Troubleshooting Help Needed-2009 RXV

[Furley11]

2009 EZGO RXV 48V (4x12) Electric

I just bought this cart from a cart dealer a few weeks ago. I have only driven it around the neighborhood a few times. In fact, the power gauge has not dipped below 95+ %. The batteries are brand new Trojans. A few days ago, I took it for a spin with only two of us and could smell a faint electrical burning smell. There was no smoke, and I couldn’t tell where the smell was originating. Today, I tried to take it out again with just two small kids and experienced the same smell. Again, no smoke, and I couldn’t place the smell. I ran my infra-thermo over the parts and there was nothing terribly hot. The motor was around 100F, but that was it.

I let it sit a while and then tried to pull it into the garage. When I tried to put in in “F”, it did a quick slight thrust in reverse, then the back up alarm beeped repeatedly in short tones. It wouldn’t go, only beep no matter if I was in “R”, “N”, or “F”. I flipped the tow switch back and forth. I turned the ignition switch off and on. It still did the same thing. I finally put it in “tow” and pushed it into the garage. I plugged in the charger to see if it would maybe reset the controller or something, but to no avail.

I rebuilt a 2001 model years ago, so I know my way around these things. But, this newer technology has me more reluctant to just start pulling covers and trying to test amperage and voltage.

Any ideas?

[yurtle]

Originally Posted by Furley11

2009 EZGO RXV 48V (4x12) Electric

I just bought this cart from a cart dealer a few weeks ago. I have only driven it around the neighborhood a few times. In fact, the power gauge has not dipped below 95+ %. The batteries are brand new Trojans. A few days ago, I took it for a spin with only two of us and could smell a faint electrical burning smell. There was no smoke, and I couldn’t tell where the smell was originating. Today, I tried to take it out again with just two small kids and experienced the same smell. Again, no smoke, and I couldn’t place the smell. I ran my infra-thermo over the parts and there was nothing terribly hot. The motor was around 100F, but that was it.

I let it sit a while and then tried to pull it into the garage. When I tried to put in in “F”, it did a quick slight thrust in reverse, then the back up alarm beeped repeatedly in short tones. It wouldn’t go, only beep no matter if I was in “R”, “N”, or “F”. I flipped the tow switch back and forth. I turned the ignition switch off and on. It still did the same thing. I finally put it in “tow” and pushed it into the garage. I plugged in the charger to see if it would maybe reset the controller or something, but to no avail.

I rebuilt a 2001 model years ago, so I know my way around these things. But, this newer technology has me more reluctant to just start pulling covers and trying to test amperage and voltage.

Any ideas?

I can't help any on specifics of your problem, but maybe where to look? Can you distinguish between electrical and electronic smells? Fried silicone chips, resistors, capacitors, flux, etc., or does it smell like rubber or equivalent = electrical? Which do you smell?

[Furley11]

Originally Posted by yurtle

I can't help any on specifics of your problem, but maybe where to look? Can you distinguish between electrical and electronic smells? Fried silicone chips, resistors, capacitors, flux, etc., or does it smell like rubber or equivalent = electrical? Which do you smell?

I guess it was brake smell, not electrical. It all makes sense now.

[rngilliland]

Originally Posted by Furley11

I guess it was brake smell, not electrical. It all makes sense now.

A dragging brake smells like burning electrics. I don't know what they use to make the brake disc but even a new one smells bad. To me the key to installing a brake is be sure the run/tow switch is in tow when you tighten the bolts and tighten the bolts evenly to 50 in/lbs. If you don't have a torque wrench only tighten them until the lock washers are compressed.

[yurtle]

Originally Posted by Furley11

I guess it was brake smell, not electrical. It all makes sense now.

Glad cgtech figured out your "electrical burning smell".

[cgtech]

Motor brake failure, seen this too many times. Only use the OEM "standard duty" brake. Not the OEM HD brake, and run from any aftermarket brake. Danaher controller doesn't play nice with any others. The OEM will come in a "Pro-fit" label, that's what Ezgo does now.

Here's a thread I wrote about this topic.

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...xv-brakes.html

[Furley11]

The service department at the dealer from where I bought it zeroed in on the motor brake too. He offered to give me one to replace and said it was a fairly easy thing to do. I guess I will be looking for instructions herein.

Thanks for the quick response.

[Furley11]

Replaced the motor brake with no issues. Now, let’s see how long it lasts. Is there any value in the old one? Is it worth rebuilding?