Slo go any mo!

old dog · 12-28-2008, 05:06 PM

Hello from a newbie. I,ve had an EZ-GO (about 1985 model, 36 v) for years and speed was acceptable. I replaced it with a 1988 Club Car which had been very well kept. The batteries in the EZ-GO were less than 3 years old so I swapped them to the Club Car.Before the swap the Club Car was sluggish. It remained sluggish after the swap. The EZ-GO was the same as it had been before the swap.
I feel like the Club Car is running about 70-80% normal speed. I am not interested in "hopping it up", only to be able to keep up to the other carts on the course. It feels like some component is not doing its job. I'm a fair mechanic but totally unfamiliar with the electric drivetrain.what should I do to try to diagnose and correct this problem?

rusty · 12-28-2008, 10:28 PM

Welcome to the forum old dog...............

When pressing the go pedal, does it grab or jerk and take off then?

Does it have 5 solenoids?

1988 models that had the 5 solenoids were bad about slow speeds and one or several solenoids bad causing the slow speeds.

Jack up the rear end and check for 5 clicks as well as check voltage coming out of each solenoid. Also check resister coils to see if any are broke or rusted through leaving an open.

There are others here on the forum who can give you lots of help on these.

old dog · 12-28-2008, 11:25 PM

Thanks for the quick response, Rusty. I'm impressed.
Yes, it does jerk taking off. It does have 5 solenoids.
Where can I get info on how to check the solenoids? I assume that checking the resistor coils is just a visual thing, but if one is bad, can it be replaced or is it necessary to replace the solenoid? Do the solenoids have "points" that can be cleaned or filed to improve contact, like cars used to have?

scottyb · 12-28-2008, 11:38 PM

The solenoids are sealed units. Like a switch. Each solenoid switches the power feed thru a different coil...The coil farther to the driver's side is the master the other 4 are 4 speeds....you can hear & feel them click. Put the cart on jacks remove the seat bottom and check that all the solenoids click....Your high speed (13mph

) may be out.....

old dog · 12-29-2008, 05:14 PM

thanks for the response,scottieb. I think understand what i'm looking for,but is there some procedure for testing for voltages, continuties,resistences,etc on the system and on the individual components? Maybe I need some kind of manual. Is there anything like this on the Forum?

Also, I see references to something called "v-glide". Apparently some carts like mine have it and some don't. What is it?

shadowman · 12-29-2008, 08:26 PM

its just a differernt type of speed system, as scotty said said jack the rear up put cart in gear turn key on and slowly start pressing the gas pedal.......the 1st click is power wheels will not spin now at the 2nd click wheels should start spinning slow than 3rd click wheels faster until you get to forth....................chances are if its jerking when you take off its either 1st speed or 1st and 2nd speed not working...................so you,ll need to replace one maybe 2 solenoids, as for the manual you should be able to find it online........................................

scottyb · 12-29-2008, 08:50 PM

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old dog · 12-31-2008, 04:35 PM

Thanks for all of the assistance & suggestions about my "slo go". I have a few things I've discovered that may bear on ethe problem kof low power, at least with this spec of cart.
As mentioned at start of thread, this is a 1988 Club Car,purchased from the original owner. It is 36 V. It has 5 solenoids with resistance coils on top of each one. It has a small aluminum box with wires going to the solenoids. I understand that this box contains replaceable micro switches which control the solenoids. The accelerator linkage attaches to an arm coming out of the bottom of this box., There is no looseness in these joints and the arm goes full travel when accelerator is floored.
While in Baton Rouge yesterday, I dropped in on Golf Carts of La. (nice folks!) and found out the repair manual could be ordered for about $60. We discussed the drive system. However, they weren't able to explain what would cause loss of power or how a bad solenoid or micro switch would cause the car to act. One opinion was that if a solenoid was bad, the cart would stop when the micro switch sent power to it. the same could be said of a bad micro switch. Once I start, the power is smooth, just not enough of it.
Short of taking the components apart to search for a problem, i'm unsure of the next step. Comments and suggestions will be appreciated.

12-28-2008, 05:06 PM	#1
old dog Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4	Slo go any mo! Hello from a newbie. I,ve had an EZ-GO (about 1985 model, 36 v) for years and speed was acceptable. I replaced it with a 1988 Club Car which had been very well kept. The batteries in the EZ-GO were less than 3 years old so I swapped them to the Club Car.Before the swap the Club Car was sluggish. It remained sluggish after the swap. The EZ-GO was the same as it had been before the swap. I feel like the Club Car is running about 70-80% normal speed. I am not interested in "hopping it up", only to be able to keep up to the other carts on the course. It feels like some component is not doing its job. I'm a fair mechanic but totally unfamiliar with the electric drivetrain.what should I do to try to diagnose and correct this problem?
old dog Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4

12-28-2008, 10:28 PM	#2
rusty Golf Cart Photographer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wichita Falls Texas - My Ride 2010 Club Car Posts: 6,236	Re: Slo go any mo! Welcome to the forum old dog............... When pressing the go pedal, does it grab or jerk and take off then? Does it have 5 solenoids? 1988 models that had the 5 solenoids were bad about slow speeds and one or several solenoids bad causing the slow speeds. Jack up the rear end and check for 5 clicks as well as check voltage coming out of each solenoid. Also check resister coils to see if any are broke or rusted through leaving an open. There are others here on the forum who can give you lots of help on these.

12-28-2008, 11:25 PM	#3
old dog Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4	Re: Slo go any mo! Thanks for the quick response, Rusty. I'm impressed. Yes, it does jerk taking off. It does have 5 solenoids. Where can I get info on how to check the solenoids? I assume that checking the resistor coils is just a visual thing, but if one is bad, can it be replaced or is it necessary to replace the solenoid? Do the solenoids have "points" that can be cleaned or filed to improve contact, like cars used to have?
old dog Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4

12-28-2008, 11:38 PM	#4
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,410	Re: Slo go any mo! The solenoids are sealed units. Like a switch. Each solenoid switches the power feed thru a different coil...The coil farther to the driver's side is the master the other 4 are 4 speeds....you can hear & feel them click. Put the cart on jacks remove the seat bottom and check that all the solenoids click....Your high speed (13mph ) may be out.....

12-29-2008, 05:14 PM	#5
old dog Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4	Re: Slo go any mo! thanks for the response,scottieb. I think understand what i'm looking for,but is there some procedure for testing for voltages, continuties,resistences,etc on the system and on the individual components? Maybe I need some kind of manual. Is there anything like this on the Forum? Also, I see references to something called "v-glide". Apparently some carts like mine have it and some don't. What is it?
old dog Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4

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12-29-2008, 08:26 PM	#6
shadowman The Last Moja Morani Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: jumping from cart to cart Posts: 8,975	Re: Slo go any mo! its just a differernt type of speed system, as scotty said said jack the rear up put cart in gear turn key on and slowly start pressing the gas pedal.......the 1st click is power wheels will not spin now at the 2nd click wheels should start spinning slow than 3rd click wheels faster until you get to forth....................chances are if its jerking when you take off its either 1st speed or 1st and 2nd speed not working...................so you,ll need to replace one maybe 2 solenoids, as for the manual you should be able to find it online........................................

12-29-2008, 08:50 PM	#7
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,410	Re: Slo go any mo! I have found manuals listed with this BGW Sponsor http://www.eastcoastcustomcartsinc.com/ Please support our sponsors

12-31-2008, 04:35 PM	#8
old dog Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4	Re: Slo go any mo! Thanks for all of the assistance & suggestions about my "slo go". I have a few things I've discovered that may bear on ethe problem kof low power, at least with this spec of cart. As mentioned at start of thread, this is a 1988 Club Car,purchased from the original owner. It is 36 V. It has 5 solenoids with resistance coils on top of each one. It has a small aluminum box with wires going to the solenoids. I understand that this box contains replaceable micro switches which control the solenoids. The accelerator linkage attaches to an arm coming out of the bottom of this box., There is no looseness in these joints and the arm goes full travel when accelerator is floored. While in Baton Rouge yesterday, I dropped in on Golf Carts of La. (nice folks!) and found out the repair manual could be ordered for about $60. We discussed the drive system. However, they weren't able to explain what would cause loss of power or how a bad solenoid or micro switch would cause the car to act. One opinion was that if a solenoid was bad, the cart would stop when the micro switch sent power to it. the same could be said of a bad micro switch. Once I start, the power is smooth, just not enough of it. Short of taking the components apart to search for a problem, i'm unsure of the next step. Comments and suggestions will be appreciated.
old dog Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4