1996 DCS - No Reverse. DIODE?

[CTXBULL]

I just started on this 1996 DCS and with new batteries fully charged, put the F/R switch in R. No reverse buzzer sound. Pressed the pedal and cart started to move in reverse. There were a few items that needed to be moved to back out of the garage. Once all clear, tried to move in reverse and nothing. Put run/tow in tow mode and moved out. Placed switch to F and cart runs fine. Got a troubleshooting guide and started as it described. Did notice that there was a Diode? that linked from one side of the solenoid to the other that was VERY hot. Is this the reverse diode and it is like the culprit?
Thank you

[cgtech]

There is no "reverse diode". If the "thing" you are talking about is on the big terminals of the solenoid, its a "precharge resistor" to keep a little power in the controller. Its job is to keep the solenoid from having to energize a "completely empty" controller every time you step on the gas. These rarely fail (since it is hot, it is still allowing energy to pass through it). You say still runs in forward? Can it go more than a few inches forward under its own power? Is the solenoid still "clicking"?

[CTXBULL]

Yes the solenoid clicks in both forward and reverse. The cart runs fine forward, just nothing in reverse.

[JohnnieB]

There was a "Reverse Diode" as part of the F/R switch in early DCS carts, but if it is bad, the solenoid doesn't click in reverse.

Check for pack voltage on Pin-4 when F/R switch is in Reverse. That is what tells the controller to sound the beeper and send current through the field windings in the opposite direction to get the motor to spin in the other direction.


However, I think the controller defaults to Forward and if there isn't a voltage on Pin-4, it goes forward, so if the orange wire was not putting voltage on Pin-4 for some reason, the cart would simply go forward when the selector was in either F or R.

My guess is that the Reverse part of the controller died.

The good news is that a DCS cart with an Alltrax DCX400 in it is pretty wicked.

[scottyb]

The DCS control commonly fails in reverse.
The most common cause for failure is low voltage operation.

It is likely you are in need of a new control. This is a good opportunity to upgrade.

[vagabond]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

[I]]

The good news is that a DCS cart with an Alltrax DCX400 in it is pretty wicked.

OH YEAH

[CTXBULL]

OK.... frustrated with the DCS F/R issue. Can I run a Continuity test on the Reverse micro switch and tell us if this is the reason why the cart wont go in reverse? We have changed out the controller and same thing happening, forward but no reverse. Thanks to all for the help