2000 EZGO TXT loses power then stops

[animal1x]

2000 EZGO TXT with PDS and a Jakes lift kit. After running it for a while under load it will start to slow down and then stop completely but still seems to want to try to go. When I let off the pedal then it will stop trying to run. I can turn the key off and put the switch in the neutral position for a minute or so, turn it back on and it will take off and run again for a short while then slows and stops again.

I have lifted the seat and felt around the run/tow switch and it does feel hot to my hands. Have not removed the cover yet to look at anything under there.
No other wires that I can get to nor the battery connections feel warm. Batteries are only about a year old and always kept fully charged.

Looking some help on what direction to start?

[JohnnieB]

Sounds like you are trying to turn taller than stock height (18") tires with a stock controller, solenoid and cables.

Suspect controller is overheating and going into thermal cutback, followed by thermal shutdown.

Put PDS controller into diagnostic mode (Text at bottom attached label tells you how) and listen for the error codes when it slows or stops.

[animal1x]

JohnnyB, thank you. I do not hear a series of beeps when I put the cart in diagnostic mode. The reverse beeper likewise does not work. I bought the cart second had and the former owner has it set up for hunting and hauling and he likely disable the beeper so as to be quieter in the woods.

[cgtech]

Next step is reconnecting the reverse beeper, its behind the keyswitch/ dash area. Instructions on how to find it are all over this site. This sounds fun and all, but you will eventually come to the end of the road & need a better controller. A "rebuilt" stock controller wont solve anything, it was "just good enough" to play golf, and you are asking much more with your setup. Sorry, but your situation happens very frequently. Like every day here when stock parts are pushed too hard. Cheap cart deals are just that, "cheap".. Nothing new, that's how "cart flippers" make their living, selling carts with "not enough guts, but just enough to sell". Hey, "it works today" is fine for them. Dont feel bad for yourself, it's happened so many times, I cant count how many I've seen & fixed. Unfortunately, doing it right is never cheap (that's why they didnt do it before selling it).

Sorry I'm so brash with it, but it is the truth, you will find it to be so too.

[animal1x]

CGTech...No, I don't think you're too brash with it. Yep, I realize you "get what you pay for". And I have already been looking at other controllers. I have some front end and suspension issues that I am currently working on at the moment but I foresee an upgrade in controllers in the near future.

[animal1x]

After looking at a repair manual, it looks like I have to drill rivets and remove the entire dash panel just to try to get the reverse buzzer hooked back up and working. Then, to replace the controller with an upgraded one it is going to cost somewhere around 350 to 500 bucks. I'm not sure I'm going to put any more money into this thing. I could have bought a decent one for what I've already go into this one and it's still got major issues. So, anybody want a POS EZGO?

[cgtech]

You can jam your hand through the keyswitch panel hole to reach the wire to reconnect. Or I'm sure you know someone with small enough hands to fit.

[animal1x]

If I end up putting an upgraded controller and wires on this cart will I have to upgrade the motor also? If so, it isn't worth it to me...not with a 20 year old cart and looking at batteries 4 years or so on down the road.

[cgtech]

Nope, stock motor will be fine on 36 or 42 volts.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by animal1x

If I end up putting an upgraded controller and wires on this cart will I have to upgrade the motor also? If so, it isn't worth it to me...not with a 20 year old cart and looking at batteries 4 years or so on down the road.

If your cart has the axle mounted steering system, it is fundamentally the same frame, body, wheels and drive system as the TXT-48 carts being sold today, except being a 48V drive instead of a 36V drive. So, if the body and frame are in good condition, and you like the cart, upgrading it may be well worth the effort and expense.

An Alltrax XCT48400-PDS controller, a MZJ400 solenoid and a minimum of 4Ga high current cables (all 10 of them) will take the cart to the low 20's for speed on stock height (18") tires, but your cart is lifted so it may be higher due to taller tires.

Depending on the tire height, the stock motor might be adequate, but if they are more than about 22", the stock motor will be overworked.