How to Troubleshoot Club Car Precedent / DS Fault Codes

How to Troubleshoot Club Car Fault Codes

There are different tests for troubleshooting problems you may have with your Club Car.

You need to check the voltage of each battery in the cart or ensure that the OBC is functioning properly. These two tests can be done using a voltmeter.

After rectifying a fault, you must reset the OBC. Check the wall socket and the golf cart charger to see if they’re working properly.

Run the Motor Unwanted Continuity Test to determine whether the motor is operating correctly. Check the voltage of the smaller solenoid terminals if you don’t hear a clicking sound from the solenoid when you turn the key to the ON position.

If the cart doesn’t accelerate smoothly, inspect the potentiometer for disconnected wires, broken parts or cracks. Verify if the electrical signals from the potentiometer are in line with the controller’s range.

 

How Do I Reset the OBC on my Club Car golf cart?

1. Turn the ignition key switch to the OFF position.
2. Set the Forward/Reverse switch to Neutral position.
3. Set the Run/Tow switch to Tow mode.
4. Disconnect the battery cable from the negative terminal of the battery pack.
5. Set the Run/Tow switch to Run mode.
6. Set the Forward/Reverse switch to Reverse position.
7. Turn the ignition key switch to the ON position.
8. Press the throttle pedal and lock it using a heavy object or request someone to hold it down for you.
9. Wait for the reverse buzzer to sound and go off in about half a minute.
10. Allow the golf cart to stay that way for at least five minutes so that the OBC is reset.

 

Best Club Car Diagnostic Tool

Four versions are available for the diagnostic tool for a Club Car. They are the user, technician, dealer and manufacturer versions. On average, the tool costs around USD 650. The user version has the maximum number of functions while the functions in the manufacturer version are limited.

The IQ System Display Module (IQDM) is a handheld diagnostic tool that is specifically intended for Club Cars.

You can also use an appropriate Curtis 1313 programmer to diagnose or program any IQ Club Car. This tool costs USD 400.

The Curtis 1313-4401 programmer is the most pricy OEM Programmer version and has a greater number of functions than other versions.

Curtis 1313-3301, Curtis 1313-2201 and Curtis 1313-1101 are the Dealer Programmer, Service Programmer and User Programmer versions respectively.

The Dealer Programmer is equipped with more functions than the Service Programmer and the User Programmer. The User Programmer has the least number of functions.

 

Club Car Precedent Fault Codes

The following table gives a list of fault codes used in troubleshooting a Club Car Precedent along with what they represent and the causes for the faults.

 

Fault Code	Meaning
12	Excess current flow in controller
13	Faulty current sensor
14	Pre-charge failure
16	Controller temperature is above normal or standard.
17	Very low voltage rating in batteries
18	Very high voltage rating in batteries
22	Controller overtemperature cutback
23	Undervoltage cutback
24	Overvoltage cutback
25	External +5V power supply failure
28	Motor temperature hot cutback
29	Faulty motor temperature sensor
31	Open/short mains and/or coil1 driver
36	Faulty encoder
37	Open motor phase
38	Welded motor contactor
39	Main contactor not closing
41	High throttle wiper
42	Low throttle wiper
45	Pot low overcurrent
46	Failed EEPROM
49	Fault in parameter changes
51	Fault in acuity
68	Error during VCL runtime
69	External supply outside specified range limit
73	Stall detection
93	Limited operating strategy encoder
FR	Cart in both forward and reverse select at a time

 

Controller Faults for a Club Car IQ System

The following table gives a list of controller related faults identified by the IQ System Display Module (IQDM) handheld programming and diagnostic tool and their corresponding controller responses for a Club Car IQ System golf cart.

 

Controller Fault	Controller Response
Hardware failsafe	A, B and C
Speed sensor	D
Throttle fault 1	A
Welded mains	D
Main driver ON	D
Main driver OFF	A and C
Faulty main coil	A
Main controller DNC	B
Missing field	A, B and C
Proc/Wiring	A
HPD	A
Overvoltage	A, B and G
Low battery	E
Stalled motor	F
Thermal cutoff	E
Main dropout	A and C
Open armature	A
Incorrect password	(no action)
Maximum password tries	(no action)

 

Club Car HPD code

The IQDM controller response code for HPD is A. The High Pedal Detect (HPD) fault is identified if the accelerator is depressed already when the key switch of the cart is put to ON position.

A fault can also occur if the accelerator is pressed when the preferred direction is altered with a press of the Forward/Reverse switch. This fault also specifies that the pedal limit switch has failed to close.

• On an Excel Club Car, one or more diodes in the wire harness aren’t functioning. Identify the correct diode and do a replacement.
• There is a failed resistor in the converter harness box. Check the resistance of the three MCOR wires that are connected MCOR 3 pin plug to controller 16-pin plug. Each of the resistors should have 453 Ohms resistance.

 

Open Armature Fault (Club Car)

TheIQDM controller response code for open armature fault is A. The open armature fault is identified if the accelerator pedal is pressed almost completely towards the floor. There isn’t any speed sensor pulse and/or the current flow through the armature isn’t more than or equal to 20 amps.

• The motor armature wire at either the speed controller end or motor end is either disconnected, loose or broken. If the wire is disconnected or loose, reconnect it or tighten it as appropriate. In case of a broken wire, do a replacement.
• The motor brushes or armature may have failed. A replacement of the defective part is needed.
• The FETs that are responsible for controlling the current through the armature are defective. The speed controller must be replaced.
• There is a short in the motor. Identify the short circuit and get it repaired. In rare cases, a motor replacement may be needed.

 

Main drop out fault (Club Car DS)

The IQDM controller response codes for main drop out fault are A and C.This fault is detected if there are open solenoids when the golf cart is in use.

• The solenoid is losing ground and is therefore not able to establish a contact. Alternatively, the solenoid tends to drop out when the cart is in motor/regen braking. This may be due to a faulty key switch, controller 16-pin connector, MCOR, solenoid contacts and coil, battery cables, batteries or FNR switch. Identify the defective component and do a replacement.
• The solenoid dropout kit is defective. Replacing the kit with a new one can fix the problem.
• The fuse above the controller is malfunctioning or stressed out. Change this fuse with a new one.
• One or more diodes on the solenoid dropout harness have failed/shorted. Fit a new diode in -the harness such that its banded side is towards the pin #9 of the controller. There is no need to remove the old diode. You can alternatively install an IQ main drop out harness between the wire harness and the Run/Tow switch.
• The input shaft is either warped or bent. When a new one is put in its place, the problem gets resolved.
• The cables from the controller to the motor have a problem due to broken terminals or a bad crimp connection. They have to be taken out and new ones must be put in place.

 

Anti-tamper fault (Club Car Precedent)

The anti-tamper functionality is integrated into the Visage GPS of a Club Car golf cart. It affects the maximum speed when a GPS signal is not detected on the golf course.

• If you have a Curtis handheld controller, you can set the Anti-Tamper option in the Program menu to zero. This disables the anti-tamper functionality. Also, remember to set the Control Mode parameter to zero.
• Cycle the Run/Tow switch. This can help to get this fault cleared.

 

Throttle fault (Club Car Precedent)

The IQDM controller response code for throttle fault is A. The controller identifies this fault when the MCOR voltage dips to lower than 0.20 volts or increases beyond 4.80 volts.

• There is a problem with the throttle linkage such a broken return spring or bent parts. Check the linkage and replace the defective component.
• Check the resistance of the MCOR. If this value is less than 200 Ohms and more than 6 kilo Ohms, it’s time that you changed the unit.
• The controller in use may not be compatible with the golf cart although it supports bolting and plugging without having to do any modification. Using a different controller is likely to help.
• The accelerator linkage that causes fluctuation of the MCOR signal has a problem. Getting this rectified addresses the issue.
• The speed sensor is faulty or malfunctioning. A replacement of this sensor will often solve the problem.
• The throttle positioner that is under the floorboard may have got stuck. Releasing it from this position can serve as a fix.

 

Circuit breaker open fault (Club Car)

The circuit breaker open fault is connected to the walk-away circuitry that has a 20A fuse and a walkaway relay. The 24-pin Pin 3 connector has the same voltage as the battery when the Run/Tow switch is set to run position.

This connector senses the 20A fuse while pins 9 and 23 of the controller are connected to the Walkaway relay coil.

• The charging relay near the solenoid and controller has become defective. Replace it with another relay of the same type.
• The circuit breaker near the tow/run switch has a problem. To check this, disconnect the wires at the bottom of the breaker and connect them to a blade fuse of the same rating. If the golf cart functions properly, you need a replacement breaker.
• There is a problem with the wire harness between the controller and the circuit breaker. Alternatively, the controller may be defective. Identifying which one is defective and changing it can help.

 

Relay coil fault (Club Car)

The IQDM controller response code for relay coil fault is B. This fault is identified when the solenoid receives a voltage from the speed controller to activate its coil but there are no closed solenoid contacts.

• The solenoid contacts may be welded. You can check if this can be repaired. If not, go in for an identical solenoid replacement. To check if this is the problem, position the key switch in the OFF position and verify if there is power in the Walkaway relay on just one side of the contacts.
• The diode or pre-charge resistor on the solenoid coil may not be installed properly or could have shorted. Check these components and fit them properly if it’s an installation problem. In case of burnout, do a replacement.
• The speed magnet or sensor may have gone bad. Getting a new or properly functioning one fitted in place helps to solve the problem.
• Connecting a jumper between the relay pink wire that has the power to the relay coil and the relay tan wire that has the power from the breaker will often clear the error.

 

ERIC charging fault (Club Car)

The ERIC charger is used to charge the batteries in a Club Car Precedent. There are a few problems encountered with the charging and their fixes.

• The 30A fuse on the red wire connected to the charger receptacle may have burnt out. Removing the old fuse and putting a new one should do the trick.
• Check if the cable terminals and battery posts are tight and clean. Remove the cables and ensure that the top of the battery posts where they make contact with the terminals are clean. If there are loose connections, tighten them.
• Check the electrolyte level and voltage rating for each battery individually. A battery that does not meet the desired level requirements indicates a failing battery and must be replaced.

 

Motor stall fault (Club Car)

The IQDM controller response code for relay coil fault is F. This fault is identified when there is a high motor current and the wheels of the cart have no movement for a short period. It also happens when the accelerator is released instead of the brake when the cart goes uphill.

• The speed sensor may be at fault. Doing a speed sensor test can confirm this. If the sensor fails, opt for a replacement.
• The 48V/30A Walkaway relay near the controller and below the solenoid has a problem. A replacement should stop the problem.
• The armature of the motor has burnt out and you may need to put a new one. You can also check the brushes and replace them if they’re worn out.
• The controller is defective. Replacing it fixes the problem.
• One or more batteries have a low voltage rating. At times, the problem could be with the battery pack. Setting this right stops the stalling.