What can go wrong in an electric golf cart?
A golf cart is one of the most popular and convenient modes of transportation for smaller communities and gated home developments. Individuals use golf carts for a wide variety of reasons. It originally started as a means to relieve the burden of carrying golf clubs on the course and has now evolved into a means of transportation. If interested in learning more about the type of golf cart that may be best suited for you, then feel free to download our book on how to buy a golf cart.
However, we all know that it is a machine and can eventually succumb to problems. Therefore, it is important that you know about the things that might go wrong in an electric golf car. This article will provide you with insight so that you can resolve issues before it is too late. So, to help you out here, we have a list of things that might go wrong in an electric golf car.
Batteries
Batteries can be one of the most common problems that take places in an electric golf car, however it doesn’t have to be with some proper education. When the vehicle is not properly charged and maintained, it will eventually lead towards the discharging and deterioration of the battery. So, make sure that you check the charging system before using the golf car daily and maintain water levels monthly. For more on proper battery care and maintenance, check out our article on cleaning golf cart batteries. If batteries are not being cleaned and maintained, then it is common for corrosion to build up on the batteries. We talk about this in more detail in our article 4 signs you to need replace your golf cart batteries.
Another helpful tip with batteries is to always know their age. Check out our article on Determining the Age of Batteries.
Ignition
When you love to play golf, then you will be regularly visiting golf courses. The continuous use of the golf car will lead to the following issues in the ignition.
- The wear and tear of the machinery behind the ignition
- Extensive usage will eventually damage the ignition switch and can lead to improper usage
- There also might be an issue with the wiring of the ignition switch
It is important that you inspect potential issues with the ignition switch of the golf cart regularly to save you the headache of a non-functioning golf cart.
Solenoid
It is one of the essential parts of the golf cart. It will let you know that you have started the car because of the clicking sound that it makes when you engage the accelerator pedal or turn the key switch on. However, it often stops working because of the following reasons:
- Corrosion
- Loose Wires
- Broken Internal Coil
It can cause the development of many other problems in the golf cart. So when you notice that the battery is full and there is no clicking noises upon start up, then make sure to inspect and troubleshoot the solenoid.
Direction Switch
There are special direction switches in the golf cart. It helps the person to move the car in a forward or reverse direction. However, with the extensive usage of the vehicle, the switch can become damaged and eventually breakdown.
Therefore, it is important that you look for signs indicating damage to direction switches. By keeping an eye on it, it will signify when it may be appropriate to replace it prior to having an issue. The worst situation would be if you are unable to change the direction of your golf cart in a round of golf.
Controller
The controller is responsible for controlling the speed of the golf cart and also handles all the information being transferred from the ignition switch to the batteries to the motor. Some refer to the controller as the brain of the golf cart. The most common issue that occurs in the controller is that it might become damaged because of the extensive usage. Apart from that, there might be a problem in the wires of the machinery. Overall though, controllers these days are quite reliable due to the advancement of technology. However, the older and more hours a vehicle has, the higher likelihood of potential replacement.
Keep in mind that it is one of the most difficult problems to diagnose and is one of the more expensive components in an electric golf cart. So, if you are having issues with the controller, do not experiment on the vehicle yourself and take it to a specialist who can properly diagnose the issue.
Bottom line
As now you are aware of the issues that might occur in your golf cart, make sure that you always get preventative maintenance. Also, with a few techniques, you can easily check the performance and machinery of your vehicle with visible inspection of parts and components yourself. If you are unable to solve the issue yourself though, then do not hesitate to talk to a nearby specialist. If you are unsure of golf cart specialist near you, then head on over to our dealer locator to check it out. On the other hand, if it is not possible to take it to a mechanic, then feel free to ask us a question. We are always here for you at Golf Cart Resource.
