Help Trouble Shooting An Electric Golf Cart ? (Page 1/2)
cliffw JUL 31, 11:25 AM
Mine quit working. Less than one year old batteries, fully charged. It just quit running during use.

I need the electric supply route. I assume battery power starts at the battery, goes to the key ignition switch, then to the forward / reverse switch, then to the gas pedal.

Which then powers the forward / reverse mechanism which then tells the electric motor which way to spin to go forward or backward.

My problem is with one of those components, or just the wiring. Am I correct in my assumption ?

Also, it is a 42 volt system. It has headlights, running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and a horn. I believe these must be 12 volt. Will my 12 volt test light work on a 42 volt system ?

How does one test an electrical motor ?

Thanks in advance.
IMSA GT JUL 31, 12:27 PM
I don't know which cart you have but depending on brand there is usually a large solenoid under the seat. Do you hear any loud thump or click when you turn it on and press the pedal to go forward?

Also there should be a fuse block somewhere.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 07-31-2022).]

Jake_Dragon JUL 31, 01:43 PM
Make and model of the cart will go a long way.
cliffw JUL 31, 04:00 PM
Not sure on the year. The model is an EZ Go "Western".

The year is likely an 1986 to 1994 or a 1995 and newer.
williegoat JUL 31, 04:02 PM
Golf carts ain't that fast. You shouldn't have much trouble shooting one.
Jake_Dragon JUL 31, 04:20 PM
Perhaps join and ask over there
https://www.buggiesgonewild.com

If nothing works and the batteries are all showing a charge then start looking for broken or burnt wires.
Start at the batteries and work your way back through each component.

Not sure if this is the right one
82-T/A [At Work] AUG 01, 08:10 AM
I used to have an EZ-GO...



It was the original Miami Dolphins medical cart... though I'd cut the back off so that I was allowed to drive it on the golf course. I ended up selling it though... I was moving every few years, and my dad didn't want it in his garage, so I sold it to someone in Ohio who's wife was a huge Dolphins fan.


But I suspect the problem you're having are the solenoids. I had the 36v one, but yours should be no different. There are a series of solenoids that engage at different speeds. There should be at LEAST two I believe, if memory serves me right... but unfortunately, I can't find any pictures of them (I went looking on my page). The first solenoid is for forward and reverse if I recall, and it simply switches based on the direction of the forward/reverse switch. The second relay engages once the vehicle has reached about half speed. Some of them have three relays.

Definitely recommend the Buggies Gone Wild website, that's where I went to get advice on how to fix mine back in the day.
cliffw AUG 02, 05:34 PM

quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
It was the original Miami Dolphins medical cart.



Heh, my local radio station's DJ has a dolphin as his "emotion support animal".

Thanks all. My fix is not urgent and the cart is in a different county. I am armed to really screw it up, maybe.

My wife's Mom, deeply religious, who would not mock the Lord, used to tell my wiff to ask me to come over and lay my hands on something she needed fixed, .

I will get this thing fixed and let y'all know.

Now, the tease. It could be something as simple as a bad reed valve, . Wasn't a reed valve something that was found on a musical instrument, such as a flute ?

[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 08-02-2022).]

ray b AUG 04, 02:04 PM
https://www.buggiesgonewild.com/index.php?

42 volts is ODD
36 3x12v or 6x6v
or 48 4x12v or 8x6v

do you have a older sparkie with a coil resister or a black box
relays first then connections then switches
clean the terminals check the wires

buy a cheap volt ohm meter harbor freight under $10

[This message has been edited by ray b (edited 08-04-2022).]

maryjane AUG 04, 02:32 PM
reed valves are in smaller outboard boat motors, most 2 cycle and some 4 cycle internal combustion engines.


Ray, conversion from 36V to 42 volt was pretty popular mod for awhile until people realized it didn't cost any more to go on up to 48v instead.
They just added one 6V battery and charged it separately. A cheap upgrade with about a 10% power increase.