1984 EZ-GO Electric backs up by itself

[Argus]

Hi everyone. I just got a 1984 EZ-GO (resistor drive 36v) cart. It's a little rusty and will definitely need some new batteries, but it was free so I can't complain too much.

I have managed to get enough of a charge into the batteries that I can drive it a little. One strange behavior I've noticed is that when I put the F/R switch into "Reverse", the cart starts moving back on its own. In "Forward" it behaves normally (does not move unless I step on the accelerator pedal).

From a bit of reading, it seems that some things to look at are micro switches and the wiper switch. I don't think it's the solenoid since it only occurs in reverse, but maybe I'm wrong on that. Any ideas on what I can do to isolate exactly which component(s) is the problem, or any other things to look at? I'm not sure how to test the various switches (or even where they are), so any advice on that would be great.

Any help would be most appreciated.

[yurtle]

Have you downloaded the wiring diagram from the Stickies?

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...rt-wiring.html

and maybe

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...g-manuals.html

[Argus]

Thanks, I did look at the schematics, which helped a lot in understanding conceptually how the thing is supposed to work. I wasn't able to find a manual unfortunately (looks like the link for the older model manuals is dead).

Based on everyone's experience, is any one particular part more likely to be the culprit? Also, any advice on exactly how to test the different components would be great.

[pattyandrick]

Wiper sticking should act the same forward, too. Give a push forward see if it goes easy. Had same problem with mine it drained new batteries just sitting there.

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[Argus]

Thanks. I tried again today. When I put it in Forward (without touching the pedal), the cart kind of bumped forward like it wanted to go, but didn’t actually start moving like it did in reverse. Maybe I’ve just got it parked on a slight uphill or something. Tomorrow I’ll try with it up on blocks and see what the wheels do, but at this point I guess it seems like it is trying to move forward on its own too. Sounds like I should start by looking at the wiper. What should I look for in regards to that switch? Thanks again for the help.

Originally Posted by pattyandrick

Wiper sticking should act the same forward, too. Give a push forward see if it goes easy. Had same problem with mine it drained new batteries just sitting there.

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[Mooncarter]

When you go from N to reverse or N to forward does the solenoid click?

If not the solenoid is stuck, or something is making it stick.

[pattyandrick]

This is mine, five contacts and fat wires

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[Argus]

Thanks everyone. As it turns out it was the simplest issue; the pedal just wasn't returning all the way up, so it was hitting the second contact on the wiper board. I cleaned it up and put a bit of grease on the linkage, and it seems to be working better now. It was moving only in reverse because the cart was on a very slight uphill and the batteries were weak; that's what threw me off initially. When I jacked up the rear of the vehicle, the wheels would spin in both directions when placed into gear. That was when I noticed that I could pull up on the pedal and it would stop.

I may yet get this old rust bucket working. Thanks again!