Just my luck!!! RXV broke day before Halloween

av8erdunn

So we got the cart out and was getting it ready to take the kids trick or treating tomorrow night but now it's broken. We were riding it around the block when it started slowing down to a stop on its own. I could smell the brake dragging and I mad the mistake of touching it and oh my gosh was it hot. The tow switch didn't work so I had to use the plugs behind the panel to get it home. Any idea what would cause this? I have a dealer down the road but he will not be able to look at it until next week and I would love to have it going for the kids tomorrow night. Thanks in advance.

Also the cart is a 2013 RXV

BGW

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av8erdunn

Also, when I put it into reverse and press the accelerator it will move forward an inch or two before reverse.

av8erdunn

After reading, I am leaning towards the bearing encoder or the brake solenoid.
Thoughts???

BobBoyce

The symptoms you describe are of a motor brake failure. Where are you located? I have spare RXV and 2Five parts, including a brand new motor brake still in the E-Z-GO box. If you're close I could loan you one until you can order one and get it in. I also have the handset programmer to run diagnostics.

Bob

cgtech

Totally sounds like a motor brake failure, if the cart jumps forward & backward but won't drive. Also, forget about this "brake solenoid" nonsense, no Rxv ever made has a brake solenoid that can cause the cart to slow down & stop with burning smell. The "brake solenoid" only turns the brake lamps on, that's it (if equipped with ezgo factory light kit, otherwise it doesn't even have one). Brake solenoid is a BS unicorn for people who don't fully understand a Rxv & hope the local auto parts store has a $6 fix for their cart (good luck finding the 24v "brake solenoid" at the auto parts store that only activates the brake lamps anyway). The only failure prone solenoid on a Rxv was long gone before the '13 model year anyway. The '13 Rxv would be a "Curtis cart" with a Curtis controller and a trombetta main solenoid (not the bad one).

BobBoyce

Yes, from his description it sounds like the motor brake itself, but a diagnosis with a programmer would be more specific. I hope he's close enough that I can assist before tonight so his kids halloween is not affected. I have a Dr appointment in N. Georgia early today for blood work but will be available after. I also have those 24V brake relays in case he needs one for a brake light issue. As you know, I'm not in the golf cart business, but I have been carrying my programmer and spare parts with me as I've been travelling the eastern US for the past 2 weeks.

Bob

kgsc

I'm with you Bob, my truck pretty much is a rolling parts bin right now. I think there are 2 good used motor brakes in it right now.

And cg, just as a piece of information. Napa has a 24 volt relay LIT1924. I found it when I was working on my automatic charger build that I haven't done yet

av8erdunn

WOW!! I really appreciate the offer but I am in Mobile AL. I am hoping I can at least talk the dealer into scanning it for me but I bet he will want to charge me for it. I wouldnt mind paying but I just bought it 8 weeks ago.

You say "Totally sounds like a motor brake failure, if the cart jumps forward & backward but won't drive." It will drive for maybe 100yds depending on how fast you go but then it slows to a crawl and wants to stop on its own. Is that indicative of a motor brake failure? What causes motor brakes to go bad?

Thanks for all of yall's help.

BobBoyce

The motor brake is applied by springs, and engages an electromagnetic coil to release those spring applied brakes, very similar to air brakes on a semi-truck. The coils go bad, heat up, or short out. The brake disk can wear out or rust/stick to the plate. The controller output or wiring that feeds power to the brake can malfunction. Motor brake malfunction is the most common RXV problem.

I'm not sure how far Mobile AL is, will consult my GPS after I get out of the doctors office. I drive an AC drive EV with onboard genset, so my driving cost is low. I have been all over the eastern US for the past few weeks. If you send me a PM (private message) with your phone number, I can call you after I check my GPS. As I mentioned before, I am not in the golf cart business, but I am extremely experienced with the RXV drive systems and am an OEM for electric vehicle design.

Bob

av8erdunn

Bob,

Thanks for your reply. Ah, now that you explain it it's clear as to why this makes sense. I am waiting to see if the guy at my dealer has parts in hand and if so I would hope he would scan it for me. As far as Mobile AL goes, I am as far south as you can go in Alabama but this isn't a big big deal if we have to walk. I really appreciate the offer though. I will let y'all know what I find out.

Jeremy