lifted club cars - lifted ezgo
Home FAQDonate Who's Online
Go Back   Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum > Golf Cart Repair and Troubleshooting > Electric EZGO
Electric EZGO Electric EZ GO Marathon, Medalist, TXT and RXV.



Post New Thread  Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-07-2013, 06:51 PM   #1
BillieS
Not Yet Wild
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 73
Default 36v cart not running

My dad was backing his cart out the other day and then put it in forward and he said something made a loud noise and a smell came from the cart and the cart stopped moving. I looked at it this evening and I noticed the death smell of electronics. Further investigation found the smell coming from the controller. I pulled the bottom off the controller and water came out with even more smell. I checked all the voltages through the system and they appear to be good. Just not coming from the controller. The batteries are brand new, replaced last fall. My question is:

Should there be anything else I need to look for to make sure something else caused the controller to blow? I did notice that the selector switch bolt was getting hot and was discolored. It has been many years since I have worked on these things. So I want to make sure I am right. Any help would be appreciated.
BillieS is offline   Reply With Quote
Alt Today
BGW

Golf car forum Sponsored Links

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum
   
Old 04-07-2013, 08:48 PM   #2
subby44
Gone Wild
Club Car
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: The hills of WV...
Posts: 330
Default Re: 36v cart not running

Billies... I am not great on these carts either... I know enough to be dangerous... I do know that there are a lot of people on this site that know what they are talking about. The first thing they are going to want is. what yr make model of cart.. also, how did water get inside the control box? i am sure if you provide this info... you will get the help you are looking for.. good luck!!
subby44 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2013, 03:24 AM   #3
BillieS
Not Yet Wild
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 73
Default Re: 36v cart not running

Right now all I know is it is a EZGO with new batteries. I could not find the serial number. I am sure the water got in the box by setting over the winter outside with no cover. The controller sets right at the edge of the seat.
BillieS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2013, 07:15 AM   #4
JohnnieB
Techno-Nerd
 
JohnnieB's Avatar
E-Z-GO
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 19,654
Default Re: 36v cart not running

EZGO made a lot of different types of carts over the years, so we need to narrow it down a bit to troubleshoot.

Take a look at the pictures on this website to narrow it down to a body style: http://www.shopezgo.com/customer-ser...ialNumber.html

And with the attached guide, you should be able to narrow it down which drive system. (Series, DCS or PDS)
Attached Images
File Type: jpg ezgoguide.jpg (78.0 KB, 0 views)
JohnnieB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2013, 09:24 AM   #5
BillieS
Not Yet Wild
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 73
Default Re: 36v cart not running

It is definetly the series drive system. It is the first controller, not the second one. The controller number is 1204-009. Ok I was able to find the serial number. The cart is a 1990 electric 4-wheel Marathon.
BillieS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2013, 10:29 AM   #6
JohnnieB
Techno-Nerd
 
JohnnieB's Avatar
E-Z-GO
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 19,654
Default Re: 36v cart not running

Water in the controller isn't a good sign, but the bolt on the F/R switch getting hot isn't either.

Connect your DVM between the B- and M- terminals on the controller.
With Key = ON and F/R = F or R, you should read FULL battery pack voltage when you pushes the pedal just far enough for the solenoid to click.

If you don't get it, the F/R switch probably isn't making contact.
If you do get it, the controller might be bad.
Here is a schematic with the high current circuit highlighted.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Pot Box cart with high current circuit traced.JPG (124.9 KB, 0 views)
JohnnieB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2013, 10:47 AM   #7
scottyb
Happy Carting
 
scottyb's Avatar
E-Z-GO
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 73,358
Default Re: 36v cart not running

You already know the controller is burnt up. Rebuilts are not a good investment unless you are just trying to off the cart on somebody else. many times an upgrade to an aftermarket control costs less than a stock replacement. The solenoid has to be upgraded to match. By the time we can see heat damage to the F&R it is usually in need of replacement. The housing which holds the contacts in alignment gets hot and the contact lugs sink in the housing causing no or worse contact which results in arcing and more heat etc.

It sounds like you Dad needs an controller & solenoid upgrade. New cables and HD F&R switch to make his cart reliable again.
scottyb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2013, 11:29 AM   #8
BillieS
Not Yet Wild
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 73
Default Re: 36v cart not running

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnieB View Post
Water in the controller isn't a good sign, but the bolt on the F/R switch getting hot isn't either.

Connect your DVM between the B- and M- terminals on the controller.
With Key = ON and F/R = F or R, you should read FULL battery pack voltage when you pushes the pedal just far enough for the solenoid to click.

If you don't get it, the F/R switch probably isn't making contact.
If you do get it, the controller might be bad.
Here is a schematic with the high current circuit highlighted.
Yep, did that. That is how I figured it was the controller. You can even hear the solenoid click. I also checked to see of the voltage followed through the solenoid first after I heard it click. I am concerned about the selector switch bolts getting discolored. This could be a sign of not making full contact, though there appears to be no arcing on the contacts of the bolts.
BillieS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2013, 11:41 AM   #9
BillieS
Not Yet Wild
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 73
Default Re: 36v cart not running

Quote:
Originally Posted by scottyb View Post
You already know the controller is burnt up. Rebuilts are not a good investment unless you are just trying to off the cart on somebody else. many times an upgrade to an aftermarket control costs less than a stock replacement. The solenoid has to be upgraded to match. By the time we can see heat damage to the F&R it is usually in need of replacement. The housing which holds the contacts in alignment gets hot and the contact lugs sink in the housing causing no or worse contact which results in arcing and more heat etc.

It sounds like you Dad needs an controller & solenoid upgrade. New cables and HD F&R switch to make his cart reliable again.
Why would I have to upgrade the solenoid? I could understand replacing the F/R switch if the housing is melted. I will have to look at that again. But the solenoid replacement has me puzzled.
BillieS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2013, 11:56 AM   #10
sdc19982002
Not Yet Wild
E-Z-GO
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Wills Point,TX
Posts: 48
Default Re: 36v cart not running

Quote:
Originally Posted by BillieS View Post
Why would I have to upgrade the solenoid? I could understand replacing the F/R switch if the housing is melted. I will have to look at that again. But the solenoid replacement has me puzzled.
If you udgrade the controller you would also have to upgrade the solenoid to handle the higher amperage.
sdc19982002 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply
Go Back   Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum > Golf Cart Repair and Troubleshooting > Electric EZGO


Thread Tools
Display Modes


Similar Threads
Thread Forum
Cart keeps running after let off gas Gas Club Car
WTB non running gas cart Golf Carts and Parts
My non running cart Gas Club Car
can someone help with cart running on its own Electric EZGO
My cart running Videos


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:44 AM.


Club Car Electric | EZGO Electric | Lifted Golf Carts | Gas EZGO | Used Golf Carts and Parts

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This Website and forum is the property of Buggiesgonewild.com. No material may be taken or duplicated in part or full without prior written consent of the owners of buggiesgonewild.com. © 2006-2017 Buggiesgonewild.com. All rights reserved.