Check the battery’s charge with a multimeter before testing the golf cart motor. Next, check the motor’s wiring and connections for damage. Without taking it out of the golf cart, you can check the motor’s condition and functionality with a multimeter, a jumper wire, and a 12-24 volt power source.
Are you experiencing some strange behavior with your golf cart? Are you worried that something might be wrong with the motor? Well, don’t panic just yet! While electric golf carts rarely give their owners any trouble and quietly get the job done, there are times when you suspect something might be wrong. Your golf cart’s motor could malfunction if the speed is erratic or there’s a burning wire odor.
It is simple to test the motor of a golf cart manually. However, manual testing can be challenging at times. The following measures will help you spot any functional issues with the golf cart. Load and continuity testers can then test the motor’s resistance and continuity. If you’re unfamiliar with the procedure, keep on reading.
How to test your golf cart motor: An end-to-end guide
You can test a golf cart’s engine in several ways. To achieve the most impressive outcomes, people should try out new approaches. In this article, we’ll share several practices that you can try to determine which one provides the best results.
The First Step: Check the Power Supply
You will need a lot of juice to test the cart’s motor. Ensure the golf cart’s battery is fully charged and potent before proceeding. It’s essential to check that the golf cart’s power source is working before adding more charges.
We can use golf cart motors for various tasks. Instead of reconditioning the golf cart’s engine, it would be easier to fix the problem using one of the rechargeable battery packs if the coach has multiple uses. Therefore, this approach is helpful. Golf Craving suggests the following steps:
Step A:
Initially, you will need a 120-volt tester for this task. Any electrical retailer will have it for sale or rent. Cleaning the probes is an excellent way to prevent unpleasant electrical shocks. One can use a clean towel to wipe down these areas.
Step B:
Insert the probes into the receptacle. Now press the 120-volt tester’s test button. If you can maintain a steady charge from the wall outlet, you shouldn’t have any problems. The availability of a power plug is not a cause for alarm.
Step C:
Attempt a recharge of the cart from a different outlet to evaluate its efficacy compared to the currently used outlet. If the test goes well, you can plug your golf cart into this outlet to keep it charged.
You’ll start the carts’ motor tests shortly, so please line up one position later. Before diving into the main testing procedure, remember to finish a few preliminary steps. Identify the rudimentary means by whereby one can avoid a catastrophic event.
The Second Step: Resetting the Motor
A cart could experience various minor issues from one era to the next. An easy remedy is to give yourself enough time to focus on them and avoid fighting the cart’s features. All of these problems can be solved by resetting the motor. In that case, how do you force the golf cart’s engine to restart? We can follow the steps of the Golf Cart Report,
Step D:
Find the “Reset” button on your motor. It’s crucial if we want to stop a disaster from happening. Your vehicle exterior houses this switch. Several different electric golf carts have this button on the exterior. The “Reset” label on the key could be there, but it could also be missing.
Step E:
You can reset the motor by pressing the button after successful localization of the motor’s reset button. Additionally, it would help if you tried to reboot the golf cart’s engine again. You can restart a golf cart with relative ease by performing this maneuver.
The Third Step: Test Terminals
Before proceeding, take pictures of the motor’s wiring for reference in the future. After taking photos of the motor wiring, check the terminals. With some effort, this is easy.
Step F:
Move to the vehicle’s rear to locate the motor underneath the golf cart. The motor’s upper front will have four wires. The battery wire terminals are A1, A2, S1, and S2. Write the port number on each motor wire before disconnecting it.
Step G:
Remove all the cables’ screws from the four rechargeable battery posts. Remove the electric motor wires and store the screws—Jumper the motor’s A1 bar to S1. Tighten the battery attachment nuts with the wrench.
Step H:
Connect a jumper cable’s negative lead to the fully charged 12-volt battery’s negative terminal. The electric motor’s S2 post receives the negative jumper cable’s other end.
Step I:
Connect the 12-volt battery’s positive wire. Connect the electric motor’s A2 connector’s negative wire. Once the positive battery connection attains the A2 connector, the engine and back wheels should spin. After checking the motor, detach the connectors and reconnect the battery cables.
Step Four: Test Motor Solenoid
Any motor’s solenoid is crucial. To keep a golf cart running, the solenoid distributes electrical power. To ensure the cart motor solenoid is in good condition, test it. This area has many issues. Each of them will damage your cart’s solenoid, forcing you to restore it.
If the solenoid fails, Take electrical tape, a 1/2-inch wrench, and a voltmeter. Test the motor solenoid by following these steps provided by the fun outdoors:
Step J:
Disrupt the cables from the two main solenoid terminals with the wrench. Gas golf cart terminals connect to the starter. The controller connects electric golf cart terminals.
Step K:
Wrap the cable ends in wiring tape to prevent fraying. Avoid accidental contact by keeping wires apart. Ensure the cart alignment switches are stable and the key is off.
Step L:
Set the voltmeter or multimeter to ohms and put one probe on each big terminal of the voltmeter. Voltmeters should read zero.
Step M:
Press the key, cast the direction switch forward, and press the accelerator. Listen for the solenoid’s clicking. If you hear a click, the big terminals should read 0–0.4 ohms with the voltmeter. Higher readings indicate defective solenoid contacts and should be supplanted.
Step N:
If you don’t hear the click, set the voltmeter to DC with a 200-volt range. Place the sensor on the solenoid’s tiny terminals. Turn the key, adjust the direction key to forward, and press the accelerator.
If the voltmeter reads zero, the solenoid is not the problem. The coil has declined when there is no button and full voltage. Replace the solenoid. Golf cart motors should be tested regularly to keep them running smoothly and improve performance.
FAQs
How to fix an electric golf cart?
Check the motor reset button and battery pack for overheating and voltage if your golf cart won’t start. If the voltage is off, check the charger, charge batteries individually when they are too low, and inspect and clean the terminals for corrosion to ensure power transmission.
Do all motors in golf carts get a reset button?
Most golf cart engines have a switch that doubles as a breaker in an emergency. By pressing it, the machine can be restarted. This button is found on the right of the motor display and stands out thanks to its bright color.
Quite how long does the motor on a golf cart last on electric?
The engine in a standard gas or electric golf cart can last for years if cared for. Unfortunately, many people need to give their golf cart engines the care they need.
How can I clean a golf cart motor?
Yes! A golf cart engine can be cleaned. If soap is used, it should be specifically designed for washing out golf cart engines. Cleaning solutions can damage the cart’s motor if not entirely removed with a dry towel or paper towel after use.
Why do motors stop working?
Loss of insulation around the windings and bearing wear are the most common causes of motor failure. On the contrary, several factors could combine to bring about such predicaments.
Final Words
Golfers know the importance of staying fit. Did you know that monitoring the electric golf cart’s motor is just as crucial as coach maintenance? Early detection and repair can save money and keep your golf cart ready for the next round.
Checking the motor reset button, battery pack, and oxidation is crucial to motor maintenance. These simple steps will maintain your golf cart’s motor. A well-maintained golf cart lets you focus on your game and ride smoothly around the course. So why not take the time to care for your golf cart and start benefiting on the course?