Some beginner's questions, please

gallymon

I've got a 1998 Electric 36V EZ-GO cart. Serial # 1097514, Manuf # F398.

Recently, it has started going forward only regardless of whether or not the F/B switch is F or B. And it also seems to have about half its normal power.

I'd like to get the electrical schematic for my cart so I can see if I can sort this situation out. And that brings me to my beginner's questions.

I've had a look around on this site and I'm seeing a lot of diagrams and a lot of terminology I don't understand.

For example, has someone here written a piece for newbies explaining what the following terms mean and how to know if they apply to your cart? "PDS", "DCS", "non-DCS" and "Resistor Cart"?

Is there a place where I can look up my cart's year, manufacturer # and serial # and noodle out some of this stuff for myself?

On most pieces of equipment that I depend on, I buy the official shop manual that breaks everything down. Can I find that on this site or can I find information about where I can obtain one?

Sorry for all the newbie questions.

Cheers and thanks in advance for any help getting oriented here,

BGW

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dock98

welcome to the forums gallymon.
an electric EZ-Go expert should be with you soon.

hotmomma

Welcome! Good Luck!

pggroves

Greetings and salutations:

Your 1998 cart is either a TXT with a series wound system or a DCS which stands for "Drive Control System". EZGO's first generation regenerative braking system. You can tell what you have by checking to see if you have a Run/Tow Maint switch on the controller environmental cover. If yes, you have a DCS. That's what I'm guessing you have since the symptoms you describe sound just like many similar problems with DCS carts. The Reverse is handled by the controller and it sounds like your controller is going out. Check with any of the site sponsors and they can get you a service manual as well as any parts you may require to get your cart back on the road. I think there is even a wiring diagram in the Sticky's at the top of the EZGO Electric page.

Good luck!

gallymon

Thanks, Steeplejack. it is a DCS because I do have a run/tow switch. I'll be bummed if it is the controller. I was hoping it was going to be in the F/B switch and be something I could test out and repair myself. Any idea what a controller goes for approximately on one of these?

gallymon

All,

I have some more information on my problem. If you'll recall, my cart goes forward regardless of whether or not the F/B is in F or B. And, it also seems to run on about half power.

First thing I did was to disconnect the two Fwd and Bck micro switches and test them. They both work.

Then I printed off the "Testing Procedures for DCS Controlled Machines" document and went through the steps. The long and the short of these tests is that everything seems correct. Where ever the document says I should have voltage, I do and of the right amount.

Earlier in this thread, Steeplejack said the reverse is handled by the controller and these symptoms probably indicate that my controller's going out.

Are there any further tests I can do to 'prove' that the controller is bad? I'd like to know I have a lock on the problem before I spend the bucks for a new or rebuilt controller.

Any testing suggestions would be much appreciated.

gallymon

Another question, if I may? I'm looking on EBay for "EZ-GO DCS Controllers" and I see a lot of different stuff. What's the identifying parts number of whatever of a stock controller so that I can buy a 1:1 replacement. I don't care about high performance - I just want it to run.

Thanks!

Flintrock

SteepleJack, any pointers???

pggroves

I have a troubleshooting guide for the DCS system. Need an email to send along. Be patient as I am in the boonies and net access is limited and I probably won't be online again until tonight!

Ah, yes, my days of steeplejacking are definitely behind me, but **** if it wasn't a hoot when I was climbing!

gallymon

Steeplejack, could you send the troubleshooting guide along to dennis at galron dot com ?

And in your E-Mail, can you put "EZ-GO" in the title in caps?

I get a ton of spam and since your E-Mail will be coming at me from a new E-Mail address, I'll need a way to pick it out from the zillion spams it'll be mixed up within.

Thanks!