Wiring on GS16 Gas Model

[MartinaKi]

I am completely new to this. I recently lost my husband, and he used to be the golf cart specialist.
Due to him getting sick and pass, our golf cart was standing outside for over a year and is therefore I’m not so good shape. The last time he had worked on it, he had disassembled the battery connection.
Aside from the regular plus and minus battery terminals, there were also smaller wires with crimp connectors, I assume from the head and backlights he had added to the cart.
There are two of these wires coming from the front of the cart and two from the back.
I went out on a limb and connected the one from the front to the plus pole of the battery and the one from the back to the minus pole.
The effect was that the back lights went on, I I was not able to turn them off via the light switch. I had to disconnect the wires again to get the backlights to turn off.
Since I don’t really know if all these cables are from the lights, I was wondering what other wiring is usually connected to the battery terminals.
Could I just leave all the extra wires off?
My main goal is to get the cart started again so I can move it in my garage to work on it.
I really don’t have the money to bring it to the shop, and I am a quick learner and usually pretty handy.
It doesn’t start right now, despite the new battery I put in, and I assume it needs a new solenoid because it’s not clicking when I push the gas pedal. Before I buy a new solenoid, I just wanted to make sure the non starting problem has to do with these extra wires. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I have a 1998 Yamaha G16 gas model. Serial number starts with JN6.

[smallblock450sl]

Sorry for your loss. Do you have family a friend or neighbor that would help push the car into the garage ? If you put the shifter lever 1/2 way between forward and reverse, they push pretty easy. There is a "sticky" above in this section "so your Yamaha won't turn over". You will need to have a volt meter and know how to use it. Good luck !

[crash12888]

Welcome to the Asylum!!!
Where are you located? General area, The reason I ask is sometimes you will fine yourself right down the road from a member who could possibly help.
Need a couple of more posts to post pictures but that would help in getting you headed in the right direction.
Also need to get some things tested (key switch, micro switch) before you throw any money at parts.
If you don't have one, next time you are out stop by some place like Harbor Freight or the like and pick up a volt/ohm meter to help with diagnoses.

[MartinaKi]

Thanks for the reply. I live in Cape Coral Florida. I did buy a multimeter and just reading up on how to use it. It would be great, if I could find some local guidance.