Why is my Club Car solenoid resistor getting hot?
The solenoid resistor on a Club Car golf cart can get hot because of a faulty speed sensor, faulty solenoid or by using batteries that are too old.
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Using Old batteries
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Faulty speed sensor
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Congested Muffler
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Faulty speed sensor
Using Old batteries
A normal club car in good condition is expected to move at a speed ranging from 12 to 15 mph. When your car runs at a speed slower than 8 or 7 mph, you should know that it has a problem that needs to be addressed.
Using weak batteries over a prolonged period can result in long-term issues to the engine of your golf cart.
I was using Trojan batteries that were around 5 years old. When I got them replaced with new ones, I realized the car was moving at a much faster speed.
Old batteries tend to lose out on energy comparatively fast.
When you are charging the batteries, keep an eye on how fast they are charging and whether the cord is heating up during the charging process.
Here is the most basic way to check whether the new batteries are efficient. Find out whether the club car can move at a speed of at least 12 mph. If the car is moving at a speed slower than this, then there might be a few things you need to look into.
Inefficient speed sensor
The main function of a speed sensor is to read the rpm of the motor. This data or information travels to the speed controller.
The speed sensor plays an important role in keeping a healthy control over the multiple motor functions. These motor functions are classified as mechanical, electrical and magnetic.
A speed sensor is usually found at the rear end of the golf cart motor. They are mostly found in golf carts that operate on AC motors.
If the speed sensor malfunctions, the cart can slow down substantially. When the speed sensor makes a stuttering sound, you know that there is a problem with it.
The speed sensor can also malfunction when the magnet inside the golf cart is damaged.
How to Fix a Hot Club Car Solenoid Coil Resistor
Depending on the problem, there are multiple ways to fix a hot club car solenoid coil resistor. You must identify the issue accurately and then work towards solving it.
Here are a couple of ways to fix a hot club car solenoid coil resistor or speed up a golf cart.
Transmission Problem
For the engine to start, the gear of a golf cart must be in the Park position. If the gear or the transmission is in a neutral position, the vehicle will not move.
Shift the gear to the Park position and the engine will come to life without any difficulty. This kind of mechanism has been put together to ensure the safety of the driver and others traveling in the vehicle.
Battery Issues
If you suspect a problem with the batteries, make sure that you wear gloves made of thick clothing material before you check them out.
The batteries are made up of corrosive acid and so it would be very dangerous to check them with bare hands.
Also, remember to switch OFF the engine of the cart before checking the batteries.
The first thing you could do while checking the health of the battery is to turn around the connector a couple of times. After that, try to start the engine again.
If the engine responds immediately, there is a chance that the terminals of the battery might have been damaged.
Ignition Problem
An issue with the ignition is one of the most likely things that prevent the engine from starting. There could be a problem with the wiring arrangements which a person with good technical knowledge will be able to detect. If the wiring is loose, a technician can fix it quickly. If the wires, just like the batteries, are too old, they might have got damaged due to wear and tear. In that case, you will have to get them replaced.
Congested Muffler
It is natural for the golf cart’s muffler to get filled with unburnt oil or sludge. The congestion, apart from making the muffler malfunction, creates several long-term issues. To correct this problem, remove the muffler and heat the inside. This will help in burning up the unburnt oil and all the undesired material that is stuck inside it. Once you have done this, the muffler will get unblocked and start functioning normally again.
Inefficient solenoid
One of the most common signs of a solenoid malfunctioning is the absence of a click when you operate the accelerator. The solenoid in a golf cart is designed like a relay whose main function is to shield the sensitive components like buttons and switches. These parts can get damaged easily because of various factors like high temperature in the engine.
It is imperative to check the pack voltage that is present at the two posts surrounding the solenoid. The golf cart will not move even if one of them is damaged. If the solenoid heats up too much, the vehicle will not move.
Common symptoms exhibited by a bad solenoid
- A bad solenoid could be one of the possible reasons behind a golf cart not starting. If the cart happens to be gas-powered, the engine will not start. If it is powered by electricity, the cart will not move.
- There could be a situation when the cart, powered by gas, would start but the starter would fail to withdraw after the engine comes to life. When the different components come in contact with each other, the engine continues to provide the starter with power even when it is not required. This continued supply of power results in damaging the starter, flywheel or wiring.
- When the solenoid does not click, there could be a wiring connectivity issue. While that can be fixed, it is an indicator of the fact that the solenoid is not as efficient as it should be.
- At times the solenoid produces a click but the engine does not start. This could be as a result of damaged or burnt connections. If the connections leading to the solenoid are not joined properly or have a faulty connection, the solenoid will not function properly. If the battery is weak or has not been charged sufficiently, the required voltage amps will not reach the solenoid and it will not function properly.
Steps to fix
- Detach the two small wires from the solenoid.
- Connect the two jumper cables which you find attached to the positive and negative of the battery, to the negative side of the solenoid.
- If the starter engine malfunctions, there could be an issue with the connections leading to the starter. If the wiring is a little loose, you can fix it easily. If you realize that it has been damaged or corroded, you need to get it replaced.
- If the starter engine fails to start, pick two large jumpers and skip the two posts of the solenoid.
- If the issue persists, then you might have to replace the solenoid with a new one.