headlights quit working 99 DS

Lainiest · 06-01-2022, 09:36 PM

I helped a friend put new batteries in her 48V 1999 DS. The headlights turned on for a second, then popped, and now they no longer work. There was water inside the light housing. I changed the bulbs because they were blown. The fuse between the switch and the lights looks fine. The rocker switch no longer lights up.

Could this be more than just a rocker switch issue? The electrical components under the seat are so filthy that it is difficult to see what is what. I own a newer precedent and these carts are not alike.

The DS has no tow-run switch, is that normal? Should I attempts to clean the electrical components under the seat?

Thanks in advance!

Volt_Ampere · 06-01-2022, 10:12 PM

Most likely you wired them wrong and the bulbs are all getting way too much voltage which will fry them instantly. Normally, they run them across two batteries with a 16V to 12V reducer if you have 8V batteries. Measure the voltage at the bulb sockets.

cjpenny89 · 06-02-2022, 07:29 AM

I second that if you turned them on and they popped that usually happens from over voltage. Always Always take a picture of the wires on your cart before you start it will save you lots of time.

Volt_Ampere · 06-02-2022, 08:27 AM

For carts running off of two batteries, it's easy to put the light power wire on the wrong terminal when you install new batteries. This can put too much voltage to the lights and this will instantly blow all of the bulbs. I hate this setup and I recommend going with a 48V to 12V reducer!

cjpenny89 · 06-02-2022, 08:41 AM

Volt_Ampere I totally agree with you I deal with this fixing golf carts at the campground all the time but no one wants to listen. I tend to use just 1 8 volt battery it lights up dim but it wont burn the lights up. I have seen people use there lights all the time and wreck the batteries they have the lights hooked to. so much better to go to a 48v to 12v reducer.

Lainiest · 06-02-2022, 10:47 AM

To install the reducer..... is that the same as a step-down transformer?

I will heed your advice and install one, but first I want to confirm that I would be hooking the reducer to the main negative and main positive terminals.

Thank you for helping!

cjpenny89 · 06-02-2022, 11:15 AM

yes that is correct 48v in 12v out.

_ogre · 06-03-2022, 02:56 PM

I've had my lights hooked up on 2 batteries for ten years without a problem
I will say that I rarely use my lights, if you use them often go with the reducer

06-01-2022, 09:36 PM	#1
Lainiest Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 26	headlights quit working 99 DS I helped a friend put new batteries in her 48V 1999 DS. The headlights turned on for a second, then popped, and now they no longer work. There was water inside the light housing. I changed the bulbs because they were blown. The fuse between the switch and the lights looks fine. The rocker switch no longer lights up. Could this be more than just a rocker switch issue? The electrical components under the seat are so filthy that it is difficult to see what is what. I own a newer precedent and these carts are not alike. The DS has no tow-run switch, is that normal? Should I attempts to clean the electrical components under the seat? Thanks in advance!
Lainiest Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 26

06-01-2022, 10:12 PM	#2
Volt_Ampere Gone Wild Join Date: May 2012 Location: Rio Verde, Az Posts: 7,193	Re: headlights quit working 99 DS Most likely you wired them wrong and the bulbs are all getting way too much voltage which will fry them instantly. Normally, they run them across two batteries with a 16V to 12V reducer if you have 8V batteries. Measure the voltage at the bulb sockets.

06-02-2022, 07:29 AM	#3
cjpenny89 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 407	Re: headlights quit working 99 DS I second that if you turned them on and they popped that usually happens from over voltage. Always Always take a picture of the wires on your cart before you start it will save you lots of time.
cjpenny89 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 407

06-02-2022, 08:27 AM	#4
Volt_Ampere Gone Wild Join Date: May 2012 Location: Rio Verde, Az Posts: 7,193	Re: headlights quit working 99 DS For carts running off of two batteries, it's easy to put the light power wire on the wrong terminal when you install new batteries. This can put too much voltage to the lights and this will instantly blow all of the bulbs. I hate this setup and I recommend going with a 48V to 12V reducer!

06-02-2022, 08:41 AM	#5
cjpenny89 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 407	Re: headlights quit working 99 DS Volt_Ampere I totally agree with you I deal with this fixing golf carts at the campground all the time but no one wants to listen. I tend to use just 1 8 volt battery it lights up dim but it wont burn the lights up. I have seen people use there lights all the time and wreck the batteries they have the lights hooked to. so much better to go to a 48v to 12v reducer.
cjpenny89 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 407

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06-02-2022, 10:47 AM	#6
Lainiest Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 26	Re: headlights quit working 99 DS To install the reducer..... is that the same as a step-down transformer? I will heed your advice and install one, but first I want to confirm that I would be hooking the reducer to the main negative and main positive terminals. Thank you for helping!
Lainiest Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 26

06-02-2022, 11:15 AM	#7
cjpenny89 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 407	Re: headlights quit working 99 DS yes that is correct 48v in 12v out.
cjpenny89 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 407

06-03-2022, 02:56 PM	#8
_ogre Golf Cart? oops 😉 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Motown Posts: 583	Re: headlights quit working 99 DS I've had my lights hooked up on 2 batteries for ten years without a problem I will say that I rarely use my lights, if you use them often go with the reducer

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