Solenoid problems

[Newbie22]

At the trailer and don't have a multimeter with me to check voltage but I think I may have a solenoid problem.....
Cart won't move, fully charged battery's. When I step on the gas the solenoid clicks but cart won't move unless I tap the solenoid, then it jumps. Is it safe to say without using a multimeter that the solenoid is buggered?

[radioman]

It would be safe to suspect the solenoid. Make sure the wires on the big terminals are tight. With no voltmeter you might try replacing the solenoid. There should be a pre charge resistor across the two big terminals. Does it get hot when you press the pedal? If so that would be another reason to suspect the solenoid contacts are not making. If the resistor is missing that would point toward a solenoid with splattered contacts.

[Newbie22]

Yeah there never has been a resistor on this old thing. I found a solinoid I can try , 40 amp should be heavy enough?

[radioman]

I would recommend replacing the solenoid with a new one designed for golf carts and installing a resistor at the same time. You can try the one you have if it has a 36 volt coil but I don't think 40 amps is heavy enough. Any solenoid you use is not going to last long without the resistor. The resistor eliminates the sudden current inrush to the controller when the solenoid clicks by keeping the controller charged.

[TennBill]

I'm replacing the old resister board in my 36v '89 Marathon. Where does one get the resistor for the solenoid? Are they voltage related? Mine didn't have a resistor either.

[TennBill]

I just looked at the 'Vintage golf cart' site. They show a resistor, but it says it's for carts with electronic speed controller. I'm guessing, then, The old board type doesn't need one?

[scottyb]

Correct

[radioman]

Some old carts may not use the resistor. If cart has a electronic speed controller it needs a resistor. Some carts use different value resistors. A 36 volt cart generally uses uses a 470 ohm ten watt resistor.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by radioman

Some old carts may not use the resistor. If cart has a electronic speed controller it needs a resistor. Some carts use different value resistors. A 36 volt cart generally uses uses a 470 ohm ten watt resistor.

correction:
A 36v system uses 250-280 Ω resistor and the 48v system uses a 470 Ω precharge resistor. We generally use the 470 Ω resistor in the 42v system.

[radioman]

Originally Posted by scottyb

correction:
A 36v system uses 250-280 Ω resistor and the 48v system uses a 470 Ω precharge resistor. We generally use the 470 Ω resistor in the 42v system.

Thanks for correction.