cart creeps f/r with key off

[mcmike]

Hi to all, glad to be here and this is my first post.
Purchased a 1990...A9019ser.# club car 36v cart for my wife about 2-3 month ago. Nice shape....I think.... batteries less than 6 month old. About one month in I came out one morning and the batteries were dead. I have solar cells in my cabin up north and I know how bad this is.
This is my first cart and this is what I see. Cart will move in F and R with key on and key off or out.
When I move the FNR switch there is a sizzling sound from N to f and N to R. There is also the dreaded smell of burnt insulation. In N there is no sound or movement or smell. I have read about this here but none of my year and wondered what difference in different years. I have since realized the cart must be in neutral at all times when sitting. But this is not a fix
Please any and all help is deeply appreciated.
PS we have only one car so I am SOL till cart rides again
MCmike

[Sergio]

Replace the solenoid, the contacts are welded.

[mcmike]

ok I will
But what caused it to fail, IYHO and I have read about checking the pedal linkage
to make sure it is returning all the way. is this necessary.
thanks for the quick response.

[Sergio]

Both the key switch and the micro-switch inside the pedal assembly would have to fail to cause the cart to run with the key OFF.

Also, failing closed is not a common fail mode for switches, usually they fail open.

The most likely cause for your symptoms is a welded solenoid.

I am assuming this is a resistor cart, those carts always have some current flowing through the solenoid when it opens, so they tend to wear the contacts.

Also, never change directions with the foot on the pedal or the solenoid will definitely open and close under load.

The controller based carts stop all current flow before dis-engaging the solenoid.

[mcmike]

one last thing. the pedal does not work when the key is off or out, it just "creeps" forward or back.
Sorry if that is obvious but I am new to this and am afraid of taking anything for granted
Again many thanks
MCmike

[Sergio]

Originally Posted by mcmike

one last thing. the pedal does not work when the key is off or out, it just "creeps" forward or back.
Sorry if that is obvious but I am new to this and am afraid of taking anything for granted
Again many thanks
MCmike

Are You saying the cart is not working at all, key ON or OFF?

If the cart is working, what does it happen when you press the pedal and the key Switch is OFF?

[mcmike]

sorry I am unclear here we go
pedal has no effect with key off, in gear out of gear or in neutral.
pedal works as it should when key is on and cart is in F or R
all problems occur with cart in F or R and pedal NOT depressed.
again sorry for not being clear
ordered solenoid will be here in 3 to 4 days
thanks again for all your time
MCmike

[HarryT]

Are you saying you only have solar power? If you have 120 V coming to your cabin, are you sure your batteries are fully charged? Low voltage and trying to make the cart move will overheat all contacts and smoke.
Harry

[mcmike]

no
sorry for the confusion
the cart is in FL my cabin is in NY state
I have full power in FL

[HarryT]

Have you tested the voltage of each battery and the whole pack?
Harry