How to Troubleshoot Your Electric Golf Cart
If you’re a proud owner of an electric golf cart, you know just how versatile and convenient they can be. However, no matter what model you have and how you use it, there will eventually come a time when you may need to troubleshoot some common issues. If you’re not quite sure where to begin, then you’ve come to the right place.
Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports has created this guide with some tips for troubleshooting your electric golf cart. If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at one of our dealerships in Raleigh or Wilmington, North Carolina.
Inspect the Batteries
Your electric golf cart’s battery is the likely culprit when it comes to electrical system problems. When you’re facing electrical issues, always check the battery for a charge first. A golf cart that’s been sitting unattended for a week or two is a likely candidate for a drained battery. With some models, the cart draws a small amount of electricity even when it’s not in use. Over several months, this can completely discharge the battery.
Batteries also lose their capacity with age. Make sure to check the level of water and electrolytes. There should be enough water to cover the conductive plates, but if you fill too much water, the electrolytes will overflow. It’s best to use distilled water and fill it when the battery has been charged as that increases the level of electrolytes. Remember to examine the posts and cables for any sign of wear or any material deposits. If the battery isn’t the cause of the electrical system problem, you’ll want to seek professional service. Your friends at Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports would be happy to help.
Solenoid
The solenoid in your electric golf cart is a crucial part that’s responsible for starting your engine. It’s a type of an electromagnet in the form of a coil of wire that creates a magnetic field from electric currents. To check the solenoid, you’ll need to get a voltmeter, which will show you how much electricity is flowing from the ignition to the engine. A weak result means you’ll have weak start-ups, which damages your battery over time. You should ideally check the solenoid every two months to make sure it’s working properly. The solenoid should make a clicking sound when you turn the key to start the golf cart. If the battery is fully charged but the solenoid doesn’t work, you will need to replace it.
Check Charger & Potentiometer
If you’re experiencing issues with the charger, test the outlet it is plugged into and inspect the charger connections. Look for signs of corrosion or damaged wires. A power surge could have caused the circuit breaker to trip or the diodes inside the charger to fail. Next, check the potentiometer switch that controls the speed of your electric golf cart. Make sure that it is in good shape and that the connections are secure.
Reset the Motor
If you find that the batteries, solenoid, charger, and potentiometer are working properly, but still your electric golf cart is not starting, then you can reset the motor to see if it runs. Use a screwdriver to locate and expose the motor. You’ll find a small red reset button near the main power supply. Press this button, connect the golf cart to the charger unit, and then recharge the batteries. Try to start the golf cart again. If the motor does not spin, it might be burnt-out and will have to be replaced. Inspect the motor for damaged bearings, coils, or worn brushes. Issues with batteries and power sources are pretty easy to diagnose and fix, but if the motor is the problem, you’ll want a professional to handle this as soon as possible.
At Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports, we’ve got a team of expert technicians who are well-versed in troubleshooting and repairing electric golf carts. So if you know there’s a problem with your golf cart, feel free to bring it into one of our dealership locations in Wilmington or Raleigh, NC. We’d be happy to get your vehicle up and running! We’re proud to serve all our friends from Clayton and Cary.