Troubleshooting Club Car Golf Cart: Gas-Electric, 36-48 Volt

I had to do a little research to troubleshoot my wife’s club car precedent over the weekend after it broke down.

After much work and piecing together this and that, I got the cart working again with enough info on Troubleshooting Club Car Golf Cart that I’d love to share.

This is why I have created this guide on troubleshooting club car golf cart problems.

Troubleshooting Club Car Golf Cart

The guide below explains everything that you need to know about troubleshooting Club Car Golf Cart:

1. Club Car Electric Golf Cart Troubleshooting.
2. Club Car Gas Golf Cart Troubleshooting.
3. 36 Volt Club Car Golf Cart Troubleshooting.
4. 48 Volt Club Car Golf Cart Troubleshooting.

If you use a Yamaha cart, this might help with Yamaha Electric Golf Cart Troubleshooting.

1. Club Car Electric Golf Cart Troubleshooting

The more you use your Club Car electric golf cart, you will begin to face some problems. I will present them and address each problem and the corresponding troubleshooting Club Car Golf Cart guide.

Club Car Controller Troubleshooting

One of the reasons why your electric golf cart won’t run is that your controller is bad. The following steps will help you in troubleshooting  Club Car Golf Cart:

• Check if your batteries are old or worse, dead. If they are not, get them charged and try to start the golf cart.
• If your batteries are charged but the cart won’t move, you will hear a clicking sound which could be an indication that the solenoid is working. If there’s no sound, then it is from the accelerator.
• Check all the wiring for any damages.
• Proceed to buy another controller.

When You Buy Another Controller

• Use hand tools and not power tools to avoid over-tightening.
• Ensure that you disconnect power from the batteries to avoid electrical accidents.
• Check each wire and note where they stay and don’t let them come in contact with each other.

Club Car Ignition Switch Troubleshooting

Extensive usage of your ignition switch will definitely cause damage over time and lead to improper use. There might be problems with the ignition switch wiring.

The wires can experience wear and tear and even cut and will need to be replaced.

You can test your key switch using a voltmeter. The voltmeter should have a voltage reading on one wire always and the other wire should only have voltage when the switch is turned on.

Club Car Fuse Troubleshooting

If your golf cart refuses to start, it could be the fuse. It is best to check the fuse first when performing an electrical diagnosis. If the fuse is blown, get a new one. If the fuse is not blown, or it blows soon after you replaced it, then it could be something else.

Club Car Wiring Troubleshooting

You should also consider that if your cart refuses to start, it could be that some of the wirings has cut or corroded and so you need to replace it immediately. Using faulty wires can damage the key switch system and even cause your fuse to blow.

Club Car Forward/Reverse Switch Troubleshooting

The forward/reverse switch determines which direction the golf cart moves, forward or backward. This switch is one of the highly used parts in a golf cart, which means it will likely undergo wear and tear. When you determine that the issue is the switch, it will need to be replaced.

Battery Troubleshooting

Make sure your batteries are corrosion free always. Check all the cables and terminals for corrosion frequently by searching for funny-looking stuff growing on any exposed metal.

A battery cleaner and brush will do the trick. I highly recommend this:

You may also like this article on What Should My Golf Cart Charger Read when Fully Charged

2. Club Car Gas Golf Cart Troubleshooting

The Club Car gas cart is usually more suitable for carrying heavy loads and moving along rougher terrains. It is necessary to troubleshoot it regularly to determine why it may not be performing optimally.

The following steps should be taken for Club Car Gas Golf Cart Troubleshooting:

1. Wash the cart properly, ensuring that dirt and debris are removed to prevent their accumulation and interference with normal operation, and do not spray too much water on the engine.
2. Your gas golf cart cannot run without fuel so check the gas tank to ensure there is enough fuel for it to run properly.
3. Always use fresh fuel. Make sure to never use old fuel which has been stored previously for a long time. 
4. Check the oil level and ensure that it is at or just above the add or fill maker. 
5. If there is not enough oil, add oil and only use the oil that the manufacturers recommend.
6. Check the water level and fill it with distilled water if there is not enough water.
7. Remove the air filter from the engine and clean out dust and debris from it.
8. Remove the carburetor and use spray cleaner on it as well as the throttle linkage, which is below the carburetor and then reassemble the air filter to the engine.
9. Make sure the cables of the battery are well connected. Tighten all loose cables with a wrench and use a brush to remove any form of corrosion from the terminals.
10. Check all the wiring for wear and cuts and repair them using electrical tape.
11. Make sure that the switches are well connected and secure any loose connections with pliers, or electrical tape or tighten with a screwdriver.

3. 48 Volt Club Car Golf Cart Troubleshooting

The most common problems associated with a 48 volt Club Car golf cart include Battery Issues, Motor Failure, Light Failure, Controller Failure, Solenoid problems, and Forward and Reverse Switch Problems. We have already handled some of these issues earlier so we will talk about:

• Motor Failure.
• Light Failure.
• Solenoid Problems.

Motor Failure

Your motor can fail as a result of long-time use, improper maintenance, or loose connections. Motor failure is one of the leading problems that when fixed could help in troubleshooting Club Car Golf Cart. To fix this problem:

• Make sure all the connections are tight and secure. If connections are loose, the motor will not receive power to work.
• You should check your motor regularly because it gets damaged after long use, and the joints can decay. If the motor is damaged, replacing it is the solution.

Light Failure

When your lights stop working or become dim, you can be sure it is a problem. To fix this:

• When your bulbs get damaged, replace them.
• Sometimes, it could be that the fuse is blown out. Replace it.
• Check for loose connections and tighten and repair or replace any cracked wire.
• The DC converter might need replacement too.

Solenoid Problems

The solenoid is a coil of wires that transfers power from the motor of the golf cart to the switches. If the solenoid develops faults, the starter switch and ignition switch will not work.

To fix solenoid problems:

1. Disconnect and tightly reconnect all the connections.
2. Carefully check the circuit and if you find any frayed or cracked wire, replace it.
3. If the coil is burnt due to regular use, you must replace the solenoid with a new one.

36 Volt Club Car Golf Cart Troubleshooting

For 36 Volt Club Car Golf Cart Troubleshooting, follow the same steps as listed above for 48v carts as the problems are common between both of them.

The problems of the 36 volt Club Car golf cart are the same with the 48 volt Club Car golf cart. They are still:

• Motor Failure
• Light problems
• Solenoid issues
• Battery Issues
• Controller issues
• Forward and reverse switch issues

All these issues can be solved using the same process as the 48 volt Club Car golf cart.

Club Car Golf Cart Troubleshooting Manual

This is the Club Car Golf Cart Troubleshooting Manual.

Club Car Golf Cart Troubleshooting Wiring

If you notice a problem with the wiring of your Club Car golf cart, it could be a loose connection or a case of wear and tear on the wires. If this is the case: 

1. Open up the hood of your cart and check the wires connected to your controller.
2. Ensure that all the wires are screwed down and held in place.
3. Locate all the wires throughout that run to your engine and the accelerator.
4. Make sure you tighten all the connections.

If it is a case of wear and tear, you can use electrical tape to temporarily hold it while you go and purchase a new set of wires to replace the old ones.

Where is the Reset Button on A Club Car Golf Cart?

The reset button is located near the main power supply. All you need to do is to expose the motor using a screwdriver. The reset button will be a small red button located close to the power supply.

Conclusion

To be able to carry out all of the processes that have been listed above to help in troubleshooting Club Car Golf Cart, some common tools like a screwdriver and wrench should always be kept handy in your home. You never know when you might need them.

I hope you found this article on troubleshooting Club Car Golf Cart helpful.