Even the most well-maintained golf car will have technical problems eventually. Still, it’s rather unfortunate if the problem is with your motor or engine. You have enough going on in your life without your golf car refusing to start when you turn the key in the ignition. If your golf car won’t start, is slower than it used to be, or is experiencing other technical problems, you could have a bad motor on your hands. Before resetting or replacing the motor, there are a few other parts you should check. Here’s how to tell if your electric golf cart motor is bad or if the problem has another source.
Test Your Batteries
When your golf car doesn’t start, it’s tempting to jump straight to the perceived problem area: the motor. But the issue could be a simpler one concerning another part of the car. Before checking its other parts, test the voltage of your batteries to make sure they’re working. If any of your batteries have a voltage that’s lower than usual, it will need to be replaced. While checking your batteries, it’s good to also check the voltage of the wall socket you use to charge your golf car.
Check the Solenoid
If your batteries are charged and in working condition, but your car still won’t start, check its solenoid. A solenoid is an electromagnetic coil of wire that transmits energy from your car’s battery to its motor to help it start. Every time you start your golf car, you should hear the click of the solenoid. If you don’t hear it, you probably have an issue with your solenoid. If you suspect an issue with the solenoid, take your car to a repair shop to have it repaired or replaced.
Examine the Potentiometer
If your car still won’t start or you notice any issues with acceleration, it’s time to check the potentiometer. The potentiometer sends an electric signal from the accelerator pedal to the speed controller, allowing the car to accelerate properly. Inspect the potentiometer and then test it out—if you discover any issues, have it repaired or replaced.
Check the Motor Itself
If you’ve checked all the above parts and none of them are responsible for your trouble, inspect the motor of the golf car itself. Sometimes, the issue can be resolved by simply resetting the motor. To reset your golf car’s motor, open the hood to expose your motor and look for the red reset button. Push this button and test out your golf car again. If this hasn’t solved the issue, your motor may be burnt out and will need to be replaced.
With the proper information, learning how to tell if your electric golf cart motor is bad isn’t hard. If you need any replacement parts, equipment to test your car’s current parts, or additional accessories, browse TNT Cart Parts’ collection of Madjax golf cart parts. You’ll find just the parts you need to repair or improve your golf car there.