EZGO Speed Sensor Troubleshooting (Complete Guide)

 

How to test an EZGO golf cart speed sensor

The EZGO speed sensor can be tested by ensuring that the three-pin plug from the sensor is connected.

1. Keep a wire-piercing probe over the output wire. This is usually green in color.
2. Raise one of the wheels of the EZGO golf cart and give it one full rotation using your hand.
3. Note the voltage reading of the cart. If you have a good sensor, the reading must rise to 5V 24 times from 0V for just one rotation.

 

How to bypass speed sensor on EZGO golf cart

The speed sensor on the EZGO golf cart can be bypassed by unplugging it from the speed controller.  By disconnecting the J5 pin on the speed controller, this will cause the golf cart to creep along as the controller will go into limp mode.

Bypassing the speed sensor on a EZGO golf cart is not recommended.

 

How to replace a sensor on an EZGO golf cart

The Run/Tow switch of the cart must be in Tow position when doing the replacement.

1. Remove the rear tire from the driver’s side of the golf cart.
2. Remove the circlip with two clips above the speed sensor.
3. Push the speed sensor in gently and then pull it out from its place.
4. Remove the wire connection behind the sensor.
5. Connect the wire to the new speed sensor.
6. Insert the sensor back where the old sensor was originally positioned.
7. Fix it in position by fastening the circular pins and clips.
8. Fix the rear tire of the golf cart and make sure it is secured firmly in place.

 

How to remove an EZGO speed sensor

You will need a pair of pliers to remove an EZGO speed sensor. Make sure that the Run/Tow switch is set to Tow mode when you do this. The speed sensor of an EZGO TXT PDS golf cart can be removed easily by following a few simple steps as given below.

1. Locate the speed sensor on the golf cart. This is usually present behind the rear tire of the golf cart on the driver’s side.
2. Remove the snap ring or circlip with two clips that hold the speed sensor in place, using a pair of pliers.
3. Pull the speed sensor from its place.

 

EZGO speed sensor magnet replacement

The EZGO speed sensor magnet can be replaced by taking the old magnet out from behind the speed sensor and putting a new one in place.

Once you have removed the speed sensor, its magnet is clearly visible and you can do the following to take out the old speed sensor magnet along with the clip that prevents it from sliding too much. A pair of pliers can make the replacement easy.

1. Remove the clip holding the speed sensor magnet in place.
2. Pull the magnet out gently using the pliers.
3. Put the new magnet in the same place from where you took out the old one.
4. Fasten the holding clip once again and ensure that it doesn’t slip out of place.

 

EZGO speed sensor problems

Some problems that you may face with your EZGO golf cart are that the cart creeps along or slows down after starting at a normal pace. These issues could be related to the speed sensor.

A faulty speed sensor wiring, a torn speed sensor wire, a broken speed sensor magnet, or a magnet that has slipped out of place can also cause problems.

• Cart creeps along very slowly.
• The cart starts at normal space and slows down.
• Speed sensor wiring is faulty or torn.
• The speed sensor magnet is broken.
• The magnet has slipped out of place.

You can try the following tips to solve most of the speed sensor related problems in your EZGO PDS golf cart.

1. Set the speed controller into Diagnostics mode and count the number of beeps that the golf cart gives out, to help you with the diagnosis. The controller is likely to be experiencing high current or low voltage or entering high temperature cut-off mode because of an intermittent switch, wire, or connection that deactivates the solenoid. Getting a new speed controller fitted should help to resolve the problem.
2. If the golf cart beeps very fast and continuously when it goes downhill, it means that the sensor is communicating with the speed controller. This indicates a faulty controller and replacing it should help.
3. When the cart shows no resistance when it’s pushed on a flat surface or an incline but move slowly with rollaway beeps, the speed sensor or its wiring is at fault. Check the wiring first and see if it’s torn or damaged. If this is the case, get the wiring redone. On the other hand, if this is intact, you must change the speed sensor.
4. Check if the speed sensor magnet is in position and has not moved out of place. If it has dislocated, you can try using super glue to fix it back in place. Alternatively, you can consider replacing the magnet and washer setup. It’s worth keeping in mind that this replacement is essential in the case of a broken magnet.

 

What are the symptoms of a bad speed sensor?

There are some key giveaway signs that indicate you have a bad speed sensor in your EZGO golf cart. You can check out for one or more of the following symptoms in your cart.

• Very slow creeping movement or erratic speed.
• The alternate fast and slow movement of the EZGO cart.
• Damaged, broken, or loose speed sensor magnet on the motor.
• Low voltage problem or bad battery.

The easiest and best thing to do to check your speed sensor when you notice the above symptoms is to do a roll-away test on the golf cart. This can help you confirm if you have a bad speed sensor that needs fixing.

 

EZGO RXV golf cart speed sensor location

On relatively older model EZGO RXV golf carts, the speed sensor was referred to as an encoder. This is located at the end-plate of the motor and can be accessed only by taking the motor off the cart. Newer models have a speed sensor harness on which the sensor is fitted.

 

EZGO TXT golf cart speed sensor location

The speed sensor on an EZGO TXT golf cart is located close to the motor. This sensor is present on the rear side of the motor on the driver’s side of the golf cart.

 

EZGO TXT speed sensor troubleshooting

You will need a voltmeter to assist you with troubleshooting the speed sensor of your EZGO TXT golf cart. The following steps can help you with going about this process.

1. Set the golf cart to maintenance mode if your cart supports this. The switch to set this mode is usually under the driver’s seat.
2. Make sure that your batteries are connected properly and that there is no loose connection.
3. Inspect the wiring from the motor to the battery to check for loose ends, kinks, damage, and so on. If you notice one or more of these problems, set them right before proceeding further.
4. Check the voltage of each battery of the cart individually and make sure that it has the desired voltage. Do a battery pack voltage check as well.
5. Check the battery voltage of your speed controller. To do this, you have to connect the voltmeter probes to the battery.
6. Check the solenoid voltage reading and compare it with the battery pack voltage. If both the voltages match, the solenoid is faulty and must be changed. On the other hand, if the solenoid voltage reading shows an increase by a minimum of three volts, there is a faulty resistor that should be replaced.
7. Place the positive probe of the voltmeter on the B+ terminal in the speed controller and the negative probe on its M connection. Check if the voltage reading rises from 0 volts to the battery voltage when you accelerate the cart. If there is no voltage change, the speed controller is defective.

 

EZGO RXV speed sensor troubleshooting

You can troubleshoot problems with the speed sensor of your EZGO RXV by carrying out a series of steps to determine if its speed controller is performing as desired. You can follow the same steps as given above.

However, you will have to remove the negative battery cable from the battery and remove the cover of the speed controller so that it’s visible. Once the cover is removed, you must reconnect the disconnected cable.

 

EZGO PDS speed sensor bypass

You shouldn’t consider bypassing the speed sensor of your EZGO PDS golf cart, especially if it has a stock speed controller. If there is no input from the sensor, the stock controller will make the cart move only at a speed of 2 to 3mph.

 

How to test EZGO PDS speed sensor

You can test the speed sensor of your 2006 EZGO PDS golf cart by following these simple steps mentioned here.

1. Activate the Run/Tow switch of the EZGO golf cart by setting this switch in the Run position.
2. Try to push the cart slowly forward. If you hear a rapid beeping sound and resistance to the pushing action because of the regenerative braking action, your EZGO golf cart has a good speed sensor and is communicating with the speed controller. On the other hand, if the cart begins to roll, it indicates that the speed sensor is faulty.

It’s worth noting that with a good speed sensor, the cart will roll if the switch is in Tow position. You can also consider taking off the speed sensor and ensure that its magnet present on the motor shaft is in place.

You can also consider checking the voltage at the J4 Pin 3 of the speed controller. When the accelerator is pressed until the solenoid clicks, the voltage should be 1-volt with a variation of +/-0.3V. When the pedal is released completely, the voltage reading must be 2.9V with a tolerance of +/-0.4V.