My golf cart has no power to the solenoid (help needed!)

I really need some help with my golf cart issue. My EZGO TXT golf cart has no power going to the solenoid. I’ve tried a few things but no luck so far. Anyone else faced this issue and found a fix?

Response

One thing that really helped me was checking the microswitches and fixing any loose wiring.

Solutions that worked for users

SolutionUsers Who Found SuccessPersonal ExperienceEstimated Cost (USD)Time Needed (Minutes)
Check Microswitch Wiring and Contacts4Checked microswitch wiring and it worked$05-10
Test Voltage from Throttle Pedal Micro3Tested voltage and found inconsistencies$05-10
Check for Faint Clicking Noise in Go Pedal3Heard faint clicking but cart didn’t move$05-10
Replace Bad Battery3Replaced bad battery and it worked$100-$20030-60

Symptoms

  • Golf cart doesn’t move
  • No clicking sound from the solenoid
  • No power to the solenoid when pressing the pedal

Possible Causes

  • Bad microswitches
  • Faulty wiring
  • Dead or weak battery
  • Bad solenoid
  • Damaged diode on the solenoid

Solutions that Worked

1. Check Microswitch Wiring and Contacts

What I Did: Checked the wiring and contacts of the microswitches.
Outcome: The golf cart started working again.
Personal Experience: After checking the microswitch wiring, the cart started moving.
Estimated Cost: $0
Time Needed: 5-10 minutes

Steps:

  1. Turn off the golf cart and disconnect the battery.
  2. Locate the microswitches in your golf cart, usually near the pedal box or under the seat.
  3. Use a multimeter to test the switches for continuity.
  4. Check for any loose or disconnected wires.
  5. If faulty, replace the microswitch.
  6. Reconnect the battery and test the cart.

Expert Tip: Microswitches can fry instantly if wired incorrectly. Always double-check your connections and test the microswitches with a meter before installing them. Also, consider using dielectric grease on the contacts for better conductivity.

2. Test Voltage from Throttle Pedal Micro

What I Did: Tested the voltage coming from the throttle pedal microswitch.
Outcome: Found inconsistencies in the voltage readings.
Personal Experience: After testing the voltage, I found that it was inconsistent, which was causing the issue.
Estimated Cost: $0
Time Needed: 5-10 minutes

Steps:

  1. Turn off the golf cart and disconnect the battery.
  2. Locate the throttle pedal microswitch.
  3. Use a multimeter to test the voltage.
  4. Check for any inconsistencies in the readings.
  5. If inconsistent, consider replacing the microswitch.
  6. Reconnect the battery and test the cart.

Expert Tip: If you’re getting inconsistent voltage readings from the key switch, it’s crucial to also check the voltage coming from the throttle pedal microswitch. A faulty throttle microswitch can mimic other electrical issues, so don’t overlook it.

3. Check for Faint Clicking Noise in Go Pedal

What I Did: Listened for a faint clicking noise when pressing the go pedal.
Outcome: Heard the noise but the cart didn’t move.
Personal Experience: I heard a faint clicking noise but the cart wasn’t moving, indicating multiple issues.
Estimated Cost: $0
Time Needed: 5-10 minutes

Steps:

  1. Turn on the golf cart.
  2. Press the go pedal and listen carefully.
  3. If you hear a faint clicking noise, further investigation is needed.
  4. Check the solenoid and its connections.
  5. Test the microswitches and their wiring.

Expert Tip: A faint clicking noise when stepping on the go pedal is likely just the microswitch. If you hear this but the cart isn’t moving, you may have multiple issues to address. It could also be a sign of a weak solenoid coil.

4. Replace Bad Battery

What I Did: Replaced the bad battery in the cart.
Outcome: The cart started working again.
Personal Experience: After replacing the bad battery, the cart was back in action.
Estimated Cost: $100-$200
Time Needed: 30-60 minutes

Steps:

  1. Turn off the golf cart.
  2. Use a multimeter to test each battery in the cart.
  3. Identify any batteries that show a significantly lower voltage.
  4. Remove the bad battery and replace it with a new one.
  5. Reconnect all cables and test the cart.

Expert Tip: One bad battery can bring down the entire pack’s performance. Always check individual battery voltages and replace any that are significantly lower than the others. Also, consider doing a load test on the batteries for a more accurate assessment.

Golf Cart Models Where This Worked

  • 1992 Club Car DS
  • Early 2000s 48-volt Club Car
  • 1990 Marathon Controller Cart
  • 1983 Marathon Resistor Cart

Handy Tip: Always keep a multimeter and basic toolkit in your golf cart. You never know when you’ll need to do some on-the-spot troubleshooting.

Ernie

Ernie loves documenting interesting facts about golf.

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