptom of a bad solenoid is no clicks when the cart’s ignition is on and you press the accelerator.
Why doesn't my golf cart solenoid click?
This can be a faulty wire connection, but can also mean the solenoid is beginning to fail. The golf cart solenoid doesn’t click when the accelerator is pressed. This again can be faulty wiring or a failed solenoid.
How to test golf cart solenoid?
A diode allows current to run in one direction, but not in the other. Testing the diode is a simple procedure. Remove the diode from the circuit and check the leads with a continuity tester.
What to do if your solenoid is not zero?
If the reading is not zero, then the solenoid is stuck and needs to be replaced. If the ohmmeter does read zero, set the cart to forward travel and turn the key switch on. Press the accelerator pedal (or have a friend do it) and you should hear a click. If you don’t hear a click, measure the resistance anyway.
How to tell if a golf cart won't start?
The first and most obvious symptom is the golf cart won’t start. If it is a gas-powered cart, the engine doesn’t turn over, and if it is an electric cart, the cart doesn’t move. Now, on to the next symptoms…. The engine on the gas-powered cart starts, but the starter doesn’t disengage after starting.
Where are the solenoids on a golf cart?
In all golf carts, new and old, the solenoids can be found under the seat or in the engine well and are easily identifiable by the wires that lead to them. Banks of heavy duty solenoids, as in the previous illustration, are mounted on the side or back panel near the electric motor.
Is a solenoid an electromagnet?
A solenoid is NOT an electromagnet, but like an electromagnet, it IS a coil of wire, partially surrounding an iron core, that is made to move inside the coil by the magnetic field caused by current flowing through the coil. It is used to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy, as in the operation of a switch.
How to check a solenoid?
Follow These Simple Steps to Check the Solenoid: 1. You will need a couple of tools: a voltmeter or multimeter, and (typically) a ½” wrench. 2. Disconnect any cables from the two large terminals. Be sure to wrap the cable ends in tape, and keep the ends separate from each other. 3.
What voltage is applied to the two small terminals to activate the solenoid?
Battery voltage is applied to the two small terminals to activate the solenoid, which then connects the two large terminals together. From time to time, the two large terminals malfunction and the solenoid needs to be replaced.
What is a golf cart solenoid?
We did a write up on golf cart solenoids if you want to get deeper knowledge, or learn how to test them. Like I said before, a solenoid is basically a switch, but more specifically, it’s a relay, meaning that it’s a switch that uses one circuit to control another.
How do golf cart batteries work?
Batteries work by changing chemical energy into electrical energy. Different types of batteries use different types of chemical reactions to do this, but for the most part they’re all very similar. We did a whole article on golf cart batteries ...
What is an inductive throttle sensor?
What that really means is when you push down your electric golf cart accelerator, you’re actually pushing a rod through an inductive sensor coil. The sensor coil uses this to tell the speed controller how much voltage to consume.
How does an electric golf cart work?
How Does a Golf Cart Work. In the most basic sense, your electric golf cart works by providing electric power from a battery pack to a motor that turns your wheels. Everything else involved is just a way of controlling when and how much of that power is being delivered. The battery pack is pretty basic.
How many volts does a golf cart battery pack have?
The battery pack is pretty basic. It could be anywhere from 6 to 48 volts, but it’s usually 36 or 48 volts on most newer electric golf carts. The battery pack’s power is routed to the motor, but along the way, it is changed by a solenoid and a speed controller to give you only the power you’re asking for and only when you’re asking for it.
How long have electric golf carts been around?
Electric motors have been around for a couple hundred years, and honestly after around the 1890s, not a whole lot has changed.
What is the part of a motor that moves?
The part that is moving is called the rotor. It’s essentially a rod wrapped in copper wire that reacts to the electromagnetic forces in the stator. With only those two parts, the rotor would find the attractant pole of the stator, and then the motor would stop. That’s what the commutator is for.
