98 Ezgo crazy electrical problems.

[MDM Small Engine]

Have a 98 36v Ezgo that is going into thermal cutback after 15-20 mins. Noticed the cheep led battery gauge is on very dim with key off so I am thinking it's back feeding somewhere. Checked from battery to frame and it's reading about 20-24 volts. Not sure where to start trying to figure this mess out. Stock controller and stock motor but goes 22-24 mph how i have no clue! Been in 2 golf carts shops and still no clue whats going on. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[JohnnieB]

Sounds like you have several issues, possibly unrelated.

If the cart will do 20-24 MPH with a stock controller and stock motor, it has to have very tall tires or very long gears and that is the root cause of the thermal cutback issues.

Which drive system? A 98 would be either a series drive or a DCS.

Measuring a voltage on the frame is a fairly common phenomena when a DVM is used. They have a very high input impedance (a megohm or more) and will measure voltage when it hardly exists. Connect a 10kΩ or 20kΩ resistor between your test leads at the meter and the voltage will magically disappear.

Cleaning the battery tops with a baking soda solution will probably get rid of the dim glow of the battery meter with the key off.

[BlueChez1]

My 36V DCS was grounded to the frame which caused me a bunch of issues also. If there is a battery cable that goes from the frame to one of the battery negatives it should not be there.