Why EZGO Golf Cart Won’t Move Forward or Reverse

Why won’t my EZGO golf cart go forward or reverse?

A EZGO golf cart may not go forward or reverse because of a  malfunctioning microswitch, solenoid, or ignition switch. Loose or corroded cable connections or a faulty controller can also cause the golf cart to not move.

• Malfunctioning microswitch.
• Faulty solenoid.
• Defective ignition switch.
• Loose or corroded cable connections.
• Faulty controller.

 

Malfunctioning microswitch

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. This is a good chance to check if the tab on the key switch has become loose. If so, you must fix it up or change the switch.

 

Improperly functioning solenoid

Check for a solenoid that is not functioning properly and get it changed with a new one. When defective, the solenoid fails to transfer current from the battery to other parts of your golf cart.

 

Defective ignition switch

Inspect the ignition switch to check if it’s working. You can do this by hooking the wires present under the dash, connecting it to the battery, an ohmmeter, and check the reading. If you don’t get any reading, change the switch.

 

Loose or corroded cable connections

Check if all cable connections are intact. Tighten all the loose ones. If there is any corroded connection, fix a new connection.

 

Faulty controller

Ensure that the controller is performing as required. If not, it’s likely to be defective and warrants a replacement.

 

Why EZGO goes in reverse but not forward?

Your EZGO may go in reverse but not forward due to a problem in the F&R contacts, faulty high amperage cables, or swapped motor wires.

Here are some steps you can follow to address this problem in an EZGO Series or an EZGO TXT golf cart.

1. Check out the F&R contacts of the cart to ensure that they are in good condition and have no problem like a short. Interchange the big cables behind the F/R switch that are at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions and see if the problem persists. If it does but there is a reversal of the shift handle, the F/R switch contacts are faulty and it’s best to change the entire assembly. In a DCS cart, this handle is fitted on to a circular assembly.

Also, this is a good chance to look out for a loose nut on the F/R switch. Tightening this nut should solve the problem.

2. There are chances that the A1 and S1 wires of the motor are swapped. Removing these wire connections and redoing them properly is likely to fix the issue.
3. Inspect all high amperage cables of the cart to see if they are loose or corroded. Tightening or replacing them as required will make the cart move in both directions.

 

Why EZGO gas golf cart won’t go forward?

The main reason why a EZGO gas golf cart will not go forward is because of a locked up brake, or a faulty solenoid and accelerator. A defective Run/Tow or Forward/Reverse switch can also cause a EZGO to not move forward.

You can check out the steps given below to address this problem.

1. Check if the brakes are performing as desired and aren’t seizing up. If it’s seizing up, it’s time to get the brakes changed to solve the issue.
2. Check if the Run/Tow switch and the Forward/Reverse switch are functioning properly and have not got stuck. If this is the case, releasing the stuck switch should help. If they look worn-out, you might consider replacing them rather than trying to set the old ones right.
3. Look out for a defective solenoid. Replace it if needed. Although this problem is found more often in electric carts, they can at times cause an issue in gas carts as well.
4. Inspect the accelerator to see if it is functioning as desired. Often, the contactor in an accelerator gets worn-out over time. It’s best to get the whole accelerator setup replaced.

 

Why EZGO gas golf cart will not reverse?

A EZGO gas golf cart will not go in reverse if there is a faulty transmission system, improper cable adjustment, a defective microswitch present inside the Forward/Reverse controller, or a malfunctioning neutral limit switch.

Sometimes, this happens if the cart is kept in the forward position for a long time. You can try the steps mentioned here to see if any of these helps to resolve the problem.

1. Check if you’re able to move the gas cart manually in the reverse direction. If you’re able to do this, the problem is with your transmission system. You’ll have to get assistance in setting this right or changed depending on what is needed.
2. Check all the cables and ensure that their connections are firm, tight, and securely in space. This is also a good chance to inspect if they are corroded and have to be changed.
3. Inspect the Forward/Reverse controller for a defective microswitch. If it’s just stuck, releasing it should be enough. If not, get the complete switch setup changed.
4. Clean the reverse contacts with a contact cleaner or rub them thoroughly with sandpaper. These contacts might likely have got corroded if the cart was parked in the forward position for a long time. This is a common problem with 1989 EZGO golf carts. You can also try turning the key to the OFF position and move the switch forward and backward multiple times.
5. Try bypassing the neutral limiter switch. Sometimes, when you do this, it can serve as a quick fix to the problem.

 

How to fix an EZGO RXV golf cart that won’t go forward or reverse

An EZGO RXV golf cart won’t go forward or reverse if the battery pack voltage is low, the solenoid has a discoloration, the battery connections are loose, or if the brake is failing.

In such cases, you can try out the following steps:

1. Check the battery pack voltage. This should ideally be close to 50 volts. EZGO RXV carts tend to stall if the battery pack voltage is low.
2. Look at all the battery connections and ensure that all of them are tight and free of corrosion. Tighten loose ones and clean or replace the corroded connections. This happens often in 2009 EZGO RXV golf carts.
3. Watch out for any discoloration in the solenoid. Often, the solenoid near the controller and below the plastic panel housing the Run/Tow switch tends to wear out. If you notice discoloration, it indicates that the solenoid is likely to need a replacement.
4. Look out for a failing motor brake. Getting it changed should help you get rid of the problem. Sometimes, all that you may have to do is to clean the corroded or rusted area at the bottom. You can also make use of this opportunity to inspect the motor encoder.

 

How to fix an EZGO TXT that won’t go in reverse

An EZGO RXV golf cart may not go in reverse due to a faulty reverse microswitch, bad cable connections, a defective solenoid, or a malfunctioning controller.

For most EZGO models, these steps given below can help you fix the problem.

1. Check if the reverse switch is making a connection as needed. You can do the check by swapping the wires on the Forward/Reverse switch. If only the Reverse mode works, the switch is at fault and you should get a new switch fitted. Sometimes, welded contacts may be the reason for this problem.
2. Check out for a defective controller and if you notice that it isn’t functioning as it should, it’s time to get a new one in place of the old controller. It’s better not to try and repair the old one.
3. Check if the two larger cables or the cables on the Forward/Reverse switch are connected correctly. They should be tight and secure without corrosion.
4. Check if the solenoid is engaging properly. Sometimes, although you hear the solenoid click, it may not be engaging. Replacing the solenoid may help.

 

EZGO PDS golf cart won’t go in forward or reverse

A EZGO PDS golf cart may neither go in forward nor reverse due to low battery pack voltage, a closed pedal switch, or a faulty controller.

You can try the steps highlighted here to fix the problem.

1. Check the battery pack voltage and the voltage of each battery. If the battery doesn’t have at least an 80% charge, one or more batteries may have a problem and need to be looked into.
2. Look out for a closed pedal switch that could be restricting the movement of the golf cart. When this is released, the cart will start moving properly.
3. Check for a faulty controller by unplugging the J4 cable from it and measuring the voltage rating at its pins 1 and 2. If you get a voltage reading on both the pins, it’s defective and must be changed. Opting for an Alltrax controller is a good idea.

 

Why EZGO PDS will not go in reverse

A EZGO PDS golf cart may go forward but not in the reverse direction if the Forward/Reverse switch has loose connections or the controller has gone bad.

You can try out the following steps to help solve the issue.

1. Check the Forward/Reverse switch of your golf cart for loose connections. If the connections are intact, interchange the top and bottom wires at the rear. If the cart now goes in reverse but not forward, the problem is with the switch. You have to just change the switch in this case.
2. Watch out for a defective controller. You can do a controller test as mentioned above. If it fails, replace the controller with a better quality one rather than repairing the old one.
3. Inspect the cable terminals of the batteries for corrosion. If they are corroded, you’ll have to clean them or sometimes even get them changed.
4. Look out for a blown-out inline fuse on the reversing relay coil and change it if needed.

 

EZGO Marathon goes forward but not reverse

An EZGO Marathon golf cart goes forward but has not in the reverse if the Forward/Reverse switch contacts fail to make contact in the reverse position or the KSI microswitch doesn’t make any contact when the Forward/Reverse switch is in the reverse mode. Sometimes, reverse microswitch may be defective and not engaging. You may have to do one or both of the following steps to rectify the problem.

1. Check if the contacts of the Forward/Reverse switch are properly aligned. If they aren’t, it’s likely that they aren’t making contact when the switch is in the reverse position. It’s ideal to get the switch replaced.
2. Check if you hear a clicking sound from the solenoid when you press the gas pedal. If you don’t, this indicates a problem in the KSI circuit that causes the KSI microswitch to not make contact. Getting the KSI circuit redone correctly should get the golf cart moving in both directions.

 

Why does my EZGO go fast when in reverse?

An EZGO golf cart goes fast in reverse if the wires on the motor are swapped, the Forward/Reverse switch is not in sync with the direction of the cart, or if there is a short of two wires at the motor or the Forward/Reverse switch.

You can try the following suggestions mentioned here.

1. Try swapping the A1 and A2 cables on the motor along with the S1 and S2 cables at the motor end.
2. Check if the controller has a half-speed reverse lead hookup. If so, getting this undone may resolve the issue.
3. Swap the leads in the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions on the Forward/Reverse switch.

 

Why is my EZGO golf cart stuck in reverse?

An EZGO golf cart gets stuck in reverse in case of a faulty Forward/Reverse switch, defective microswitches, or a shorted solenoid bracket.

You can check out these steps to release a stuck golf cart.

1. Check that the Forward/Reverse switch and the microswitches are performing as intended. If they’re stuck, releasing them gently should solve the problem.
2. Watch out for a shorted solenoid bracket. In this case, you’ll mostly have to change the controller along with the bracket as the short could have fried the controller as well.