No go EZ-GO

Nor_exp · 12-14-2011, 12:55 AM

Great site, Thanks in advance for any/all direction. I am very new to this electric cart thing so please bear with me. I have a 1998 EZ-GO Electric 36V. The cart sat in the garage for a couple of months without any use. I charged the batteries in hopes to use it around the yard. When charged, I got in to use the cart and drove approx. 40 ft and it stopped (almost as if the batteries were drained). When the foot feet was pressed the cart would start to move then disengage and a low muffled rumble (whir) would occur. I pushed the cart back into the garage and back onto the charger. After some additional charging, I pressed the foot feet down and a clicking sound would occur, but no cart movement. I had a new solenoid on hand so I replaced the solenoid and the cart moved again. This time only a couple of feet and then the same sound as described above. I tried re-charging one more time with the same result. When the foot feet is pressed slightly the cart moves forward like it should, when the foot feet in fully depressed it seems to disengage. Not sure if I should pull batts. and check all wiring or focus more on the controller. I appologize for the length of this post and would appreciate any feedback.

rib33024 · 12-14-2011, 01:50 AM

Welcome to BGW!

When doing this, MAKE SURE that the cart can not run off on you, Safety first

The situation you describe leads me to believe that you stripped the splines of a brake drum/hub (a known weak spot in the drivetrain), probably on the driver's side, but could be either one. Remove any hubcaps or hub dust shields, and when it does it again, check one of the axle castle nuts and see if it's spinning, (this is easier with two people) and the other side will remain stationary. The spinning side is the bad drum/hub.

scottyb · 12-14-2011, 09:36 AM

I would check the batteries first..... you can test them at a standstill and report the voltages here, and you can tape the DVM to the pack mains and try to drive, noting the drop in voltage.

Reason I say this is I have a cart I swore stripped a hub at the ranch this past summer, only to find a bad battery after pulling both hubs and the motor & input shaft!?

Nor_exp · 12-14-2011, 09:48 PM

Thank you for your responses. I will try the batteries first, once I am positive they are in good working order and fully charged I will move onto the drive of the cart. Still feel like I cannot rule out the controller though!

Nor_exp · 12-17-2011, 12:22 PM

O.K. Finally was able to check the batteries in the cart. Voltage ranged from 6.01 to 6.19. I will check the wires and the hub assembly today as earlier directed. Thanks again for any/all input.

Nor_exp · 12-18-2011, 11:07 PM

Finally got time to focus on the cart. After sitting for the night, I went out and re-checked the batteries (I had previously checked after disconnecting the charger). At this check, 5 Batteries were above 6V and one was at 4V and read BAD on the meter. I went down and purchased a new battery and replaced the failed battery, WOW! fixed, for now anyway. I will need to replace all at once soon, just wanted to see if this would work. Still completely perplexed as to the symptoms of this issue and the final result (my inexperience with these carts shines through).Thanks to those who have followed this thread and thanks to those who have contributed.

madoc1 · 12-19-2011, 02:44 PM

good to hear it is running. scotty knows his stuff. sounds like you are on your way to understanding carts. might go to his web site (cartsunlimited.com) and do some reading on battery levels and maintenance, especially the voltage vs. %of charge. such as 36.31 is only 50% charged.

and welcome to BGW!

Nor_exp · 12-19-2011, 10:29 PM

Thanks for the info Madoc1. On my way to cartsunlimited.com for a little battery education.

12-14-2011, 12:55 AM	#1
Nor_exp Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5	No go EZ-GO Great site, Thanks in advance for any/all direction. I am very new to this electric cart thing so please bear with me. I have a 1998 EZ-GO Electric 36V. The cart sat in the garage for a couple of months without any use. I charged the batteries in hopes to use it around the yard. When charged, I got in to use the cart and drove approx. 40 ft and it stopped (almost as if the batteries were drained). When the foot feet was pressed the cart would start to move then disengage and a low muffled rumble (whir) would occur. I pushed the cart back into the garage and back onto the charger. After some additional charging, I pressed the foot feet down and a clicking sound would occur, but no cart movement. I had a new solenoid on hand so I replaced the solenoid and the cart moved again. This time only a couple of feet and then the same sound as described above. I tried re-charging one more time with the same result. When the foot feet is pressed slightly the cart moves forward like it should, when the foot feet in fully depressed it seems to disengage. Not sure if I should pull batts. and check all wiring or focus more on the controller. I appologize for the length of this post and would appreciate any feedback.
Nor_exp Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5

12-14-2011, 01:50 AM	#2
rib33024 ...................... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FT Lauderdale FL. Posts: 16,416	Re: No go EZ-GO Welcome to BGW! When doing this, MAKE SURE that the cart can not run off on you, Safety first The situation you describe leads me to believe that you stripped the splines of a brake drum/hub (a known weak spot in the drivetrain), probably on the driver's side, but could be either one. Remove any hubcaps or hub dust shields, and when it does it again, check one of the axle castle nuts and see if it's spinning, (this is easier with two people) and the other side will remain stationary. The spinning side is the bad drum/hub.

12-14-2011, 09:36 AM	#3
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: No go EZ-GO I would check the batteries first..... you can test them at a standstill and report the voltages here, and you can tape the DVM to the pack mains and try to drive, noting the drop in voltage. Reason I say this is I have a cart I swore stripped a hub at the ranch this past summer, only to find a bad battery after pulling both hubs and the motor & input shaft!?

12-14-2011, 09:48 PM	#4
Nor_exp Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5	Re: No go EZ-GO Thank you for your responses. I will try the batteries first, once I am positive they are in good working order and fully charged I will move onto the drive of the cart. Still feel like I cannot rule out the controller though!
Nor_exp Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5

12-17-2011, 12:22 PM	#5
Nor_exp Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5	Re: No go EZ-GO O.K. Finally was able to check the batteries in the cart. Voltage ranged from 6.01 to 6.19. I will check the wires and the hub assembly today as earlier directed. Thanks again for any/all input.
Nor_exp Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5

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12-18-2011, 11:07 PM	#6
Nor_exp Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5	Re: No go EZ-GO Finally got time to focus on the cart. After sitting for the night, I went out and re-checked the batteries (I had previously checked after disconnecting the charger). At this check, 5 Batteries were above 6V and one was at 4V and read BAD on the meter. I went down and purchased a new battery and replaced the failed battery, WOW! fixed, for now anyway. I will need to replace all at once soon, just wanted to see if this would work. Still completely perplexed as to the symptoms of this issue and the final result (my inexperience with these carts shines through).Thanks to those who have followed this thread and thanks to those who have contributed.
Nor_exp Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5

12-19-2011, 02:44 PM	#7
madoc1 no clue Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: spicewood, texas Posts: 3,308	Re: No go EZ-GO good to hear it is running. scotty knows his stuff. sounds like you are on your way to understanding carts. might go to his web site (cartsunlimited.com) and do some reading on battery levels and maintenance, especially the voltage vs. %of charge. such as 36.31 is only 50% charged. and welcome to BGW!

12-19-2011, 10:29 PM	#8
Nor_exp Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5	Re: No go EZ-GO Thanks for the info Madoc1. On my way to cartsunlimited.com for a little battery education.
Nor_exp Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5