Recently my Club Car golf cart just won’t shut off. I’ve tried everything I could think of. Anyone else experiencing this issue?
Response
I’ve had the same issue with my Club Car golf cart not shutting off. After some digging, I found a few solutions that worked for me and others. One of the solutions that worked for me was checking and cleaning all the grounds, especially the white/black wire that runs along the clutch side of the engine.
Solutions that worked for users
| Solution | Users Who Found Success | Personal Experience | Estimated Cost (USD) | Time Needed (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check/Clean/Tighten All Grounds | 2 | Checked and cleaned all grounds | $0 | 10-15 |
| Check the Solenoid | 1 | Checked the solenoid and found it was shorted | $20-50 | 20-30 |
| Check the White Wire with Black Tracer Stripe | 1 | Checked the white wire with black tracer stripe | $0 | 10-15 |
Symptoms
- Golf cart engine keeps running even when the key is off
- Golf cart engine doesn’t respond to the gas pedal being released
Possible Causes
- Faulty wiring
- Bad solenoid
- Poor grounding
- Malfunctioning microswitches
Handy Tips
- Always disconnect the battery before working on any electrical components to avoid accidental shocks.
- Use a digital multimeter for accurate readings when checking electrical components.
Solutions that Worked
1. Check/Clean/Tighten All Grounds
What I Did:
Checked and cleaned all the grounds, especially the white/black wire that runs along the clutch side of the engine.
Outcome:
The golf cart engine finally shut off.
Personal Experience:
After checking and cleaning all the grounds, the issue was resolved.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
10-15 minutes
Steps:
- Turn off the golf cart and remove the key from the ignition.
- Disconnect the battery for safety.
- Locate all the ground wires in your golf cart, usually colored black or green.
- Use a wire brush to clean any corrosion from the wire ends and connection points.
- Tighten all loose connections using a wrench.
- Reconnect the battery and test the golf cart.
Expert Tip:
Always start with the basics when troubleshooting electrical issues. Check all the grounds and wire connections first before diving into more complex components like solenoids and microswitches.
2. Check the Solenoid
What I Did:
Checked the solenoid and found that it was shorted out.
Outcome:
The golf cart engine shut off as it should.
Personal Experience:
I had recently replaced the solenoid, but it turned out the new one was faulty.
Estimated Cost:
$20-50
Time Needed:
20-30 minutes
Steps:
- Turn off the golf cart and remove the key from the ignition.
- Disconnect the battery for safety.
- Locate the solenoid, usually near the battery or engine compartment.
- Use a digital multimeter to check for continuity across the solenoid terminals.
- If the solenoid is faulty, remove it by disconnecting the wires and unscrewing it from its mount.
- Install the new solenoid and reconnect the wires.
- Reconnect the battery and test the golf cart.
Expert Tip:
If you’ve recently replaced parts and are still experiencing issues, double-check those new components. Sometimes, new parts can be faulty or may not be compatible with your specific model.
3. Check the White Wire with Black Tracer Stripe
What I Did:
Checked the white wire with a black tracer stripe that runs along the passenger side of the engine.
Outcome:
The golf cart engine shut off.
Personal Experience:
I found that this wire was disconnected, so I reconnected it, and the issue was resolved.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
10-15 minutes
Steps:
- Turn off the golf cart and remove the key from the ignition.
- Disconnect the battery for safety.
- Locate the white wire with a black tracer stripe. It usually runs along the passenger side of the engine.
- Ensure it is properly connected to the RPM limiter.
- If disconnected, strip the wire ends and use a wire connector to reconnect it.
- Reconnect the battery and test the golf cart.
Expert Tip:
This wire is crucial for grounding the ignition to kill the spark when the key is switched off or the gas pedal is released. Make sure it’s properly connected.
Golf Cart Models where This Worked
- 2001 Club Car DS
- 1995 Club Car DS
Safety tips
- If you’ve recently done any modifications or installations, like adding lights or a sound system, double-check those connections. Sometimes they can interfere with the main electrical system.
- If you’re still experiencing issues after trying these solutions, it might be worth consulting a professional mechanic specialized in golf carts.
I hope this helps anyone facing the same issue. If you have any more solutions or tips, feel free to share!