starter won't engage but has 12v.

Andy3728

I'm troubleshooting a gas club car for a friend and I'm having trouble with it. I've worked on all sorts of small engines but no golf carts.

I turn the ignition switch on and press the gas pedal and there is a click from the solenoid, verified by holding my fingers on the side of solenoid and feeling for it. I've read several threads on here and have seen where the micro switches clicking could be confused for the solenoid clicking.

I've tested the connections with my volt meter and here are my findings:


pedal not pressed, ignition/key off

Big Red wire: 12V

Big White wire: 1.2V

Little Orange wire: 0V

Little Blue wire: 0V

Starter: 1.2V



pedal not pressed, ignition/key on

Big Red wire: 12V

Big White wire: 1.2V

Little Orange wire: 12V

Little Blue wire: 12V

Starter: 1.2



pedal pressed, ignition/key on

Big Red wire: 11.5V

Big White wire: 11.5V

Little Orange wire: 0V

Little Blue wire: 11.5V

Starter: 11.5V



Even with the key turned off, the starter has 1.2V feeding it. Is it possible for the solenoid to "leak" voltage? This maybe burned up the starter?

Jumping the solenoid gives me the same Voltage readings as does pressing the gas pedal down. The voltage at the starter with the solenoid engaged with the pedal and by jumping it and get 12V.

This has me thinking the starter/generator is bad. I am hoping someone can confirm this or give me some more places to check. If the starter is getting fire, it should turn over.

Thanks in advance for any and all .

BGW

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Andy3728

Also, this is a 2001 model.

serial no. is AG0135-061330 for those who can decode it to tell what engine and such if possible.

crash12888

Welcome Andy,
Make sure your battery is good, it might read 12v but no stored amps for cranking. Have you had it properly load tested?
Check the cables for bad ends or corrosion, ground cables and straps as well. A highly corroded cable will give a reading of 12V but will not transfer the amps needed to the starter.
Can you turn the motor by hand?, make sure nothing is locked up.
Pull the belt off and try it.
After all of this check the brushes in the S/G. Mitch

Andy3728

I have not had the battery load tested but the headlights shine very bright. The battery has bolts that attach the terminals to it. Not a post type. But the connections look clean. I'll double check the terminals and connections and take the battery to the parts store to have it tested. I haven't turned the engine by hand. I'll try all that later this week if possible. It may be next Saturday before I have time though. I'll post my finds then. Thanks for the help.

Andy3728

Crash12888, notice that the starter has 1.2V on it even when the ignition switch is off. I don't think this is normal. I'm thinking it should be 0V. So even if the S/G is bad, I want to make sure this is resolved as well to make sure it doesn't damage the new S/G.

Radicalgolfcarts

Pop your caps off of the s/g and chech your starter brushes! The brushes are very comon part to go bad.

Andy3728

Thanks Radical, can the brushes be removed with the S/G in place or must I remove the S/G? And what about the 1.2V that is on the starter all the time? Is that normal?

Radicalgolfcarts

Its really easy to take the s/g... as for the voltage @1.2v I can't give you an honest answer for that.

Andy3728

Alright Radical, I'll try that. Maybe someone with a similar model will chime in and take a reading on their starter to compare. Thanks

4vertical

I just went out and checked my 98. with key on I get battery voltage to the other 3 terminals on selinoid. The fourth white wire(one that goes to starter) i have nothing till pedal is pressed.

I hope that helps.

maybe try disconnecting the yellow wire on the s/g and testing that way. maybe it is getting feedback from the voltage regulator?

you will have to remove s/g to get at brushes. you might be able to take it to a reputable auto shop that rebuilds alternators and starters. I have had mine checked out by the local guy. The autozone will probably have no clue how to test one

-Aaron