Jumping

[skycowboy]

I have a 89 club car that I just picked up. The previous owner sad the cart kept getting slower and slower and then died. He said every couple of days it would run for a little while and then die again. The charger he had didn't work. So he couldn't recharge it.

When I got it home I put the charger on it for 10 hours and nothing. So I changed the batteries cleaned the wires and put the charger on it and I am waiting to see it anything happens, If nothing still happens I figured the next step would be to jump the solenoid. It only has one that I can see in the middle of the battery compartment. Do I jump the Big bolt on one side to the Big bolt on the other side. What size wire should I use and do I attach the wire or just touch it to the other side to see if something happens. My thought was you just stepped on the gas and touch the wire to see if it moved. Any help would be appreciated

[OLD MEC]

First of all you need to find out what condition your batterys are in. From what you said "cart kept getting slower and slower and then died" could mean bad batterys and or no distilled water in cells, or yes possibly a charger problem? Do you have either a digital volt meter or a hydrometer to test each battery and then whole pack voltage? If so refer to STICKIES under heading "State Of Charge Readings" to confirm condition. You said "I put the charger on it for 10 hours and nothing" do you mean charger didnt work ( no amp reading ) or amp meter showed ( amp reading ) charge but nothing worked afterwards? This could mean bad connections on batterys or other problems?
You need to find out if you have battery power before doing any jumping or testing. Like a auto that is out of gas and you are testing the carb for problems?

[scottyb]

Put at least one wheel up in the air ~ Both is better. With the key off bolt a battery cable across the 2 large terminals. Then test it